The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-12-11
FAIR SLAVE TO THE F1AHD-h Aans

and the colonel. much impressed, con-
vened a score OF officers inside the zere-
ba. The strange document was read
and re-read aloud, it's history exploited,
and then young lieutenant broke forth
with.
why, certainly it's genuine. l know
Bardoff-met him in Cairo. Tall chap,
built like Apollo. and a remarkable lin
guist. He was supposed to have fallen
at Khartoum."
las for the girl and the balloon bust
ness" broke I'm another officer slowly,
surely you remember the stir the mat
ter made when the news was sent
abroad that an American girl and five
young explorers left the Congo region,
the men being killed, leaving the girl
IN the balloon alone
Exactly. and, her brother IS in his
yacht at Cairo now interposed an
other. Wanted TO go up the Nile on
the hunt for her, but they wouldn't let
him on account Of the dervish troubles.
Why, it's all perfectly plain. They are
over there In the Bohreb range, sure
as you're born, and waiting 10 be res
eued."
"Well we must save them, that's all. 4"
The superior officer waved 10 his aide.
Make cooy OF that and hurry the
original on TO suakim. Are they signal
ing Sull?"
ayes, sir"
Then send this message by signal as
well, stating particulars"
Soon the fact that there was a Rus
sian prince and an American girl over
behind the enemy toward the mountain
range was spread abroad, and that last
realization eave the vast coneourse Of
soldleTy a qulckening stir.
They were grateful for the tIdings
OF the fan Of Mahdl, which seemed 10
make the contest over the dark
continent doubly easy. They were now
ready to prove their gratitude for the
news by making a furious dash TO the
poor pilgrims rescue.
Throughout the short evening there
was a severe comparing OF notes and
memories. and every jot OF fact regard
ing Rardoff and his fair companion
eagerly sought and devoured Men who
knew the details OF the Congo event,
which some months sine had run an
Icy shudder through "a America and
half the world besides. " ere speedily
found. Others there We're who knew
that the Mahdi had claimed 10 have
received an angel from heaven. and
that she had brought him tidings that
he was never To be defeated IN battle,
and that he would live a hundred years
70 conquer and reform the world. 9th
ers knew Prince Bardohf and something
or his history. The whole matter fitted
IN like fragments OF a mosaic.
From dumbfounded wonder and CRATE
ful content there sprang a mighty chiv-
airy. The thought Of a young girl es-
capped from f<hartoum. and still in dire
peril. inspired every manly heart with
desire 10 help her.
do you know" said the colonel OF
the regiment, 81 believe that 800 men
could take up the Berber trail and bring
those POOR souls into camp before dry
break"
call FOR volunteers" suggested his
companion. Three thousand will re-
spond.
no doubt. no doubt" said the colonel
But"
The sentence was never finished. for
the reason that two messengers arrived
at almost one and the same moment.
One announced that a wounded Arab in
the hospital tent had suddenly regained
his legs, after having heard the CONVEX
sation OF the surgeons and become en-
hghtened upon every detail il were best
TO reserve from the enemy. and sped
into the closing darkness. Three shots
were fired after him without effect.
An English-speaking spy. undoubt-
ediy." unused the colonel, gritting his
teeth.
The other messenger brought the
startling tidlngs that the outposts sig
nailed the gathering OF the enemy on
the heights toward Otao; and that with
out doubt a night attack was medltated
II was a death blow 10 the proposed
rescue OF the Russian prince and the
angel OF light" Within ten minutes the
mighty army rose, after a little season
OF rest. and started toward the bleak
hills. over which was soon 10 pour the
combined forces OF the Mnhdists. intent
on crushing the Invading host before the
light Of another day.