The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-06-05
CHAPTER XIII.
ECOntinI1ed.1

race. with a wind like this, their craft
could gain the advantage by blanket
ing" the other and cutting off her sup
ply of wind, but this will not pay un-
der present conditions.
Although Joe has made the condi-
tions of the duel, being the challenged
party he really leaves the selection of
the ground to his rival, having only
stipulated that it shall be among the
hills that lie above Cairo.
Sandy and Mr.. Grimes stand to-
gether near the bow of the vessel, lis
tening to the music of the water as
her PROV cuts through the tide or the
Nile like knife, curling the foamy
suds on either side and hurting them
back in rolls.
Both of them are duly impressed
with all their romantic surroundings,
and the war correspondent is jotting
down ideas in his mind that will be
called upon to supply space in some
forthcoming article. At the same time
it is evident he has something worry
ing him.
Mr.. Grimes is quick to notice such
things, as he has made business OF
reading faces.
whats wrong, Sandy?" he asks alb
ruptly, as he removes his cigar to flip
the ashes from the end with his dex-
ferrous little finger.
"Who said so? How did you know?
Hang it, Mr.. Grimes, you read men as
I would books. You may have buried
yourself out in Colorado-you took
good care to study human nature"
"Then you confess you are bothered,
nv boy?" continued the other, stead
lily.
"Well, yes, I've been wondering.
You see, we know this baron is sly
schemer?'
Admitted"
"And not to be trusted out Of sight"
Ordinarily should not dare to put
my life in his charge. You're right,
Sandy"
well, we've let him select the spot
for the affair. How can we tell but
what he may spring some shrewd
game Oh US. Can you promise that
yonder dahabeah has not half dozen
hired assassins on board, ready to an
initiate US in case the baron feels the
necessity"
Mr.. Grimes laughs. and there is
reinsurance in his manner that speaks
for itself.
SANDY give over worrying. / be-
lieve the strongest proof we can have
that the baron means no treachery is
his astonishing confidence in himself.
He has fought duels before and be-
lieyes himself invincible. Hence 1t
seems q picnic, walk-over to him."
VERY true, very true, sir, but you
must admit there is chance that
always that my boy, but you also
forget something Of interest - our
selves: What are we here for" as
member from the South asked IN
Republican convention. If Joe can
take care of the baron, surely we will
be able to look after his friends, be
they two in number or Dozen"
"Well spoken, Mr.. Grimes. My mind
Is already clear on that point. l be-
lieve we wD1 come out Of this thing
with flying colors. My trouble has
vanished even as the smoke OF this
cigar fades into space"
Sandy is himself again, and that
means CHEEKY friend, a faithful COM
rade, one whom Mynheer. Joe could
not better were he to search the globe
over
AS the daylight grows stronger the
moon wanes in power; it is no longer
strife between the two as to which
must win, for Luna is already out of
the battle.
Cairo is left far behind upon the
east bank and, looking back, they can
see the first shafts of sunlight glinting
from her numerous domes, although
the mighty god Of day has not yet
shown his smiling face to those upon
the River Nile.
1t is a strange spectacle, and one
that appeals to the artistic in their
natures, but all of them are very ia
miliar with the scene, so that the des-
ert, the pyramids, the city Of the four
hundred mosques, its queer people and
the storied Nile itself-all these things
do not appear so strange to their eyes
as would be the case were they new
comers to the land Of Egypt.
Besides, their mission is of such a
nature that their thoughts are bound
to stray to it from time to time-when
men are bent on an errand of deadly
character they are not expected to
laugh and joke as if going to we'd
ding.
Come back to the cabin, Sandy. I
think we would be wise to examine
our firearms. Nothing like making
sure that everything is in working or
der. These hyenas and jackals Of the
desert strike with amazing quickness
when they do show up. Come"
His words are significant, and his
companion has no difficulty in under
standing. Together they pass the sail
ors squatted about on the forward
,:rck, after their usual manner whep
noi at work. These fellows are
labs, and not the best-looking chaps
Mr.. Grimes has set eyes OIL. He gives
Sandy 4 nudge, but this wideawakc
newspaper man has already noted the
fac.
Zine collection Of buzzards, eh?
EIus: say the captain has looked far
AID wide to find a game set. They'd
Egilt. too. I reckon" he whispers.
tNhnr find I,.nhnn,. Inn lNinr nnnn