Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-13

Several others belonged to the political
party represented by the Akoond, and
some half dozen were personal friends Of
Ellington O'Keefe
"Oh Keefe," said the Akoond, in his ma
tive tongue, Il am still Akoond. Tomor-
row either you or l may be. 1 am still
you and 1 should have a preliminary trial
of strength tonight. These men know
why it should be so. and they acquiesce."
At least, that is what he meant.
Akoond looked around upon his friends.
They silently bowed.
The solution of the mystery was this:
The Akoond, who was somewhat fearful
of being beaten by O'keefe in the formal
trial, had also greater fear of the hu-
initiation which would follow. He had
purposed in his mind at the start to re-
sign voluntarily and acquiesce in the
peaceful choice of the new Akoond But
when he began to train and found that
his muscles kept growing larger and
harder all the time he felt considerable
faith in his physical prowess. He thought
after all that material things were quite
powerful in their way as were the spirit
ual So he had concluded to seek OKeefe
out, fight him in a preliminary battle, and
then, II Okeefe were the winner. he, the
Akoond. would surrender his privileges
without formal whipping. On the other
hand. If once he could defeat O'Keefe, he
knew that he could do it twice And to
do it upon the day of battle was more
almost than he could dare to desire
Okeefe knew he was in for 1t. But he,
100 had made some preparation. And be-
bold.
He acquiesced. They barred to the waist:
these two men of the coiled serpent
O'keefe big man that he was looked al
most like pigmy as he faced the big black
man, the Akoond of Swat
Well, 1t did not take long. 1t was soon
over. O'Keefe has stood up In many a
| fight. He had been victor in many, loser
| In many But luck was against him.
He had been the victim of the terrible
| right of the strong arm man. Smith. He
had been knocked down and dragged out
by Captain jerks Of the Sarah Margaret.
| These, though, were mere by-play.
| The Akoond was a master in his line
| What he had to do, he did at once. In two
! minutes the limp form of Ellington
| Okeefe was hanging in the fork of two
| branches of tree, where the Akoond had
finally tossed him, and the Akoond was
| dancing with delight.
| The Akoond stalked off the ground and
tapped his chest. II and only l." he as
sured himself and those around him. 4 am
| the Akoond of Swat
| O'Keefe's friends stayed behind and as
| sisted the vanquished to his cabin. They
couldn't understand it; they did not know
| what 1t meant. They waited for O'Keefe to
| revive. He did revive and he told them
| 1t was no use. He told them that he never
| could be the Akoond of Swat, that he was
sure af it: and that If he remained until
the time of the great battle tomorrow, he
| was sure the Akoond would kill him. He
told them he must go and go at once. He
was down and out. They must get him
| away.
O'Keefe was in a frenzy of fear He
| had been knocked about too much In the
last few. months. Flesh and blood might
stand 1t. but his nerves were giving way
Get me away" he implored of the friend
ly natives, get me away at once"
They obeyed. They worked all night and
built him wide raft O'Keefe already had
the same rowboat which he had brought
with him. But he had been afraid to trust
himself again to the sea In small boat
The raft was different and much better
| Okeefe had recovered just enough tc
superintend the job. They followed his
directions. And when toward dawn the
raft was ready. they placed upon her g
quantity Of provisions.
| The sun was rising as they pushed off
| 1t begun to get hot at once. The wind wa.
with them and they set a small sail con
structed in hurry.
AS they started OFF, OKeefe, with hi
right hand. suddenly slapped his face Whe,
, | he had done so, he looked into his hand
by Georger' he exclaimed, "a MOSQUITO
, | Jersey mosquito and nothing else"
, | When they had left the land some small
, | distance behind them OKeefe held out hi
, hand to the two men who were with him O,
: the raft.
TITS far enough" he said to them. 1,
: their tongue. las 1t is. you will have har,
| work swimming back"
They shook their heads. I'VE go witt
, you. oh Keefe." they said. until you fin,
, On ana on they sailed into the Pacin
} sea. TAat night QKeefe. the proposes