The Washington times., 1904-12-04

hand In the far distance were seen the
lines OF marching soldiers moving on 10
re-enforce the commander. Osman
Digna, in his attack on Suakim.
Poor BardOh gazed toward the be-
leaguered city. What would his charge
and he find there. if they ever reached
Ut at all? Would they find it In the
hands Of the fanatics, RACED 70 the
ground. running red with blood?
The Russian was IA a quandary. To
return TO KhaEtOum meant death, 20 go
forward 20 Suakfm might mean death,
and TO plunge through the awful Nubian
desert nOrthward into Egypt with the
single worn camel would end likewise.
To Suakim, then. There might be a
chance there.
In the light OF the clearer day- the
prince rose and looked upon the figure
OF Dorothy. His heart went up to her
with ineffable pity. He saw patrician
type OF beauty, a child of luxury and
peace, born to be loved, and destined by
nature for the finer walks and fiowery
paths OF life now wasted to a wrath
like shadow-a haunted. terror-riven
soul. bearing precious little sem
blance 10 the vision of content and fear
lessness which he had first encountered
in the Mahdrs hut at Khartoum.
Bardon turned away as he saw these
patent truths. His soul was afiame with
compassion and admiration. He was re-
solved 10 dare anything. suffer anything.
il only she might be spared.
For hours under the burning sun they
travelled on. Between light and night
they took a little rest Early in the
Cd 4
astounding thing occurred about mid
night.
How it happened viii never be clear.
They must have been asleep or in de-
lirium of Inconsistencies. Dorothy was
swaying IN her saddle. Bardon was
clinging 70 the nose rope Of the camel
and plodding on with bowed head. while
the poor skin and bone beast STROBE for
ward sound asleep. Suddenly a bright
light reused the two all at once. To
their CONSERVATION they found that they
had plunged directly into the very heart
of "a dervish camp.
Round the watch fires sat the guards.
The sight of the strangers caused them
10 sound an alarm. Instantly, like magic
from the very wilderness il seemed, 81
armed soldiers sprang forward and sur
rounded the helpless strangers.
Bardof seemed TO be in a hideous
nightmare He stared about him with
his hand on his sword. but he did not
draw IL. He used strategy instead.
His face Illuminated witt welcome
light, smile Of feigned a;itude upon
his lips. he raised his two hands Il
heaven and cried aloud: "Salaam alel-
KUN, salaam aleikum!'
There were a few half-hearted greet
ings, but the poised spears were not yet
! lowered. a few OF the cleaning points
were so close 10 his heart that single
false note would have ended il al.
Down with your lances. comrades! Dc
YOU not see who 1 am2 Behold a guard
Of the Mahdi from tar Khartoum. broth
ers in the faith. Where Is your emir
/ would speak 10 him."
one Of the taller Of the warriors came
forward.
Whittier goest thou, guard Of the
! Mahdi? Tell US that! And with this
woman. too
Il 20 with important messages from
( the khaEfa Abdulla 10 Osman Digna
relating 10 the siege OF Suakim. Whert
Is your emir? lie knows me. / shall
make everything plain 10 him. Besides
/ 1 need his assistance. and yours. too
God be with you How fortunate that
the great prophet led me TO your camp
I Blessed miracle Of the Faith of Islam!
The lances fell one By one, and the
zheik made a passage through the solid
ranks.
Make ROOM" he commanded Il wall
show the stranger guard where our
/ commander, the noble emir. Mamud q
| Flki. and his council are encamped.
Come hither'"
"God save thee. son Of the faithful!
murmured Bardoh thankfully
A sheik took the camel rope, and the
trembling prince drew back and walked
beside Dorothy, reaching up till he
found her cold. thin hand. Into that
he laid a small dagger. incased in rhi-
noceros hide
Take It," he whispered. we are
caught I don't know what will happen.
hut there IS your little comfort. II
am killed you can follow me into eter
atty, and God forgive you! But any
thing would be better than captivity
so take my counsel The blade has
been dipped in poison. and IA singh
scratch means death. Let US hope and
pray that we shall both be spared but
there is your only deliveTance. com
Iade. if I die Do you understand me
all. everything
II seemed as If the weary heart in the
wasted body was suddenly turned t.
stone. Those words were as II spoken
TO her over a brink OF eternity. She
fried TO reply, but could not. She mere
ly slipped the harblneer Of death into
her bosom; and giving her companions
upturned face single knowing glance
said simply: YES. comrade; God wit
uessi 1 understand"
They had reached the tent OF the
grand emir. What were they standing
upon-the threshold OF a temple OF re
fuge. or that Of the torture chamber and
the gFaVe2
CHAPTER xxx.