The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1904-01-22


Until half way to the Second Cata-
ract we were not molested. Then a
troop of scouting followers Of the
Mahdi sighted us, and riding into the
river attempted to take the steamer.
1--WE had prepared for this. There
was a small cannon on board, which
we. kept N readiness for just such an
emergency as this. and when we sent
it's contents into the midst of the black
rascals they scattered to the winds.
Below, we had another fight, and
this time they very nearly took the
vessel. but ,ur fire was tribe too
warm. and they finally allowed us to
60 on.
las we drew near the cataract we
knew we would have to abandon the
little steamer, but we had determined
to continue the voyage in her light
yawi, which could be carried around
the cataract ~ two stout men.
This was finally done. and we kept
on down the river. Fortune had been
kind until now. We ran upon some
hippopotami. and in rage one Of the
monsters crushed our boat. 1t was in
the night. l believe my poor Kassee
must have fallen a victim to the saw
age beasts. for saw him no more.
sMy own escape was very miracu-
lous. I landed mile down the stream.
At break of day I pushed on. Fate
threw me in with a native, who car
ried me as far as the First Cataract
in his boat. Here met an English
hunter, bold fellow who, with some
guides, had been UP the river shooting
river horses, as he called the hippo
potami.
He was mortified at my news. and
gladly gave me place in his comfort
able boat, after which we set out for
Cairo, hundreds Of miles away.
.All went well until we We're about
two days run above the city. when a
sudden squat tool US unawares; the
boat capsized, and l found myself
wrecked again in the darkness.
II spent weary hours clinging to the
hatch which had somehow come I'M
der my hands. Several times boats
came near me in the morning, but no
one would take me off. They pre-
tended not to hear me; in fact, l
might as well have been thousand
miles away for all they noticed me.
You see, they have dread of being
held as witnesses, and If part of n
boats crew is lost there must be
legal inquiry, which will compel them
to be in town and lose time from their
work.
''As the day was passing felt that |
must leave my raft and try to gain the
distant shore, where the railroad runs
unless soon rescued just then this
boat came down the river. running
close by. T.called to the captain, tell
ing him l was from Khartoom. with
news of Gordon; he at once put about
and came to my rescue. The rest you
already know. my friends"
Thus Mynheer Joe finishes his story.
1t has not taken great while to tell
the facts, but volumes could be filed
with the details. He endeavors to
control himself when speaking of Cor
don's death. but it is evident that
event has made powerful impression
on the sturdy explorer, who so often
has fought side by side with the Chris
tian hero.
Sandy has ceased making his HERO
glyphics upon the pages of his note
book. His face beams with enthusiasm
at the thought of being first with this
authentic account of Gordon's death.
At the same time. out of respect for
the feelings of Mynheer Joe. he en-
deavors to subdue this mark of jour
nalistic pride and appear sober, but it
is really beyond him.
AS for Mr.. Grimes, he has observed
the narrator with deep interest all the
while he tells of the strange things
which happened to him. Whatever is
passing in the mind of the silver king
he does not allow it to be shown upon
his face. which is as cxpresslonless as
that of the Sphinx.
The messenger from Khartoom sits
there for brief interval. with that
look of sadness on his face, as though.
the thoughts surgins through his mind
have been too much for him.
Come. rouse yourself. my boy! You
are among friends at last. thank
heaven. and will be the lion of Cairo
when it is publicly known that You
were with gallant Gordon when he
FELL" says Sandy. but the other holds
up his hand. and says quietly:
THAT is distinction do not crave.
Somehow feel guilty in not leaving
my body beside Gordon. At best. l
see nothing TO boast Of in having es-
capped his fate
THE brave are ever modest" says
Sandy. AT least. you will make re-
port to the proper officials tomorrow
and verify my dispatches"
Yes. very brief one. That is only
just. / would. for certain reasons of
my own which you cannot understand.
keep it as quiet as possible"
Just So" remarks the oliver king.
in such a peculiar way that Mynheer
loo srlonaaS nj him and than fnac hto