The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1909-09-30
Experience
In Egypt
Which May BE a True Story OF
Merely Pigment of
the Writer.


who read this will have heard of Cen
eral Gordon, K. G. B., and of his assas-
sination, through treachery, at Khar-
toum, in the year 1885. Some even may
have Teen interested in study of his
life and may recall how through the
then premier of ERgland, wv. E. Glad
stone), whose policy at this time was
vacillating and weak and whose motto
was alleged to be, peace at any price"
it came about that Gordon was not re-
lieved by either one of the two forces
sent up the Nile and across the desert.
The history of these expeditions, their
many hardships, their frequent fights
with numerous and fanatical foes, COM
prising both Dervishes and Arabs and
the final reaching of ,Khartoum. only
to find that all the suffering and hard
chips endured had been futile, are fit
subjects for other stories, but have no
bearing upon this, except as an expla-
nation of how the writer came to be in
Egypt at that period.
OF the following episode there has
always been, around the mess room and
campfire, two opinions. The one an
absolute belief in every detail, especial
IL after evidence having been furnished
that the writer does actually possess
occult and uncanny powers; the other,
that the supposed experiences are the
recapitulation of an unusually vivid
dream. Let the reader form his own
conclusion while the writer continues,
as the facts are recorded in memory.
My regiment had embarked from
Southampton for Suakim. Many Of
ficers, besides myself, had gone by the
shorter overland route via Cairo. Ar
rived at Cairo and having couple OF
days to devote to sightseeing, | made
up my mind to start out that very even.
ing of arrival on a one-party expedi.
tion, not being able to persuade any OF
my friends to join me. They apparent.
ay thought more of a post-prandial nap
a cigar or a quiet game of cards than
of anything else in the immediate pres
ent.
Being extraordinarily fond of ad
venture and not then having knowl
edge of the treachery and cOwardice o.
the Egyptians of that day, paid LITTLE
heed to the advice of my comrades ant
entered upon the program laid out TO
myself with zest and enjoy ment whicl
would have been sadly marred had
known then, as l afterwards learned
that it was of common occurrence t.
waylay, rob and murder hated red
coat whenever the opportunity offered
Having visited the bazaars, and walked
as I judged, to the extreme limit Of tn
town, was retracing my steps t
Shepherds Hotel, through the ill-light
ed and dirty streets, when heard CT!
the sound of falling body, and the
followed the rush of hurrying fOotstep
Thinkng-if l stopped to reason 6
saIl-that brother-in-arms had possibl
got into an argument, or fight, l ha
tened in the direction from which til
sounds had reached me. So great We
my hurry that it was not until l ha
etripped over PROSTATE body that
realized that murder had been cor
mitted or attempted. STOPPING low
was surprised to find that the victim
whether of robbery, malice or race fer
L did not then consider-was an ART
and by his dress it was easily seen tn
he was Shiek, and undoubtedly OF
of high standing. Having some know
edge of first aid work, did all tn
was possible for the sufferer and
fact became literal Samaritan. Sc
ing signs of returning consciousness
was prepsring to leave, in order that
might seek more practical aid, when
was astonished to hear q request
broken English not to- leave the 81
ferer, as it was with whom he wish
ito speak; that twas through his "me