Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1910-01-26

Entrance to the Roc Sea.
On the foreshore OF the Arabian
coast in the strait of Bah ell Nsandeb.
at the southern entrance to the Red
sea. stands Il large white house con
corning which the travellers 10 the far
east may hear Il curious story. In the
middle OF the nineteenth century,
when NJ. dc Lesseps after many Diff
culties had successfully foated the
Suez Canal company, the governor OF
the. British port of Alden, about 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
a terrific storm of Sokotra. had put
In for repairs.
In the mind of the governor curiosity
was at once aroused as TO the destina-
ton OF so large command, curiosity
which increased as he found 1t impos-
sibis to extract any further informa-
ten from the French admiral or his
officers beyond the statement that
they were upon an ordinary cruise. an
explanation which the former was not
tho sAst 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,
pave orders to go very tortoise-like on
the repairs and then set to work to
take the Frenchmen or their guard by
giving a succession of such entertain
ments as both his slender means and
wo1ld afford.
Bat, though ut 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, II 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. It occurred to the gov
e<nor that 10y 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 ad-
mirer. by which 1t was discovered
that Perrin island was the objective
point.
At this information the governor
opaned his eyes wide indeed. for, if
the SueZ canal were cut through, Pc
rim, as commanding the southern en-
trance to the Red sea, in the middle
Of the strait Of Bab-el-Mandeb, would
be a place of great strategic impor-
lance. over which, without doubt, II
was the intention of the French ad-
miral to hoist the tricolor.
Secretly giving orders, therefore, for
a gunboat to Immediately embark q
detachment OF soldiers and steal away
In the night for Perrin island, the gov
ernOr then announced a farewell ban
Quet and ball for the day but one fol
lowing, a final act of courtesy Will
which the French admiral would will
ing1y have dispensed, for he was anx
ious to sail, but which he could no.
well refuse on account of the use h'
had made OF the British supplies anC
machinery at Alden.
SO the dinner and party In du,
course came off. the governor being il
high spirits, because in the meantime
he had received the news Of the occu
patton of Perrin, which under the cir
= oamstances would surely be followe'
by the lOnged for promotion, and tn
: French admiral was equally happy
for he hoped on the morrow to adj
, tho same important little speck of lam
to the dominion Of his own country
I thereby covering his breast with tn
stars and himself with maritime glor,
= Next day. after an Interchange c
cordial farewells. the French squadrO
Il sailed away to an apparently unknow
destination, until. when clear Of til
Il land, the course was laid full speed q
- rect Cor Perrin island.
- Then what were the dismay and di
appointment of the French admir-
and his officers when, on coming
sight of their destination. they behe
the British flag flying aud compar
y of soldiers drawn up to give them
, proper salute. 1t Is said the FrenC
admiral was so mortified at being thu
Outwitted that he first flung his coo
ed hat overheard and then followed
himself into the sea.
Be this as ii may. as Perrin WI
clearly already occupied by the Br
ish. the Onl counter move which &
@ French could make was to take pc
session of strip Of the foreShore
the opposite Arabian coast, whe
they built the fortified white house
question, but as the place was entire
at the mercy of the guns on Perrin
land II Wa shortly abandoned. TO