The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-12-11

bloodstained sheik groveling before the
commander. evidently imparting some
very wonderful news.
I'VE shall be compelled 10 wait" said
the guard, 10 which words the prince
gave a groan, albeit OF gratitude. a
spy has just arrived from the English
ranks. lie brings the astonishing It'd
ings that the Mahdi is dead-that he
was poisoned"
What cried Bardoff. felgninG
dead?"--
"A message was received from some
Russian prince who escaped from
Khartoum, and who is now in hiding
In the Kohreb range"
Bardof reached over and seized Dor
othys ha ID.
What does II all mean?" she wills
pered in despair.
Hope. comrade, # means hope" was
the answer
Thank God. thank Cod was the
prayerful whisper.
Our messages have been received by
the English
What, those sent by the vultures?"
Yes. IL is all a miracle cannot
believe It. That man you see there ges-
ticulating before the commander is a
SPY escaped from the British lines. He
brings the news. The Mahdis death
appalls them. They are simply dunn
founded. Look at them"
But what is TO be done? How shall
that serve u.s." was the bitter query.
Wait we shall see. It means delay,
and happily delay means darkness, and
darkness flight"
Il am ready" murmured Dorothy.
Lead and / will follow"
For a moment there were no words
between them. One by one the fires
We're extlnguished according to orders.
Then in the solemn night the silent
Ansar armed themselves 10 the teeth
and took up their stand in the ranks
ready 10 dash down into the English
camp.
Half fearing. yet more than half be-
lieving the staggering tidings which had
come by such a roundabout way into
the camp OF the Ansar the council in
state resolved % hurry the dervishes
into the field, doubtful what effect upon
the popular mind the tidings Of the
Mahdfs passing might have
At last the signal cane. and the solid
column began 10 move. Here and
there the fiat fianges OF ? dervish spear
gave forth a CLEAN, and tae white Hanks
or an Arab steed shOne through the rift
Everything depended upon taking the
enemy By surprise; so the native host
moved on in silence.
Suddenly from far over the sand
dunes toward the sea there shot a
beam Of vivid white light. il was the
Of gunboat in the harbor OF
Suakhn. Instantly the mighty host was
bathed i'm a food Of pale sunshine. The
siienf concourse seemed 10 have been
lifted out OF the plain by the transhgur-
ing beams-to float onward ia midair.
their swarthy forms in strong Silhouette
10 the watchers from behind. Still the
Ansar was -uadismayed by this wonder.
Dorothy clutched the hand Of her COM
panion. dra wing a deep breath before
the wonderful enchantment. and before
she could return that pressure. two
tongues OF flame burst from the very
heart Of the overlooking crag opposite
them; and two crimson balls OF fire were
projected over the plain. until they eX-
ploded Ike double stars over the derv-
shes. scattering "a shower of deadly
shrapnel and blowing a hole in the
ranks OF the Ansar. Then the pandc-
monium of battle broke loose.
Two more searchlights stretched their
funnel shapes over the wilderness and
seemed TO tangle uo the astonished
dervishes ia their CHASTITY beams. till all
the white plain resembled a tempest
whipped sea. wherein a myriad OF souls
faFf VFfF
and swept forward By an irresistible
tide.
Suddenly Bardon turned to his dunn
founded guaTu. Go tell the commander,
the noble Osman Digna, that / must
see him al once. Tell him that I bear
precious tidings from far Khartoum---"
1t is useless now" said the guard
testify can YOU not see that the bat
tie IS or"
But / cannot delay Ionger-I dare
not" with a great show Of Impotence
the prince thrust his hand into his glib
heb and brought forth a handful OF gold
pieces. "Go, IN the name Of Allah and
the Mahdi; tell him that / await his
call
The man drew a breath Of astOnish-
ment. gave the princes haggard face a
quick glance. clutched the coins greed
Ily and was away. The other guard
toted the transaction and showed signs
OF rising jealousy.
Ard you" broke in the prince. div
ing again into his "ibbeh, and bringing
forth another handful Of coin go and
bring me a drink of water from the
wells. that / may be fresh and fun OF
speech when I stand before the COM
mander, and Allah De with you.''
The guard. who had done many such
errauds for his captive before. did not
think for a moment but that ne might
do likewise with safety again. lie
folded his hands about the coins. buried
them in his bosom and started or a.
fun speed.
Come" cried Bardon. hOarsely TO his
comrade our time IS at hand"
what do YOU mean?' asked Dorothy.
TO the lines-to the English. Coo
alone knOWs, but follow me-"
The prince and his charge were soon
swallowed up In the mass Of tents.
Dorothy reached out and seized her
protectors Rlrdle with the grip OF death.
we shall have FIVE minutes-pcr
ten-the start OF them; and even then
their search Will be a hard one. Night
is deepening. Don't be afraid. comTade.
Take hope
Il fear nothing" came the answer.
"Faster-faster. ! can cling TO YOU
Straight 10 the rear OF the vast en-