Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1904-06-02

| nCnt, 700, 1 TctkOIl, uc W hSpN'"'
They find Mynheer Joe lying upon
the roof of the cabin. pillow under
his head, which the captain of the boat
has brought out, and to all appear
ances enjoying his cigar.
Together they enter the cabin. Upon
the table is seen quaint tlagon and
glass. Mynheer Joe moves toward
It, but he finds the hand of Mr.. Grimes
before him.
Not allowed. my friend. Heaven
knows what sort of drug there might
be in this. If you must steady your
nerves." And he produces small
flask from one of his pockets. But
Joe shakes his head.
"That isn't in my line, sir though l
thank you all the same. I've seldom
found time when my nerves needed
strengthening by such artificial means.
though | confess that my life was
once saved by a small amount or
liuuor. The fellow drank II who was
left to execute me, and got into such
n maudlin condition that easily over
powered him and made my escape.
Except as medicine | have no use for
the stuff"
A minute later all Of them are busily
engaged in examining their revolvers,
which are found to be i'll good condi-
ton.
"Take charge of mine, Mr.. Crimes"
remarks Joe, who, of course, cannot
he thus burdened when about to enter
upon an engagement that will require
oil his agility.
with pleasure. sir. and should the
occasion arise for using it, trus- You
will find that l can make each shot
count almost as well as yourself. BY
the way, Joe. you didn't forget to
bring the rubber footholds borrowed
from the profcssOr?'
Never fear; have them. The bar
On will not get his work in through
slip on my part. if can help it, re-
turns Joe, touching a pocket of his
blouse. where II small package Of
some sort is hidden.
Presently they pass outside again
to find that the sun has arisen and
new day begun. They keep a short
distance from the shore in order TO
catch the full benefit G the breeze,
but every palm stands out al bold re-
lief.
The scene Is such as can be gazcd
upon any day along the lower Nile.
] nd nf
upon it. Numerous sails dot the broad
river, some beating down, while many
! fly before the breeze. \ string of
camels forming a caravan can be no.
! ticed above the bank, doubtless bound
for the far.off cities, between which
and Cairo quite 4 trade is carried Oh
IN this way,
Here some travellers on donkeys can
+ be seen, making an early start for the
| pyramids. Now and then slaves nrc
discovered AZ work with the poles and
/ buckets known as a shedoof, and
which primitive method of engineering
in the way Of lifting water from
lower level Is still practced in the
3
lust as their forefathers did two thou
sand years back.
An occasional windmill Is seen
where some house nestles on the bank,
but this is generally the property OF
foreigners. Upon the river freight
cangias are met with, heading to or
from Cairo. Those boats which have
the fair wind are supposed to keep out
of the way of others, but the reis in
command of their craft seems to be
in something of daredevel spirit this
morning. He swings the dahabeah in
so close to one of the heavier craft
that he comes within an ace of having
the sandal trailing behind sunk.
The sun is now almost half an hour
high. When will the boats come to
land? Surely there is no need of trav-
cling great distance from old Cairo
in order to discover a good dueling
ground.
Perhaps the baron has particular
spot in view. He may even have been
Il principal in some affair OF honor
IL
the Nile, and his success at that time
inspires him to select the same rem.
lcz"cUs again.
Our friends show no imDatience
whatever they may feel. Sandy. TOOK.
ins ahead. directs the attention Of his
comrades to a po.nt.
"LiEe as not we're aiming for chat
! can see rows of tombs in the rocks
back of it. Such place would make
an admirable spot for the duello. Re
member the old stories I've read of
steamers on the Mississippi stopping
to let couple of passengers fight on
some sand-bar, and the spectators
burying one of 'em there. This puts
me in mind of it. Where could you
ind better place to dispose of the
unfortunate victim than in one of
those empty rock tombs? Capital
ideal Jovc; I'll improve on this sub
ject when write it up, see If l DON'T
Sandy gets no further. as he feels a
grip on his arm, and, turning, secs
Mr. Grimes making expressive grim
ices intended to warn h II, that he is
reading on dangerous ground. Myn
leer Joe, however. does not seem at
Ill affected, but treats the matter as Il
luge joke.
II think, for my part, / prefer being
ouried In modern cemetery. and
authorize you, my friends, In case the
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