The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-22
By A. LAURIE.


it would be possible to pick out hun
dred honest fellows. and form them into
a trustworthy battalion of sharpshoot-
ers?'
Mabrouh shook his gray head.
There is perhaps one way of get
ting good soldiers" said he. after
minutes deep reflection. We might try
to secure the late guard OF Zebehr, IL
the Mahdi has not already done so"
What are they"
Negroes from the Great Lake coun-
try, whom zebehr. the king of the
slave traders has armed and equipped
for his own person-I service. On the
ruin of his trade the guard was dis
banded, and is now at large. have
no doubt that they would willingly take
service"
Think yOu that these men would be
faithful"
1 am certain OF it. They are spIen-
did soldiers There is a whole village
Of them at the oasis of Gandara. two
days journey from here"
Well. Mabrouki. I give you full DOW
ers. Go at once and enroll q hundred
picked men on what you consider fair
conditions. and bring them to me-"
They shall be here in four DAYS. sir. g"
said Msbrouki.
The three commissioners also took
counsel together.
You see it is impossible" said Cos
terus. ito come to terms with This
Frenchman. We must take strong
measures"
How
I will manage it. We are all agreed
are we not?-upon one poInt-that it
is impossible to remain here?''
Most decidedly"
1T will never do to go and leave the
Frenchman master OF the situation.
neither can we very well carry him OF.
bodily. II would excite suspicion were
he quietly to disappear. There is only
one alternative-to drive him away BY
instigating the workmen to revolt. It
would not be very difficult. Judging
from certain indications.
But would We not be the first VIC
tims?"
NO. not if we are careful to let the
Arabs know that we sympathize with
them. You are aware that l have been
studying their Language for a year past;
it is. indeed. my only amusement in this
miserable country"
Yes. yes"
Wen. l vote that we don the Arab
dress and so among the men in the even
ings. I will let them know that we have
embraced their creed. and that we are
With them in everything"
1T seems good idea. and we may as
well try IL
IL less than eight days the workshops
Will be deserted We shall make our
way 70 Berber, draw up an Official report,
and return in triumph via the Nile. first
TO London and then to Melbourne. Should
the FreDchman refuse to follow US. the
Mahdi viii soon rid US of him. or else the
will. I will answer for that.
o. my name is not Costerus Wagner"
'Costerus. you are a brick," exclaimed
both his comrades. as they resumed
their pipes.
Four days went by without incident.
At length Mabrouki returned. with
bis habitual prudence. he had encamped
his recruits three miles from TehbaH.
wishing Norbert TO inspect them before
they were definitely engaged. The as
tronomer and Sir Bucephalus set of at
once.
1t was O'Clock in the evening. The
negroes had just finished their frugal re-
past Of roasted maize. and seated in a
circle were singing to the accompaniment
of the tom-tom. Well grown. athletic
young men, supple as reeds and strong
as lions. they were evidently the very
flower OF the country from which Zebehr
had torn them in their infancy. They
wore short trousers OF panther skin and
camel skin helmets. and were armed only
with a shield and a bundle Of spears.
Where is the chief?' asked Norbert.
as he came UP to them. Mabrouh having
duly proclaimed his name and ,itIe.
young negro more richly accoutcred
than the rest came forward
Il am Chaka. the black pasha Of the
Great Lakes" he said with dignity.
art thou and thy men disposed 10
enter my service?" asked Norbert
I'VE are. and you Will find us good
and faithful soldiers. Mabrouki has
fixed the terms You may rest assured
that we shall do our duty"
The matter is arranged, then. Ma
brouki has spoken we'll"
Chaka gave an order to his troop. who
came forward one by one and bowed