Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-08-09

1t found the captives untalkative. The
girl and the two men sat modify
about the fire. Fatigue had dulled
their bodies and hopelessness their
minds. The men were. ragged now,
unkempt; stubble Of beard covered
their faces, gaunt yet burned. George
had lost his remaining pump, and as
his stockings were now full Of holes,
he had, in the last flicker Of personal
pride, wound about them some cast
off cloths he had found. There was
not enough water for additions; there
was scarcely enough to assuage thirst.
By and by, Ryanne. without turning
his head. spoke to George. you say
you questioned the courier?"
Eyes"
"He says he showed the note to no
one?"
YES"
"And so no one will try to find us?"
mo"
Ryanne had asked these questions
q dozen times and George had always
given the same answers.
Up and away at dawn, for they must
reach the we'll that night. 1t was
terrible day for them all. Even the
beasts showed signs of distress. And
the worst Of 1t was, Mahomed was
not quite sure Of his route. Fortunate
", they found the well. They drank
like mad people.
Ryanne, who had discovered a pack
Of cards In his pocket, played patience
upon spot smoothed level with his
hand He became absorbed In the
game; and tho boys gathered round
him curiously. Whenever he succeed
ed in turning out the flfty-two cards.
he would smile and rub his hands to-
,gether. The boys at length consid-
erred him unbalanced mentally, and In
consequence looked upon him as a
near-holy man.
Between Fortune and George con-
Yersation dwindled down to query
and an answer.
Can / do anything for your
! "No, thanks; I am getting along
nicely"
Tonight she retired early, and
George joined Ryanne's audience.
TT averages about nine cards to the
play" he commented.
Ryanne turned over an aca Ten or
fifteen minutes went by. IN the sew
eral attempts he had failed to score
the full complement.
George laughed
whats in your mind@ cried Rr
aims peevishly. If it's anything
worth telling. shoot It out shoot 1t
outl"
u was thinking what I'd do 70 q
club-steak Just about now"
Ryanne stared beyond the fire. "a
club-steak. Grilled mushrooms"
Sauce Bordelalse. Artichokes.'
mo. Asparagus, vinaigrette'
whats the matter with .endivesT.
"That's so. Well, asparagus with
butter.sauce-"
"Grilled sweets. coffee, Benedictfne,
and cigars"
"And o magnum Of 1900 to start of
with" Ryanne, with sudden change
of mood, scooped up the cards and
flung them at Georges head. do you
want us both to become gibbering
1diots?"
George ducked He and the boys
gathered in the fluttering paste-boards.
You're right, Percival." Ryanne ad-
united humbly. 1T will not hurt us
to talk out loud. and We are all brood.
ing too much. am crazy for the want
OF tobacco I'd trade the best dinner
ever cooked for a decent cigar"
George put hand reluctantly into
his pocket He brought forth, with ex-
treme gentleness, a cigar, the wrapper
of which was broken in many places.
1--WE saved this for days." he said.
With his pen-hnife he sawed 1t deli
cately into two parts, and gave one to
Ryanne.
you're good fellow, Jones. and
I've turned you shabby trick I
'shan't forget this bit of tobacco"
TITS the last we've got The boys.
you know, refuse a pull at the water
pipe; defiles EN-, they say. Funny
beggars! And II they gave US tobacco,
I'VE shouldn't have paper or pipes"
RI always carry pipe, but lost 1t
in the shuttle. I never looked upon
smoking as q bad habit I suppose
it's because was never caught before
without 1t. And 1t Is bad habit,
since 1t knocks: up a chap this way
for the lack Of it. Where do you get
your club-steaks In old N. W"
And for an hour or more they SOL
'emnly discussed the cooking here and
there upon the face Of the globe.
BY judicious inquiries George ascer-
tanned that the trip to Bagdad, barr
ing accidents, would take fully thirty
five days. The daily journeys pro-
ceeded uneyentfully. Mahomed main
tanned taciturn grimness. II he
aimed at Ryann e at all, it WAS in
trifling annoyances, such as Ssrget.