The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1902-12-11

| numerous vessels. some anchored out
| in the river, others tied up at the
F.. docks, Voices. too. come over the Wa
| ter from the wcSt-men are singing
! on some OF the coasters that ascend
the river from the Mediterranean. Al
the typical beats seen upon this grea,
sea can bn found on the lower Nile
Here are schooners. brigs. ships, men
| of-war-the haggala. felucca. Xehec
| settce and even patamer from India
whiic numerous smaller craft and
dahabeahs suited to travel Oh the Nile
| dot the surface Of the river by day
making q scene worth remembering
Our two frineds can discern moth
| ing Of this now since darkness rests
| like n pail over the water, relieved
only by the riding lights and lamps on
board the numerous craft. Their at
tention is directed at once to 4 point
Immediately below, where the gleam
Of several lights proclaims the pres
ence of a boat.
AS they advance, they make out the
clean-cut model Of new dahabeah
and can see the dark-skinned Egypt
ian sailors squatted on deck forward
while aft. the cabin, painted snow
white, is easily distinguishable.
The boat is tied to dilapidated
~ Cor some reason. it is also
rang-plank leads from the shore on
board. Sandy orders the torch-1earer
to lead the way, and in order to make
sure of the fellows attendance when
they have need OF his services again,
neg!ccts 10 pay him.
Thus they trip across the plank and
reach the roof Of the cabin. where
the captain meets them-a man with
crizZled beard, white turban and flow
Ing robes. Upon his face Sandy reads
look o. pcrplcxity and disappoint-
mcnt, and from this moment he knows
the truth-tlat they really owe their
adventure to this reis. who. believing
millionaire Tanner would come to the
boat. arranged to have his pockets
tapped while en- route.
These captains all talk fairly good
English, although their hatred for
the foreigner seems to be an Inherit
ed quality. Outwardly they may ap-
pear jolly and as meek as lambs, but
inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
Sandy has habit Of pushing him.
self forward: not that lie means to
be rude, but it is a characteristic Of
his impetuous nature. To his credit
be it said, the same thing urges him
OH in times of danger. He Is always
found in the van.
This boat is the Alice" he asks
boldly.
The captain removes the stem of his
long nipe from his mouth, and grave
ly mods his head in an affirmative way.
I'VE have come direct from Mr.. Tan
ner, to whom you are engaged for tie
season"
Another solemn nod.
unable TO come himself, lie has sent
us to see the man you picked UP on
the Mica man who was once my
friend"
The native captain looks at him
closely, as though mentally figuring
lust where he should place Sandy.
Then he smiles blandly and holds out
his hand.
IF his friend, then mine. / have
suffered at the hands Of El Mahdi.
and he who is an enemy to the False
Prophet is my brother. Shaker
Sandy complies, ard gives the old
reis such q Freemason grip that II
wrings a groan from the dark-skinncd
owner of the dahabeah Alice.
"Now lead us to your guest. We
are in haste" he says, with an as
sumption of authority that no one
ventures TO dispute; for, despite his
lack of majestic proportions, the war
correspondent has the air of one born
to command 1t is not stature that
makes a leader like Napoleon.
Follow, gentlemen, says tne cap
tain, with a majestic wave OF bis
hand.
They obey willingly. The door OF
the cabin is close by. On either side
are the steps leading to the promenade
on the roof. over which al awning is
stretched, for it is here that the tour
list lives during The day. for the cabin,
beginning am:dships. extends 20 the
stern. When the cabio-door is opened
they behold 4 splendid interior. Money
has not been spared in fitting out the
I'd only a millionaire like Tan
ner cou,G engage such lovely craft
for the season.
a lamp is tsrned low. so that some
thing Of a dimness rests upon the IN
terror, but the sharp eyes OF Sandy
have already discovered the figure OF
man upon a divan.
Enter. gentlemen" says the old
reis.
Straight across the luxurious cabin
strides the newspaper correspondent
=, yox>,,> with n fI1fp