The new enterprise. (Madison, Fla.) 1901-1908, 1907-01-10


M ing our guide draw dii
IN gram of a proposed hun
liz El ing trip on one side of
smooth stone. Ned oifero
occasional suggestions and asked in
Vulnerable questions, all Of which III
EMO truthfully answered while
looked on in silence.
But see here, old man." said m!
fellow tourist, abruptly, isn't this III,
place where the forty thieves are sup
posed to hang out?'
Our guide shrugged his shoulders
and in broken English suggested thai
II we were afraid TO venture on the
trip we could stay at Alexandria and
be quite out Of reach of the robbers.
But we are not afraid" interposed
1--WE only want TO be prepared for the
robbers in case they put in an appear.
ance."
mo rObbers-no need prepare" Ri
EMO said, earnestly. II been there be-
fore, many time"
This popular American phrase
piouShl a slIllt " .Ntu ups, as llc
closed the contract.
Ned and l were visiting my uncle,
who was then the United States Con-
sui at Cairo. We had planned hunt
ing trip up the Kazaan River long be-
fore We met Rienzo; but Uncle Dick
would not let us 20 alone, and it was
only after much persuasion that lie
consented TO journey under the su-
pervislon Of the dark-sklnned native.
There had been numerous stories
floating about of a band of robbers
supposed to exist in that locality; but
this, instead of lettering us, only made
us both-Ned OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES anx-
ious to go.
1t was very early the next morning
when Rlen2o called us. So early, in
fact, that Ned refused 10 get up for
some time, and was almost forced TO
pull him out of bed.
But we got started finally and when
we halted, late in the afternoon, Ned
and | took run of several hundred
yards TO stretch our stffened legs.
and when we returned Rierzo had
made all the preparations for spending
a night in camp.
Throughout the evening we tramped
along the river in search of game. but
with indifferent success, and it was
not until the next morning that our
hopes in that line were realized.
Rienzo and l were kneeling together
behind clump of bushes about mid
day, a pile of game lying at our feet,
Ned was some distance from me, but
! could hear him banging away when
ever the sky was darkened by n flock
of ducks.
l had just finished reloading my
shotgun, and was about to take aim
at a single bird sitting on the sand
some distance away, when Rienzo help
up warning finger.
mo Shoot he whispered. LAY
down-quick.
l dropped 10 the ground, wondering
what his sudden action meant.
Keep STILL fetch boy" he went ON.
IN low tone of voice, and the next
instant he had walked quietly away.
lay on the ground several moments
before he returned, bringing Ned with
him. They had evidently held q con.
sultation, for, as soon as they reached
me, Ned whispered:
"Renzy says we are in for it now, old
man. That story about the robbers is
only too true"
what do you mean?' asked eager
ly. Have you seen"
"Hushw interrupted Ned, in a guard.
ed voice. Don't speak so loud. Renzy
says he knows they are around here
somewhere, probably attracted by our
shooting"
We crawled on our hands and knees
Tor several hundred yards, and then 1
became disguised with our guides
plan Of action, and halted abruptly.
"Camels gone" he groaned. 1--WE no
goodw
II guess you're right" agreed Ned,
sitting down. "Those thieves have
taken our beasts, and for my part, Pm
glad of it. Let's stay here and shoot
them as they come uP"
mo care" said Rienzo. "They shoot
too-many more"