The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1904-01-22
NJ YNHEER JOE.
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BY ST. GEORGE RATRBoRNE.
sSsssssssssSsssS
corrnaHr 1ssR ROBERT BosNE Sons.
CHAPTER III.
TContinued.1

F1neu neuEQ SuOL just UeSluc HIT
with horror 1 can't explain. I
whirled around, to see the black devil
of traitor aiming a revolver, from
the muzzle of which smoke still curled.
General Gordon had his hand pressed
TO his heart. and could see the blood
srickling over his fingers. That sight
will haunt me all my life. who
have seen many strange and terrible
things in my time can never forget
what happened on that awful 26tb
day Of January.
II knew the brave Gordon had re
cciyed his death-weund at the hands
Of one WAC had even fought at his
side, and the consciousness that the
evil hour had come seemed to turn my
very blood into molten lava.
Fearful sounds arose all over
Khartoom. for the signal had been
given that was to indicate Gordon's
downfall. The enemy assaulted the
walls, portion of the late defenders
Joined them, and Khal4oom became
the scene of massacre too terrible
for words.
II assure you, my friends. did not
stand idle while all this was going on
No sooner did see the falling hero at
my side. when, quick as the lightning
cleaves the clouds, my sword leaped
from it's scabbard. Giving a true
Yankee yell sprang at the assassin.
The descending blade cleft his miser
able skull to the chin, and through all
time shall never cease to rejoice that
It was the arm Of an American that
avenged Gordon's death.
What happened after that is more
like dream than reality to me. but
4 shall give it for what it is worth.
remember plunging into the thick Of
the fight All around me arose the
most fearful sounds Of a desperate
battle. while through Khartoom rang
The shrieks of poor women and the
shouts Of exulting demons; for the
black horde had swarmed over the
walls, and. in their great fury, seemed
to spare none.
"More than one went down before
my sword and revolvers, for, expect
ing only death. fought as mailman
might.
Elm the midst Of the melee. covered
with CRIME and blood, could hardly
be distinguished from or of the trait
or-soldiers who had at last turned
upon their general Suddenly my
body was clasped by pair of
hands from behind. and found my
sale I,,v.IoI 70 tho urnrrI
Naturally 1 expected instant death,
when. to my surprise, voice called
In my ear:
"'Feign death! would save the
sahibr
1T was my faithful servant Kas-
see, whom had brought front Bon,-
bay. hardly know why obeyed
him; 1t must have been because had
SO little power to resist. for life did
not seem worth any trouble just then.
HE dragged me into the house that
overlooked the river and there Sc
GREETED me. All through the day 1
heard the shouts of the victorious
hordes as they thronged through
Khartoom. Something had come into
my mind, and l found that l had IA
object TO live for. e nilsson to per-
form. The news ~ Gordon's death
must be carried to his people. and
had come to the conclusion that of
all the faithful within the walls of
khartoom. Joe Miner was the only
living soul that remained.
might came, and faithful Kassee
made his appearance. He had dis.
guised himself as one of the enemy,
and thus escaped tine common fate
that befell the defenders of the city.
'Froin him l learned that clever
we could make our escape down the
river. The water was very low. but
Gordon had several small. light
draught steamers for use upon the
upper waters of the Nile One of
these lay not more than stones
throw down the river, tied TO the
bank.
'Kassee's bright plan was for us to
drop into the river from the back of
the house. wade down to the boat,
climb aboard and aided by the dark
ness. cast her adrift. When some dis
tance down the river. we could light
fire. start up steam and, as soon as
daylight came. make good progress
north.
There was something fascinating
about the adventure, particularly as
it promised to be our only chance.
Acting under the Instructions of
my faithful Kassee clambered
through the slit of window in the
mud wall Of the house. lowered my,
self by means of the convenient rope,
and finally stood knee-deep in the wa
tiers OF the Nile below. waiting.
when the ex-sepoy Joined me-"
continued Mynheer Joe. I'VE began to
creep along down in the direction of
the little steamer. 1t was guarded,
but Kassee knew where the sentry
was posted. and he attended to his
case while l got ready to unfasten the
tonPS