Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1910-01-19

ao T0usc on the soreshore Of
tne Arabian Coast at the Southern
Entrance to the Red Sea.
On the foreshore OF the Arabian
coast in the strait OF Babel anaeb
at the southern entrance 70 the Rel
sea, stands a large white house con.
corning which the travellers 10 tho far
east may hear curious story. In tho
'nlddle OF the nineteenth centurx
"nen Nj. dc Lesseps after MANY DIM
cuiues mad successfully foated the
Suez Canal company, the governor OF
the British port OF Alden ahout 100
miles distant. was surprised one morn
ing by the visit OF French squadron
OF very unusual size for that part of
the orient. which. having encountered
terrific storm of Sokotra. had mt
I'm for repairs.
In tue mind Of the governor curiosity
was at once aroused as TO the destina-
uon or so large Il command. n curiosity
winch increased as he found Il limos
sible TO extract any further informa-
ton from the French admiral or his
officers beyond the statement that
'hey were upon a ordinary cruise. an
explanation which the former was not
the least inclined TO believe.
Firm In the belief. therefore. that
some political move of great impor-
lance was afloat. If not afoot. the gov
ernor. In order first OF all to gain time
gave orders TO 90 very tortoise-like on
the repairs and then set TO work to
take the Frenchnen or their guard by
giving succession OF such entertain
ments rs both his slender means and
the awful barrenno.s Of the place
would afford.
But. though at the end OF two weeks
the French and British officers had got
upon the best OF terms, the immediate
destination of the French squadron
remained as much Of n mystery to
the governor of Alden as before. and
In spite OF all possible delay the re-
pairs were nearly completed
Now. it happened that the wife OF
the governor possessed an Irish maid,
who had been receiving attentions
from one Of the French petty officers
attentions which the girl did not re-
gard seriously. II occurred TO the gov
ernor that by such means something
might be learned OF his unexpected
visitors plans. and n private CONVEX
sation between the governors wife
and her maid resulted In another be
tween the latter and her French adj
mIrer, by which it was discovered
that Perrin island was the objective
point.
At this information the governor
opened his eyes wide indeed. for. IL
the Suez canal were cut through. Pc
rim. as commanding the southern en-
trance 20 the Red sea. in the middle
OF the strait OF Babel Mandeb. would
be n place Of great strategic impor-
lance. over which. without doubt. Il
was the intention Of the French ad-
mlral 10 hoist the tricolor
Secretly giving orders, therefore, for
a gunboat 10 Immediately embark a
detachment OF soldiers and steal away
In the night for Perrin island. the gov
ernor then announced n farewell ban
quet and ball for the day but one fol
lowing. n final act OF courtesy with
which the French admiral would Will
ingly have dispensed. for he was anx-
ious TO sail. but which he could not
we'll refuse on account OF the use he
had made OF the British supplies and
machinery at Alden.
So the dinner and party In due
course came OF. the governor being in
high spirits. because IN the meantime
he had received the news Of the occu-
patton OF Perrin. which under the cir
cumstances would surely be followed
by the Ionged for promotion. and the
French admiral was equally happy,
for he hoped on the morrow TO add
the same important little speck OF land
to the dominion Of his own country
thereby covering his breast with the
stars and himself with maritime glory
Next day. after an interchange OF
cordial farewells. the French squadron
sailed away to an apparently unknown
destination. until. when clear OF the
land, the course was laid full speed di-
rect for Perrin island.
Then what were the dismay and dis
appointment OF the French admiral
and his officers when, on coming in
sight OF their destination, they beheld
the British dag flying and a company
OF soldiers drawn up 10 give them a
proper salute. IL is said the French
admiral was so mortified at being thus
outwitted that he first flung his cock
ed hat overheard and then followed II
himself into the sea.
Re this IS il may, as Perrin was
clearly already occupied by the Brit
ish, the only counter move which the
French could make was TO take pos
session OF a strip OF the foreshore OF
the opposite Arabian coast, wher,
they built the fortified white house il
question, but as the place was entirely
at the mercy OF the guns on Perrin is
land II was shortly abandoned. TO re
main TO this day as a monument of {
French admiraTs undoing.-Exc hange