The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-10-19


AN gram OF a proposed hunt
SS$ sEI ing trip on one side of II
smooth stone. Ned offered
occasional suggestions and asked in
nucaerablc questions, all of which Ri
emo truthfully answered, while l
seoked on in silence.
"But sec here. old man." said my
zNlow tourist, abruptly. isn't this the
ptsce Were tho forty thieves are sup
posed 70 hang out?'
Our guide shrugged his shoulders,
and In broken English suggested that
Sc we were afraid 10 venture on the
trip wo could stay at Alexandria and
be quite cut OF reach of the robbers.
"But we are not afraid" intcrposed;
"we only want 60 be prepared for the
robbers in case they put in an appear
ance."
'No robbers-no need prepare" Ri
emo said. earnestly. II been there be-
>orc. many n time"
This popular American phrase
brought a smile to Nei's lips, as he
closed the contract.
Ned and / were visiting my uncle,
who was then the United States Con
sui at Cairo. We had planned n hunt
ing trip UP the Kazaan Rivec long be-
fore we met Ricnzo; hut Uncle Dick
would not let us go alone, and IL was
only after much persuasion that lie
consented to journey under tse su.
pervision OF the dark-skinned native.
There had been numerous stories
floating about OF band OF robbsrs
supposed 10 exist in that locality; but
this, instead of dcterring us, only made
us both-Ncd particularly-more anx-
tpus TO so.
1t was very early the next morning
when Rienzo called us. So early, in
fact that Ned refused 70 get up for
rome time, and was almost forced 10
pull him out Of bed.
But we got started finally, and when
wa halted, late in the afternoon, Ned
ana took run of several hundred
yards 20 stretch our stlffcned legs,
and VIXEN we returned Ricnzo had
made all the preparations for spending
night in camp.
Throughout the evening we trampcd
along the river in search Of game, but
with indifferent success. and It was
not until the next morning that our
hopes in that line We're realized.
RienEo and were kneeling together
behind clump of bushes about mid
day, pile Of game lying az our feet,
As>A Il;
j could hear him banging away when
ever the sky was darkened by flock
of ducks.
mad just finished reloading my
shotgun, and was about TO take aim
at a single bird sitting on the sand
some distance away, when Rienzo help
up a warning finger.
''No shoot" he whispered. LAY
down-Quick."
l dropped TO the ground, wondering
what his sudden action meant.
Keep still fetch boy" he went on
In a low tone of voice, and the next
instant he had walked quietly away.
l lay on the ground several moments
before he returned, bringing Ned with
him. They had evidently held con,
suitat;on, for, as soon as they reached
me, Ned whispered:
"Renzy says we are in for II now, old
man. That story about the robbers is
only too true
what do You mean?" ] askes eager
ly. Have YOU seen--"
'Hushr' interrupted Ned. in guard
ed voice. Don't speak so loud. Renzy
says he knows they are around here
somewhere, probably attracted by oul
shooting"
We crawlcd on our hands and kEsa,
for several hundred yards, ana thea
became disgusted with our guids'i
plan of action, and halted abruptls.
'Camels gone" he eroaned. I'VE y
goodr'
Il guess you're right" agreed Ned
sitting down. "Those thieves hav,
taken our beasts, and for my part, In
glad of IL. Let's stay here and shoe
them as they come up"
mo care" said Rienzo. "They shoe
too-many more"
Then what are We TO doi" ! aske,
anxiously. "Those fellows will be her
1n little while. Can't we hide some
where?"
This suggestion seemed TO bring a,
idea into the brilliant intellect of ou
guide, and he at once set forth a plal
(which we strenuously objected to a
sirst, but were finally forced to adopt