The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1905-10-04
But the Passengers Never Missed
the Game, in the Light Of the
u. Travellers Story.
Copyright, 1895, by the Short

Copyright, 1895, by the Short
Story Publishing Company
The ferryboat Rappahannock had
an experience in the winter of 1873
that will never be forgotten by any
of her passengers.
The Rappahannock left Brooklyn
well laden with passengers and
started on her customary trip al
most directly across the rivera
very short and unusually easy voy-
age. Before even reaching the mid
die of the stream, however, the ice
and fog had thrown her completely
out of her course.
When, after long and perilous
battling with the ice jams and many
hairbreadth escapes from collisions,
the pilot suddenly sighted the land
ing place on the New York side, he
found it occupied by sister boat,
which had been driven there to
avoid destruction. He backed out,
only to be lost again, and for three
hours this boat, now become a mere
tramp, wandered aimlessly up and
down the East river with it's load of
excited passengers.
Between extremes of impotence
and excitement was a small proper
ton of passengers who remained
calm. Among these was group of
men in the cabin who, after having
read and re read the morning
papers, were casting about for some
other method of killing time. One
suggested game of cards.
Cards." laughed one of his COM
panions in misery. who'd carry
cards on a ferryboat?"
Here is a euchre deck which is
at your service.
The speaker, evidently globe
trotter, drew from under the bench
la travelling bag, much worn and
embellished by tags, labels and
hieroglphics. From this he produc-
ed pack of cards and rendered it
to the man who had suggested a
game. In a moment four were cut
ting for deal.
The cards were distributed rapid
ly, and the dealer was about to turn
the trump when a loud shrek
pierced the air and a woman oppo-
site suddenly sank fainting to the
floor.
The tension among the passen-
gers had become so great that a
panic seemed imminent.
Don't be alarmed; it is nothing
serious" said the dealer, calmly.
"The lady simply caught sight of
her own frightened face in the mir
ror, and the shock caused her to
faint. 1t reminds me of a thrilling
experience an American traveller
had while humping through Syria.
But, pardon me, the game!"
Once more he made a movement
to turn the trump, when one of the
party exclaimed:
There can't be a better time or
place than this for telling a thrilling
experience"
YES" said another. Lets have
the story before we begin the
game"
The stranger leaned back, passed
the cigar case. and, having lighted
a weed himself. began:
at is an unwritten law among the
wild Bedouins east of the Red sea
that If an infidel traveller is attend
ed on his journey by one of the
faithful he is safe from the attacks
of Mohammedan robbers. But let
that same traveller become separat-
ed from the Arab guard that he has
bribed to give him safe conduct
through his own bandit-infested
country. and he becomes legitimate
prey.
"The party in which this Ameri-
can was travelling had been enter
ing Syria from the south. On the
afternoon of a resting day someone
suggested a jaunt to a famous old
we'll, where it was said were some
very ancient tumuli. But, knowing
the Bedouins to be conscientious
liars. and sick of unrewarded
chase for phantom treasures. the
American begged to be left behind
In charge of two tents, which were
pitched side by side on the bank OF
the stream.
4 This was at last agreed upon,
the whole party except himself go
ing off on their three days trip.
leaving their comrade stretched at
full length on a rug. his narghili. or
water pipe. lighted for company.
This oriental atmosphere, gentle