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

equal in point of speed, as they con-
tinue to heep the same relative dis.
tance apart. Perhaps, in genuine
race, with a wind like this, their craft
could gain the advantage by 'blanket.
tng" the other and cutting off her sup
ply of wind, but this will not pay un.
der present conditions.
Although Joe has made the condi-
tions of the duel being the challenged
party he really leaves the selection Of
the ground to his rival, having only
stipulated that it shall be among the
hills that lie above Cairo.
J., Sandy and Mr.. Grimes stand to-
gethcr near the bow of the vessel. lis.
hening to the music of the water as
her PROV cuts through the tide of the
Nile like knife, curling the foamy
suds on either side and hurlng them
back in rolls.
;, Both of them are duly impressed
with all their romantic surroundings,
and the war correspondent is jotting
down ideas in his mind that will be
called upon to supply space In some
Forthcoming article. At the same time
It is evident he has something worry
ing him.
y Mr.. Grimes is quick to notice such
things, as he has made a business of
reading faces.
, whats wrong. Sandy he asks abb
ruptly, as he removes his cigar to flip
the ashes from the end with his deX-
ferrous little finger
j "Who said so? How did you know?
Hang it. Mr.. Grimes. you read men rs
4 would books You may have buried
yourself out in C0lorado-you took
good care to study human nature"
"Thcn you confess you are bothered,
my boy!" continued the other, stead
lily.
We'll yes, I've been wondering,
You see, we know this baron Is a sly
cchemer!"
"Adrlitted."
"AnG. not to be trusted out of sight
! "Ordinarily l should not dare to put
my life in his charge. You're right,
Sandy"
"Well, we've let him select the spot
Tor the affair. How can we tell but
what he may spring some shrewd
game on us. Can you promise that
yonder dahabcah has not half dozen
hired assassins on board ready to an
initiate us in case the baron feels the
necessity"
Mr.. Grimes laughs, and there Is a
reinsurance in his manner that speaks
for itself.
"Sandy give over worrying. l be-
lieve the strongest proof we can have
that the baron means no treachery is
his astonishing confidence in himself.
He has fought duels before and be.
1ieves himself invincible. Hence it
seems picnic, a walk-over to him.
very true. very true, sir, but YOU
must admit there is chance that
always that my boy but you also
forget something of interest - our
selves! What are we here for| as a
member from the South asked in a
Republican convention. If Joe can
take care of the baron. surely we will
be able to look after his friends, be
they two in number or a Dozen
"Well spoken. Mr.. Grimes. My mind
is already clear on that point, l be.
lieve we will come out of this thing
with flying colors. My trouble has
vanished even as the smoke of this
cigar fades into space"
Sandy is himself again, and that
means a CHEEKY friend, faithful com.
rade, one whom Mynheer Joe could
not better were he to search the globe
over.
Az the daylight grows stronger the
moon wanes in power; it is no longer
a strife between the two MS to which
must win, for Luna is already out of
the battle.
Cairo is left far behind upon the
east bank and, looking back, they can
see the first shafts of sunlight glnting
from her numerous domes, although
the mighty god of day has not yet
shown his smiling face to those upon
the River Nile.
1t is strange spectacle, and one
that appeals to the artistic in their
natures, but all of them are very ia.
miliar with the scene, so that the dcS.
ert. the pyramids, the city of the four
hundred mosques, its queer people and
the storied Nile itself-all these things
do not appear so strange to their eyes
as would be the case were they new
comers to the land of Egypt.
Besides, their mission is OF such a
nature that their thoughts are bound
to stray to it from time to hme-when
men are bent on an errand of n deadly
character they are not expected to
laugh and joke as if going to we'd
ding.
"Come back to the cabin, Sandy. |
think we would be wise to examine
our firearms. Nothing like making
sure that everything is in working or
der. These hycnas and jackals of the
desert strike with amazing quckness
when they do show up. Gomez
His words are significant, and his
companion has no difficulty in under
standing. Together they pass the sail
ors squatted about ON the forward
deck, after their usual manner when
not at work. These fellows are
Arabs, and not the bnst looking chaps
Mr.. Grimes has set eyes on. He gives
Sandy nudge, but this wideawake
newspaper man has already noted the
hct,