Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1913-05-14


how he was going to accomplish the
feat
What mattcred the ragged beard
upon his face. the ragged clothes upon
his body. the tattered cloths upon his
feet, the grotesque attitude and en-
semble? The Lord OF Life saw into
his heart and understood. And who
might say with what Joy Pandora
gazed upon her work, knowing as she
did what still remained within her
casket?
From these heights, good occasional
ly for any mans soul, George came
down abruptly and humanity to the
prosaic question OF where would he
make his bed that night? To lie down
at the north side OF the fire meant a
chill in the morning; the south side,
the intermittent, acrid breath OF the
hro Itself: so he threw down his blan-
ket and bags east OF the fire, wrapped
himself up and sank into slumber,
light 1ut dr&amless.
WHAT was that? He sat ND. alert.
straining his ears. How long had he
been asleep An hour by his watch.
What had Awakened him? Not
SOUND anywhere, yet something had
startled him out OF his sleep. He
glanced over the camp. That bundle
was Ryanne. He waited Not n move
ment there. No sign OF life among the
camelboys; and the flaps OF the two
tents were closed. BAIL Nerves.
probably; and he would have lain
down again had his gaze not roved out
toward the desert Something moved
out there. upon the misty, moonIit
space. He shaded his eyes from the
IRE. now but a heap OF glowing EN-.
oers. He got up. and SILVER after
shlVer wrinkled his spine. Oh, no;
IT could not be a dream; he was
awake 1t was a living thing, that
long. bObbing camel-train. coming di.
rectly toward the oasis, no doubt at
tracted by the freight. Fascinated.
incapable Of movement, lie watched
the approach. Three white dots: and
these grew and grew and at length be-
came Nth helmets PItb.
helmets! Who but white men wore
pith-helmets IN the desert? White
men! The temporary paralysis left
him Crouching, he ran over TO Ry-
anne and shook him.
But George smothered the question
with his hand. Hush For Gods
sake. make no noise! Get up and
stand guard over Fortunes tent.
There's n caravan outside. and I'm
going out TO meet IT, Ryanne. Ryanne.
there's white man out there!"
George ran as fast as he could
toward the incoming caravan. He met
1t two or three hundred yards away.
The broken line OF camels bobbed up
and down oddly.
Are you white men" he called
Yes said deep. resonant voice.
And stop where you are: there's no
hurry"
Thank God" cried George. at the
verge OF breakdown.
What the devil Flanagan.
here's white man In a dress-suitl
God save u.s." The speaker laughed.
Yes. white man: and there's a
white woman in the camp back there.
a white woman! Great God. don't you
''+'''' q s'''ihh = NAlli6 hOIudNs george
clutched the man by tho foot desper.
atcly. "A white woman"
The man kicked Georges hand away
and slashed at his camel. Flanagan.
and you. Williams. get your guns in
shape. This doesn't look good 10 me.
twenty miles from the main gamelieh.
! told you It was odd. that fire. Live
ly. now"
George ran after them. staggering
Twice lie fell headlong. Hut pc
l7uEhed as he got Up; and IL WASN'T
exactly human laughter. either When
he reached camp he saw Mahomed
and tho three strangers. the latter
with their rifles held Ineuacingly. For
tune stood before the flap OF her tent.
bewildcred AZ the turn I'm their affairs.
Behind the leader OF the newcomers
vas Byanue. and he was talking rap
idly.
Well Tho leader demanded OF Ma
homed. What have you got to say
for yourself"
"Nothingl"
Take care! n wouldn't come hard
70 put a bullot into your ugly hide.
lOu can't abduCt white women these
DAYS. you begg1rl Welt. what have
F0J 20 say2'
Mahomed folded his arms; his ex-
preston was calm and unafraid But
down In his heart the fires OF hell.
wn-o raging II only he had brought
his rifle from the tent. even knife:
and emo mad moment n he di@d for II!
And he had been gentle 20 the girl.
he had withheld the lash from the
men. Re had not put into action
single uiau arranged for their misery
and humiliation! Truly his blood had
turned 10 water. and nc was worthy
OF dea6h The white man, always and
ever l0e white man won in TIE end.
TO hive como this far. and ttso1 to be
cheated out % his 70 ScnEe hY chanoai