The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1904-04-15
Ey Il. g. WELSH. !.

away from Cleland and uttered pe7
cultar CALI 80 $50 sst 4.
In answer to 1t half dozen black.
bearded. fierce-eyed dervishes sprang
as 1t We're from the earth itself-in
reality, out of some of the trenches
near at hand-and came to his side.
Osman uttered his instructions in low.
rapid tones, and two Of the tallest and
strongest, coming forward, laid each
a hand under Cle!and's arm. and led
him forword towards that awful black
thing facing him.
Then he knew that the end had come
at last. Without preparation he was
to be hurled out of life into the great
Unknown beyond. In five minutes
more he would be beyond all hope of
rescue or escape-he would be in eter-
nifty.
only those who have seen death thus
suddenly near at hand know how dear
life is to all. "The weariest and most
loathed worldly life" becomes the
most precious of all possessions, be-
cause to lose it is to lose all that we
have ever been familiar with.
Thus Cleland felt for a moment:
but it was only for a moment
One thought of Margaret-rare, pale
Margaret. soon to be separated from
MIN more completely than ever she
mad been by the 'unplulnbed, salt,
estrenging sea"-who might never
even hear of his death; one passion
ate' mute farewell-"Good-by, my
love, my one. first and last love. We
shall meet some day. some day, Mar
garet"-and then his thoughts were
turned to the solemn moment before
him.
My God. commit myself into Thv
hands. Thou wilt keep me, for have
trusted in Thee" The wordless prav-
er in his heart might so have been
translated
they were at the gallows now. One
of the dervishes held Cleland while
the other skilfully threw long strand
OF brown rope into moose. 1t was fin
ished; ne was just about to throw it
over Cleland's neck. when
A wild shrek broke on the sultry
ar, the sound of galloping horses ac-
companied it: and Cleland, looking ND.
saw many-colored flags and banners
noatlng on the air. At the same mo-
ment Osman's voice was heard calling
something in Arabic At the sound
the dervish who held the rope dronned
it. and turned from Cleland with
scowl.
The next moment Osman himself
approached.
1t is the will of Allah you should
be spared just now he said. address,
ing Cleland. Then to the deryisbes.
rake him back to the hut
But Cleland, unable to stand anx
longer from sheer weakness. had
dropped on the ground. They lifted
MIN up and carried him to the Int
where he was chained to hinge
stone. Presently he recovered himself
a little, and was able to get up to his
feet.
Ihen he was conscious of a great
noise outside-braying of donkeys
stamping of horses feet. the shrill
cries of Arabs. the sound of camels'
heavy tread. 1t lasted for about ten
minutes, then suddenly ceased, and
perfect silence succeeded it
1t reigned so long that Cleland fell,
vaguely uneasy. He moved at last
SLOWLY across the hut. and, by push
ing away some of the brushwood was
able to look out.
The place was deserted! There was
not tent, donkey, a camel. or an
Arab to be seen. He was alone-alone
and chained up like dog. with little
or no hope of being able to release
himself
Even if he could, what then? He
knew he was at Metemmeh. in the
heart OF the desert, without food or
drink. Even If he were free could he
ever find his way to the British camp?
He had no idea as to where they were.
he had not even heard that they were
again on the move.
Despair came to Cleland. It woula
have been better if they had killed him
at once. Swift death was to be pre-
ferred to this fearful thought of diving
inch by inch.
Still, he must do something rather
than lie down in inaction and despair.
He would try to file away his chain
that bound him.
1t was five days later when the
Egyptian troops marched
through Metemmeh on their south
ward way. ~
"A town Of the dead! But. good
heavens! what is that, Reif?". ex-
claimed Colonel Beauchamp as he
rode by the side OF one Of his subal-
terms, pointing to the hut. Il could
almost fancy there seems to me some
thing like man lying there on the
sand!" i 4 s.5Sf{.;:, 81.
I. A moment later thee command
Halt" was given; the rBoying mass.
of ,camels and men scama 10 q dead
stop: The colonel and s,l1ta .subaltern
dismounted and ran mp to.the hut
&, &, ffne enough. theresgwaS i man In