The Saint Paul globe., 1904-05-08

zation to take a trip south once more,
travelling as her wont Is, in an armored
train. Everything was ready. down to
the last pack saddle of the last camel,
and yet no one suspected it, for an un-
constitutional government has it's ad-
vantages. great administrator had ar
gued, and managed, and cajoled; a great
soldier had organized and planned, and
made piastres do the work of pounds. And
then one night these two master spirits
met and clasped hands. and the soldier
vanished away upon some business of
his own.
And Just at that very time Bimbashi
Hilary Joyce, seconded from the Royal
Malow Fusilliers and temporarily attached
to the Ninth Soudanese, made his first
appearance in Cairo.
Napoleon had said, and Hilary joyce
had noted, that great regulations are
only to be made in the East Here he
was in the East with four tin cases or
baggage. q Wilkinson sword, a Bond $
slug throwing pistol and a copy Of
Green's Introduction to the Study of
Arabic. With such start and the blood
OF youth running hot in his veins, every
thing seemed easy. He was a little
frightened Of the general; he had heard
stories Of his sternness to young officers
but with tact and suavity he hoped for
the best. So, leaving his effects at
'O-ASk1AACAN . AAObCAg AG IcpOIJeu nlnS6lI ar
headquarters
1t was not the general, but the head Of
the intelligence department, who received
MN, the chief being still absent 1lDon
that business which had called him. HI
larry Joyce found himself In the presence
OF a short, thick-set officer, with a gentle
voice and a placid expression. which
covered a remarkably acute and energetic
spirit With that quiet smile and guile
less manner he had undercut and out
Witted the most cunning of OrientaIs He
stood, cigarette between his fingers
looking at the newcomer
Il heard that you had come Sorry the
chief isn't here to see you. Gone IN to
the frontier, you know
My regiment IS at Wady Halfa. sun
pose, sir, that should report myself there
at onee?''
NO; was to give you your orders.
he led the way to a map upon the wall
and pointed with the end of his cigarette.
You see this place? It's the Oasis of
kurkur-a little quiet. I am afraid. but
excellent air. You are TO get out there a.
quick as possible. You'll find a company
OF the Ninth and half squadron Of cav
airy. You will be in command"
Hilary Joyce looked at the name, print
ed at the intersection of two black lines.
without another dot upon the map for
several inches around it.
"A village. sir?"
mo. well. Not very good water. I'm
AFRAID, but you soon get accustomed to
natron. It's an important post as being
at the junction Of two caravan routes.
Ali routes are closed now. Of course, but
stiH you never know who might come
along themp
I'VE are there, I presume, to prevent
raiding?''
Well, between you and me, there's
really nothing to raid You are there to
intercept messengers. They must cali at
the wells. or course, you have only lust
come out. but you probably understand
already enough about the conditions Of
this country to know that-there Is a great
deal of disaffection about, and that the
Khalifa is likely to try and keep in touch
with his adherents. Then, again, SEN
oussf lives up that way"-he waved his
cigarette to the Westward Khalifa
might send a Messenger to him along that
route. Anyhow, your duty Is to arrest
every one coming along, and get some
account of him before you let him CO.
You don't talk Arabic, 1 suppose?"
Il am learning, SIR
WELL well, you'd have time enough
for study there. And you'll have a native
officer. Ali something or other. who
! speaks English and can interpret for you.
| Well, goodby-Tl tell the chief that you
| reported yourself. Get on to your post
4 lOM dS QG1Chly dS YOU CdU
Railway to Baliani, the post boat to As
| souan, and then two days on camel in
the Libyan desert with an Ababdeh guide,
and three baggage camels to tie one
| down to their own exasperating pace.
However, even two and half miles an
| hour mount up in time. and at last, on
| the third evening. from the blackened
| Stag heap OF a hill which is called the
| Jebel Kurkur, Hilary Joyce looked down
upon a distant clump OF palms, and
| thought that this cool patch Of green in
| the midst Of the mereiless blacks and yell
| lows was the fairest color effect that he
| had ever seen. An hour later he had
ridden into the little camp, the guard had
| turned out to salute him, his native sub
ordinate had greeted him Ia excellent
English. and he had fairly entered into
his own.
1t was not an exhilaratMg place for a
lengthy residence. There was one large
bowl-shaped grassy depression sloping
down to the three pits Of brown and
bracklsh water. There was the grove
of palm trees also, beautiful TO look upon
but exaspeFating n view of the fact that
| nature has provided her least shady trees
on the very spot where shade is needed