The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-03-13
CHAPTER ".
TCOntinued.1


"BIt you will come with us now
that is, IL you feel able?" asks Sandy,
who, having nobly given up all his
chances OF winning the prizc-they
were about equal to one grain of sand
in comparison with the seashore-de-
sires to bring the conqucring hero to
his fate.
II feel like q new man. That meal
was the first decent one I've enjoyed
for months. While the men lived on
coarse food, Gordon would not allow
the officers to feast. One thing. how
ever. may prevent me from going with
you
Whats that:" asked both the 9th
ers.
"My clothes arc in dilapidated con-
dition. See, here 4 yataghan cut
piece out entirely; it would have taken
my leg, also, if better anied. I don't
remember where they came from, so
I must have received them during the
engagement. 4 few trifing wounds
under them have healed up, and l am
feeling very we'll, thank you. In day
time I can draw money from the bank
here in Cairo and buy what l need.
Meantime, you will have to excuse
me to the young lady"
"Hang me If will. Well find some
other means OF reaching the same re-
suit" cries Sandy, who is great hand
for surmountin2 obstacles.
Mr.. Grimes here put in his oar in
the quiet way he has. Stepping up,
he places himself alongside the in
trepid explorer.
Just about one size, I believe" he
remarks.
"Yes, it is so," says Sandy, with a
chuckle, for he has always had the
reputation Of being able to see through
q grindstone with hole in the centre.
"Then consider the matter settled.
The gentleman will accompany us to
Shepherds; he will so with me to my
room and select from several travelling
suits 1 keep on hand"
But this is too much"
Il never accept a refusal, Mynheer
Joe; so look upon it as arranged"
with q wave of the hand that prince
might envy.
The explorer looks at him curiously
for a few seconds, and then gives in.
II thank you, sir. l will accept the
loan until morning comes and the
bazaars OPEN"
"Good" calculated the newspaper
man. "And now let's be tramping
back to the hotel. Left the beggar
with the light on deck. Hope he hasn't
been tossed into the Nile. Glad to see
you meet Molly. Hanged if I
wouldn't! Then I've got an hours
work making up and sending my dis
patch. I fancy one man in Cairo will
want to cut his throat in the morn
Ing. 'Tisn't often the Herald gets
left"
He is all excitement, and there IS
no need of further delay. Mynheer
Joe turns to the reis.
"Ben Hassan Effendi, shall remem-
ber your kindness always" he says
taking the brown hand Of the old cap
tain.
Il am already repaid. 1 hate Ell
Mahdi. You were his enemy. 1t
pleases me to help one who did him
injury. Kismet! 1t is fate" says the
Arab.
ION the morrow, if by chance you
see my faithful Kassee come floating
down the river on a raft, send him to
Shepherds Hotel. You will know him
from his voice. 1t is like the whistle
of locomotive"
But you said he was drowned"
cries Sandy. II have it down SO in
black and white"
II trust you may have to alter it,
for somehow l can't force myself to
believe him as one dead. Now 1 am
ready, gentlemen"
They pass out of the cabin aud
reach the deck OF the dahabeah, where
the link-bOy is found in conversation
with the crew, the members Of which
are naturally curious to discover all
they can about the stranger they
picked up in the river, who cried out
that he was from Khartoom before
Ben Hassan could rescue him. They
might as we'll question one of Coiro's
four hundred mosques as this lad. He
can and does tell them about the gal
liant fight made by the two Franks
when aSsailed by the mob Of beggars
in the street, but knows nothing of
their relations to the guest of the reis.
The flambeau-bearer goes ahcad,and,
one by one, the others wall: the nar-
row plank that stretches from the roof
Of the cabin to the bank. When all
are safely landed, they strike off
through the same street where the
previous engagement took place. Evil
dently these men are not made of ma
terial to shrink from any hidden dan
ger. If the rascals who lay in wait
for them before choose to try conclu-
sions q second time, doubtless they
will find means to accommodate them.
They are not moleStcd while en-
route. Once or twice they see shad-
OWy figures glide from dark arches
ahead and vanish in the gloom, who,
in all probability, belong to the same
gang with which they had their form
er adventure; but the fellows have
received too severe q lesson to think
of enduring such rough handling 4
second time.
Presently, the lights Of the grand
square fame up beyond. Here, at
least. darkness does not hold sway
over the old city Of Cairo. The vari-
ous sounds that greet the car in this
quarter are, indeed. refreshing, after