The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-03

and he in return detailed the news of
Gordon and Khartoum
THE MahdIst bands" he began. must
have cut or intercepted the telegraph
wires as soon as the town was invested,
for the messages that reached us after
ward left no doubt as TO their origin.
The general had thrown up numerous
earthworks and raised fifty more
batteries to guard against a surprise.
Day and night he was occupied with the
discipline and we'll being of his troops,
constantly reviewing them. In a few
weeks time the good results of this sur
veilance were most evident. But all his
efforts were foredoomed to failure if no
army OF relief came, for without this as
sistance the fall of Khartoum could only
be question of time
1.-The English government were so dill
atory about the matter, Notwithstanding
his repeated earnest representation,
that General Gordon took the only
course left to him-he resolved to ap-
peal to the whole of the civilized world.
whose interest 1t might be not to per-
nit the Soudan to fall into the hands
of the Mahdi, and he asked me to un-
dertake the commission. 1 felt honored
in accepting the brave hero's commits
sion, which has not been without its
dangers so far, for before reaching the
English lines our gunboat was fired
at no less than seventeen times be-
tween the confluence of the two Niles
and Dongola.
However, we have arrived here
safely. 1 must now press on TO Paris,
as I promised Gordon, and make an
appeal through the press to all the
friends OF civilization, that some con-
certed plan of action may be arranged.
do you think. DOCTOR" added Ker-
sain. after he had told his story, that
Gertrude could accompany me with
out fear for her health? Summer is at
hand
Gertrude might go to Lapland now
if she likes," cried the doctor do
you not see what roses she has on
her cheeks, and how greatly she has
changed for the better? / never saw
such an astonishing cure. It would
seem as if the pure, refined. dry at
mosphere of the moon was made for
her. Gertrude may henceforth go where
slightest cause for any anxiety about
her. This is one of the most curious
results of our strange Journey"
In point of fact" answered her de-
lighted father, II did notice that she
seemed extraordinarily well. But may
I look upon 1t as radical cure. and
take it for granted that damp or cold
climates will not in future be bad for
her?'
Il tell you that the cure is beyond
the shadow of a doubt. replied the doe
tor, It has SO amazed me that it
would not take much to induce me to
carry out project 1 have in my head
"What IS it?"
ITO establish a model hospital on the
moon, as kind of supplementary win
ter sanatorium.
BE quiet; don't say anything moro
about the moon; you know it is to be
a forbidden subject for the present.
said Kersain, hearing the majors foot
step outside.
The gallant officer came to invite them
to take their seats at the breakfast "a
BILE He was evidently bent on effacing
the recollection of his previous abrupt
ness by the exceeding courtesy OF his
present demeanor. He insisted on send
ing a fatigue party to fetch the para
chute and the travellers luggage from
the place of descent, which they indi-
Gated to him as infinitely as they could.
But whea the English soldiers arrived
On the spot there was not trace of
luggage or parachute. Arabs had passed
by, beyond doubt and after several
hours of vain search the party return
ed empty handed.
At sunset Kersian proposed to resume
his journey toward Cairo, and as the
gunboat that had brought him so far
was under orders to return to Khartoum,
If possible, muggha, or fiat boat, some
times rowed and at other times drawn
by beasts OF burden, was hired to take
him first to Assouan and thence in the
direction of the Egyptian Delta.
OF course Gertrude and Fatima, Maui
ny and Virgil. the baronet and Smith,
and DR.. Briet all accompanied him.
Major Wharton supplied his guests
with all necessaries and furnished then:
with a military escort and free passes
enough to take them anywhere. The
party descended the Nile, therefore,
prettily rapidly, and was as happy as
might be expected of friends who found
themselves together once again. after
undergoing such trials and dangers
One evening before their arrival at
Cairo Norbert was on. deck with Ker-
sain and Gertrude. II was soft, starry
night, No sound was to be heard except
the rhythmical cadence OF the oars and
the monotonous chant of the rowers on
~o-ooooo.~D~~