Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1904-05-26
CHAPTER XIII.
vE MISSION OF THE pAHABEAH,


THE MISSION OF THE DAHABEAH.
When Mynheer Joe and his two
friends, having secured cup Of coffee
md a bite of breakfast at the hotel
pass down toward the river the very
first gleam of daylight is abroad
though as yet kept in the background
by the moon, which shines on the land
IF the Pharaohs with peculiarly dull
radiance, unlike the food Of light
ooured upon the earth when the Queen
Of Night is at her full.
Knowing the way they experience
no trouble in reaching the point where
they have been informed the two
boats will he in readiness. This time
there is no attempt made to rob them
Perhaps the raScally Arabs who prov!
about the narrow streets during the
ni"ht looking for victims have retired
likr beasts of prey. to their various
dcEs at the approach of dawn. AT
any rate, the three men meet with ne
adventure as they advance to the Nile.
Here we are" says Sandy, when
they bring up at the designated spot.
Sure enough. two boats are seen
upon the water, both of triu model
Voices can be heard, aS though the
sailors are on deck. and all is in rcadi
ness for casting off.
Sandy takes one look into the face
Of Mynhccr Joe as they come upon the
boats. 1t is enough TO reassure him
for the man does not show the Least
emotion. If he were made OF ice Myn
hecr Joe could not take the situation
in n cooler manner than he does. Thii
satisfied the newspaper man that the
Russian ducllist is about to be sur
priscd. He may have had plain sail
ing in past affairs of the kind. but
when he run across Mynhecr Joe he
certainly struck n mag that now sives
promise of wrecking his bark.
Mr.. Grimes halls aud a voice an
swcrs s-thc voice of the French officer
who met him as the bnron's represen
tativc. They are to take the daha
bcah nearer the shore. The Others
have Just arrived, and If all THEN
party can be counted there is nothing
to be done but to push off and get UP
sail.
captain, one question" says Mr.
Grimes.
AT your service" replies the polite
Gaul, whom they can just iEdistinctl!
OF IN, h, Ynnf Of thn Sntnnl
cabin in brave attitude, such ai
French officers delight to assume, al
though those of other nations are not
far behind them in this respect.
"You spoke of doctor-the family
doctor of the baron, who understands
his constitution and knows how tc
treat him. Pardon me, but is he on
board with you?'
Silence follows this cool question, as
though the Frenchman has been stag
gered by it; then, In his courteous way
he would be polite even if thrustlnS
his sword through an enemy-the 9th
Ger of the Khedive replies:
"He is with us, sir"
IObiL ltl We toIS'it W C'ti ~
says Grimes, conscious that the ba
ron's ears have caught all that has
been uttered. and willing to let him
know tnat there is no such thing as
scare" in their party.
No more IS said
Orders are given and the two Nile
River boats gotten under way with
the rapidity that distinguishes the pc
cular model common to this country
Mynheer Joe clasps the hand of his
second and gives it squeeze.
Thanks, my good friend. That dig
Is worth something to me, you Under
stand" he says in his quiet but ear
nest way.
"Of course. sir. You know, my IN
terests are bound up in yours. l ar
determined that this story shall enc
in the proper way, and 1t can hardly
do that IL the baron spits you on his
sword like a fowl before the fire.
have confidence in you, Mynheer joe
replied Mr.. Grimes.
No more is said just now, for the
boat is being gotten under way. The
breeze chances to be favorable, anc
there is more of it than usual at this
time In the morning. 1t comes from 9
quarter not far removed from north
east. and the three -cornered sails OF
the dahabeah are peculiarly fitted to
catch a quartering current Of air.
Both boats are speedily rushing
through the water Mt a lively rate
The situation is rather romantic, with
the moon nearly overhead, day begin
ming to break in the east, and She
great sails of the rival river boats
catching the fresh breeze that has
worked in acrosJ the intervening
delta of the Nile from the Mediterra.
mean.
Was ever duel fought under simi'
lar circumstances as those which
promise to mark this one? Probably
not.
ITO be Continued.l