El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-05-06
The Herald's
Daily Short Stsr '
In the Hands OF Bandits

I less convinced of the actual presence Of
danger. The shots merely raised his
spirits, but, as no adventure followed
he grew more gloomy than ever.
Abdullah had to stand much abuse
but could find no better excuse than
10 say that it was not his fault that
the French maintained such splendid
order in their colonies. 1t would be
exciting enough as soon as they got
little farther away from civilization.
few nights later Hansen was
awakened by a pair Of powerful ahands,
which held him as in a vice, his eyes
were blindfolded. and he trembled as
he heard shouts, howls and shots out
side his tent
He tried to tear himself loose, but
his hands and feet were tied and he
was roughly thrown across the back of
a camel. while he heard Abdullah beg
ging the bandits not to carry off his
beloved master. whose powerful native
country would revenge his death, bonn.
harding the country from their battle
ships. Hansen did not stop TO think
that it was rather strange that Abdul
lah spoke French instead OF his native
tongue.
The camel started off full speed, in
what direction Hansen could not tell.
The ropes cut into his flesh and he
began to find the situation less anus
ing. The next evening the bandits
halted after ride of nearly 16 hours
and Hansen was thrown into a noun
tain cave. The bandits were kind
enough. however. to loosen the ropes a
little, before they left him in a corner
Of the cave, outside the entrance OF
which a sentry was walking back and
forth. For several days. Hansen was
left here alone with his thoughts.
which were anything but pleasant row.
The food was plentiful enough. but of
the coarsest kind
At last a tall. ferocious looking ban
dit entered the cave and told him he
would be set free il he would write
a check for so, 900 francs on the Bank
Of Algiers. Hansen refused and the
bandit left him, uttering oaths and
threats.
An hour afterwards he was taken
outside the cave to witness the shoot
ing of a fellow prisoner, Abdullah's
young son. who died like a hero, a
hooking smile on his lips as the vol
ley was fired. Hansen had just time
enough to see that he was in a camp
sheltered by low hills. but where he
was he could not make out. Again he
was thrown into the cave and asked
TO make out the check. and again he
refused. He has always been very
stubborn.
In the evening an old sheik entered
and told him he was to be shot the
next day, as he would not pay and
they had news that there were French
troops in the netghborhood.
Hansen was much perturbed and did
not sleep. In the middle of the night
he heard a voice whispering his name.
1T is I. Abdullah. I have succeeded
in cutting my ropes and am going for
assistance"
do you think you will be back in
time Hansen groaned. 81 am to be
shot at sunrise"
by the beard of the Prophet! shall
have to hurry. 7 must be off right
away"
Hansen spent the remainder of the
night trembling with fear. wondering
az dawn why nobody came to shoot
him.
1t was bright day when he heard
someone coming and when he looked
up. ha was surprised to see a French
officer standing before him. He was
not even armed and close by stood Alb
dullah and some Of the bandits. Han
sen thought they looked very miser-
able.
Cut the\ropes." the Frenchman COM
manded and the men hurriedly carried
out his ordex
You have been treated outrageous
ly.' said the officer. Unfortunately
I have only just been told. or I should
have been here before"
The first Hansen did. when free once
more was TO throw his arms around
Abdullah. whom he thanked with tears
Of gratitude in his eyes. He was
rather surprised when the Frenchman