The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1902-12-25

ract we Were not moleSted. Then q
troop of scouting followers Of the
Mahdi sighted Us. and riding into the
river attempted to take the steamer.
I'VE had prepared for this. There
was q small cannon on board, which
we kept III readiness for just such an
emergency as this, and when we sent
its contents into the midst of the black
rascals they scattered to the winds.
Below, we mad another fight, and
this time they very nearly took the
vessel, but lur fire was a trife too
warm, and they finally allowed US to
so on.
"As we drew near the cataract we
knew we would have to abandon the
little steamer. but we had determined
to continue the voyage in her light
yawl, which could be carried around
the cataract hy two stout men.
This was finally done. and we kept
on down the river Fortune had been
kind until now. We ran upon some
hippopotami, and in rage one OF the
monsters crushed our boat. 1t was In
the night. l believe my poor kassee
must have fallen victim TO the say
ace beasts, for saw him no more.
MY own escape was very nlracu'
lous. landed a mile down tie stream.
At break of day l pushed Oh. Fate
threw NE in with q native, who car
r!ed me as far us the First Cataract
IN his boat. Here l met an English
h-atcc, bold fellow who, with some
guides, had been up the river shooting
river horses. rs he called the hippo
potami.
He was Mortified 1T my news, and
gladly gave me a place in his comfort
able boat, after which we set out for
Cairo, hundreds of miles away.
".All went we'll until we were about
two days run above the city. when
sudden suuall took us unawares; tie
boat capsized, and 1 found myself
wrecked again in Tie darkness.
Il spent weary hours clinging to the
hatch which had somehow come un-
der my hands. Several times boats
came near me in the morning, but 10
one would take me off. They pre-
tended not to hear me; in fact, L
might as well have been thousand
miles away for all they noticed me.
You see, they have dread of being
held as witnesses, and if part OF
boats crew is lost there must be 4
legal inquiry, which will compel them
to be in town and lose time from their
work.
AS the day was passing felt that |
must leave my raft and try to gain the
distant shore, where the railroad runs
unless soon rescued. Just then this
boat came down the river, running
close by. l. called to the captain, tell
ing him / was from Khartoom. with
news Of Gordon; he at once put about
and came to my rescue. The rest you
already know, my friends
Thus Mynheer Joe finishes his story.
1t has not taken a great while to tell
the facts, but volumes could be filled
with the details. He cndeavors to
control himself when speaking Of Cor
don's death, but 1t is evident that
event has made powerful impression
on the sturdy explorer, who so often
has fought side by side with the Chris
tian hero.
Sandy has ceased making his hicro-
glyphics upon the pages of his note
book. His face beams with enthusiasm
at the thought Of being first with this
authentic account Of Gordon's death.
At the same time, out of respect for
the feelings of Mynheer Joe, he en-
deavors to subdue this mark Of jour
na,istic pride and appear sober, but it
is really beyond him.
AS for Mr.. CRIMES. he has observed
The narrator with deep interest ali the
while he tells OF the strange things
which happened to him. Whatever is
passing in the mind OF the silver king
he does not allow it to be shown upon
his face, which is as CXpreSSionlcss us
that Of the Sphinx.
The messenger from khartoom Sis
there tor q brief interval. with that
look of sadness on his face. as though
the thoughts surging through his mind
have been too much for him.
Come, rouse yourself, my boy! You
are among friends at last. thank
heaven, and will be the lion Of Cairo
when it is publicly known that YOU
were with gallant Gordon when he
fell" says Sandy, but the other holds
up his hand. and says quietly:
THAT is a distinction l Go not crave.
Somehow l feel guilty in not leaving
my body beside Gordon. At best, |
see nothing to boast Of in having es-
capped his fate"
The brave are ever modest" says
Sandy. at least, you will make re-
port to the proper officials tomorrow
and verify my dispatches:'
EYES q very brief one. That is only