The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-04-02
CHAPTER XIV.
Continued

would our three friends drop on the
spot.
b. this time the surgeon has taken
the baron in charge, and leaving open
his shirt, which is already saturated
with blood, he proceeds to bind up
the wound in business-likc way.
1t will prove painful for some little
time, but not dangerous. unless the
baron blood is in wrctched condition.
when b.oOd-poisoning may set in. y
wound OF this sort is OF u more seri-
-ous nature in hot country than if
received where the air is bracins.
Mynheer Joe quietly resumes the
garments he cast off when preparing
for the duel. and in five minutes one
would not imagine he has been en-
gagged in any such business.
1t is time they returned to the river.
Sandy, in particular, is anxious to
reach Cairo for some reason or other.
\Just as they are about to bid the
.othcrs courteous good morning and
withdraw from the scene, the silence
that broods over the place is sudden
ly and rudely broken.
Shrill cries. filed with anger, ring
out coming from the direction Of the
river. 1t sounds as If a dozen men
or tiSer-cats are endea. .oring to see
which can make the most noise.
They're eomingw exclaims Sandy,
whipping out his revolver, and select
ing a geo6-sized palm rs base of de-
fcnSe.
1t flashes through the minds OF all
that the baron has made q threat
when he declared the duel did not eNd
the feud between himself and Myn-
Iheer Joe.
Then again, they remember their
conversation in the cabin of the da-
shabeah, when the possibility was men,
toned, of conspiracy, to overwhelm
them in case the baron lost the fight.
When they hear those fearful shouts
1t comes to the mind Of Mynheer Joe
as well as Mr.. Grimes that the Arabic
SIcMS VI tlC lnO SOiioAhNu
and are rushing upon the scene to
down the enemies Of the baron. Per-
haps some prearranged signal has
been given to let them know the re-
suit of the duel, and that 1t now rests
With them.
= Hence, acting under this belief, the
two Americans instantly draw their
weapons. They do not stand in their
tracks but Immediately leap f0ward
to meet their expected foes.
Sandy, seeing the new state Of af-
fairs, quits his beloved palm. and
follows after them as rapidly as his
shorter legs will allow.
To their surprise the enemy does
not show up; their fierce clamor still
continues, but it seems to be in the
quarter where the boats have both
been left. Mr.. Grimes is the first to
guess the truth"
Bless my soul, I beiieye they've
having small war among them
selves!" he says.
Yes, we're not in it." gasps San.
ay.
Another moment, and they turn an
angle of the rocks that allows them
a clear view Of the battlefield. Sure
enough, the rival crews OF the two
dahabeahs are at 1t, hammer and
tongs. How the affair started may
Il l-r,n rnS lx-
Arabs cannot be hired to tell the truth
when there is a chance to lie; nor do
the Americans care materially about
this point.
Mynheer Joe, without moments
hesitation, bounds away, heading for
the boats as though it is his intention
to join in the melee, where broken
heads will soon be the order Of the
day.
He'll be killed. cries Sandy, hur-
rying along at the side Of Mr.. Grimes.
Don't you believe it. my boy. Joe
Is used to quslling such disturbances
among the blacks of the Soudan; and,
my word for it, he'll bring this af-
fair to a sudden close. Watch! There
he goes now"
The explorer has leaped aboard the
dahabeah nearer the shore. 1t Is
upon the deck Of this all the Arabs are
gathered in noisy crowd, pulling one
another's frowsy hair and threaten
ing to make blood flow.
Mynheer Joe's voice is heard like a
trumpet above the clamor, which grad
ually dies down as different members
Of the mob quail before his eye and
terrible appearance.
Back to your boat, all who belong
there! Back, or you shall die like
4eIsr' he shouts in the Arabic tongue,
which, in his long service in the Sou
dan, he has fully mastered.
They hear his words, they see his
threatening manner. and as the mobs
of blacks obeyed the slightest wish
OF the magnetic hero Gordon, so a por'
ton of his reflected light is placed,
like Elijah's mantle, on the shoulders
~ tho mon Jyho Saw him 6ie and