The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1902-12-11
MYNHEER JOE.
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BY ST. GEORGE RATHBoRNE.
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| Fortunate. until they finally proceed
to openly rob their victim.
Stand back cries Sandy with n
roar. as he swings the flambeau around
/ his head.
They understand enough English to
know what he is saying-at any rate,
his actions are doubly significant
but, believing they can rule the ranch
by mere force of numbers, the ragged
beggars continue to push forward,
thus her,ming the two whites in.
Although small in point of stature,
Sandy is a warrior, every inch Of him,
and, as might be expected from his
nervous manner, possessed Of an in
fammable temper. When the near
est OF the rogues pushes within
reaching distance and clutches at him
with bony fingers. the newspaper man
brings the flaming torch. with 4 re-
sounding hump, against the top OF the
becsar's head. 1t does not affect the
link. beyond sending forth a shower
of sparks. but re unfortunate recip-
lent of the blow. finding sparks in his
long hair, utters vociferous shouts and
dances with the fervor Of a deriish.
This is deemed a signal for gen.
eral assault all along the line, and for
the space of sixty seconds there is
seen a spectacle rarely equaled in the
narrow streets Of old Cairo.
At first the two foreigners are avcrSe
to using their firearms, and endeavor
to inspire terror in the breasts Of their
enemies by a generous exhibition Of
muscle.
When Sandy has to dodge 6endish
blow from q wicked dagger he thinks.
it about time they proceeded to sterner
measures.
Sandy opens on the rag-tag-and-
bob.tail crowd, as he terms them, seek
ing to infict wounds and create di1
version. He is Immediately backed
up by his companion. His strong,
white teeth hold fast to his cigar, and
even as he lets drive ct dark-faced
fc!lah who seeks 20 cleave him with
an Algerian yataghan. the silver king
pufrs out small cloud of smoke. Talk
about coolness. Here YOU have 1t in
human iceberg. Sandy holds his
breath while looking at this strange
companion, and wonders whether he
would show excitement in the heat OF
battle.
This sort of reception is hardly to
the liking of the cowardly ours who
have appeared daring simply because
their numbers gave them confidence.
At the first shot most Of them be-
gan to glance over their shoulders.
This is sure sign Of desire to re-
treat. Then comes hotter work. Sandy
no longer waits for them to come. but
with his revolver in one hand and the
flaming torch whirling about his head
he leaps toward the footpads.
This l.; too much for them-they break
and fly with cries of terror. some
springing up the street while others
60 down In the direction Of the river.
In n marvelously short space Of time
the street In empty save for one poor
fellow, who, shot in the leg, Is hop
ping off as fast as his good leg will
carry him. calling on Mohammed to
save him from the H.reign tigers.
In any under city under the sun,
Euch commotion at dead of night
would create an intense excitement
Not so in Cairo. The white walls shut
them in, pierced by minute windows.
that allow little chance of street gaZ-,
ing. Those who hear the sounds of
war are discreet enough to know that
it is none Of their business, and they
will be better Off away.
Look out behind you, sir" calls
Sandy, and the silver king turns sud
denly to cover creeping figure that
has advanced from n darkened arch
way, whereupon the most piteous jar
gon is heard, and behold the suspected
assassin turns out to be their torch
bearer. who, having witnessed the hot
little affair from place of security.
Is now crawling back to resume his
interrupted duties.
They welcome him gladly, and Sandy
relieves himself of the lambeau, glad
to be rid Of it. AS there are no more
footpads in view to give them battle,
| they again take up their line Of march
for the river. fortunately close at hand.
Mr.. Grimes has had explicit direc-
tions from Mr.. Tanner how to reach
the boat, and n suspicion has already
entered his head that the ambuscadc
into which they ran might have been
arranged by the re.S Of tie sailing
craft 20 relieve his rich employer o.
-upprauouS wealth: These Arabs ana
| natives are M to al manner Of tricks
to gain filthy luce. and old travellers
become so accustomed 20 treachery
that Gley are surprised 1t nothing, and
learn 10 depend upon themselves Gu
TREY.
He even mentions tie f;'"t. as it oc-
ours to him. TO Sandy. who declares
the.e is Il strong element Of probabil-