The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-02-20
CHAPTER I.

"When the time came to land, IN
order to save the city from the moD'
Arab being defeated, found myself
thrown in the company Of one VINO
was a stranger to me. He came from
a British warship. Liked his looks
from the first, and side by side we
went through tile streets Of AleXan-
dria. Firing all around us got in
numerous little engagements; was
once surrounded by pack of bowling
native troops, who thought they could
wipe US out. Mr.. Grimes, you missed
the sight of your life in failing to see
how Gordon's friend stood off those
ours. Bless my soul! I can shut my
eyes and look on the whole thing yet.
/ never saw such fire-eater in action,
and yet in repose Joe is as meek as
q lamb.
After that I froze to him. We saw
some weeks in company-weeks 1 have
never forgotten, because I loved that
man. Then I was ordered to watch
the Italian operations about Abys-
sinia, while Joe went to find Chinese
Gordon. I lost track of him, but have
never ceased to feel the deepest in
terest in his work, as an explorer Sec
ond only to Stanley and Emin Pasha.
Now you can understand my intense
delight upon hearing that the man
we are going to see is no other than
my comrade in Alexandria, Mynheer
Joe."
This is about the longest consecutive
narrative Mr.. Grimes has ever heard
Sandy give utterance to, which marks
the power of that magical name. On
his part, the silver king does not prove
so confiding. He speaks Of the man
who interests them both as though
acquainted with his past; but wheth-
er he has personally met him, Sandy
finds it impossible to say.
Meanwhile, they have been making
progress in the direction of the river.
A light of some sort is positively need
ed in these streets after nightfall, moon
or no moon, on account of the peculiar
custom of building.
The houses, as a general rule, are
three stories in height AS the street
itself is bu. an alley, barely ten feet
in width, and each story of the houses
project beyond the one below it, it is
easy to shake hands from the neighbor-
ing roofs. Even this small space is
often covered with mats, to keep out
the garish light of day, which, reflect
ed from the white walls, daZZles the
eyes.
In these narrow streets men stand
In groups engaged in discussion or bar
ter, now and then gently pushed aside
by the nose of some camel advancing
silently, the ship Of the DESERT be-
ing, besides the donkey, the only bur-
den-bearer allowed in the native sec
tion.
Here and there light Is seen NOV
ing along, as some sheik proceeds
homeward; but, as general thing,
darkness hangs over the street. In
many Of the houses, no doubt, gayety
abounds; but Arab and Moor believe
in keeping their homes sacred from the
public, and only huge piles of whitened
bricks lie on every side.
AS yet they have met with no adven-
ture, and the distance between the
grand square and the river has been
diminished by half. This savors of
rare good luck, for it is not always
that Frank can traverse this region,
at such al hour, unmolested.
Cairo abounds in rascals who do not
fear the English law, however much
they may respect the native koorbash
and stocks. 1t is not sin or a crime
to rob q foreigner-unless caught in
the act. That is the way they look
at it.
Sandy knows this, if his companion
does not happen to be so thoroughly
posted with regard to the customs of
the city on the Nile. He continues to
keep his eyes about him, and does
not let the Arab who carries the fam
beau get beyond his reach, knowing
that In all probability in case of an
attack the first act of the duSky ras-
cal will be to fly and leave them in
darkness to meet the foe. They have
even cut down the distance to a
fourth and soon the light will fall
upon the waters of the river, when
the war correspondent bends suddenly
forward and snatches the torch from
the hand of the astonished carrier.