Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1913-11-14

/
omcer perceived him rise IL the 81,
race ne issued an order to his men
ana the boat, altering its course
puiled directly toward him.
Paul struck out for the shore
On that triangular race he ever
looked back with establishment that
ne should have won, though but
a mars breadth separated him from
failure, and with gratitude that he
escaped the swarming sharks. whose
presence in those waters he had so
stupidity ignored. He felt the shelving
sands beneath his feet at last. stood
erect, laughed, and plunged forward
across the rank underground that
Irlnged the shore, just as the cutter
grounded. Fifty yards to the right
OF MIN the Arab boat had pushed into
sandy cove, and the Italians un-
certain which to pursue, hesitated,
and then ran forward, waist-deep
through the surges, in pursuit of
Lane. AS he ran he heard the spit
or bullets past his head and the re-
port of rifles. Then, just as he began
to anticipate his fate, he heard the
crackle of musketry from along the
shore, and, turning, saw a party of
Whlte-rObed Arabs rise from the de-
preston in which they had lain con-
cealed and pour in furious volley
upon the Italians. Three sailors fell;
after a moment of indecision the rest
turned tail and ran back into the sea,
launching their boat under CALLING
fire and pulling away toward the bat
tleship.
A moment later Paul was surround
ed by the exultant tribesmen
Horses were brought up, and, at
a sign from the yelled woman, Paul
was placed upon the back of a scrub
pony and the troop started at quick
pace into the interior. The low fringe
of mangrove and acacia bushes which
lined the shore quickly gave way to a
waste of sand, into which the horses
legs sank to the fetlock. They jour
neyed onward without pause for
hours; the coast sank into the dis
lance behind the rolling dunes; soon
the wilderness of the Sahara sur
rounded them. But Pauls heart beat
high in ecstacy, for though vallain-
disappearing Arab rode on each side
of him, armed to the teeth and occa-
sionally venting his feelings in an ex-
pressive gesture with his long knife,
before him rode Mademoiselle. He
could not be mistaken. Presently he
would disclose himself. She had not
recognized him.
But at last she did. For, turning
where a small cluster of dying palms
gave unfulflled promise of an oasis,
and riding back to her escort, she
paused and gazed into his face. He
saw her start, saw the quick flush OF
blood dye her cheeks and recede
again; then with an expression OF
sublime contempt, she rode past him,
issued an order to the Arabs, and
the whole party veered sharply to the
right and headed for blue ridge OF
mountains which, as they progressed,
resolved itself into an oasis OF palm
trees and ultimately disclosed the
well-ordered tents of the TURKISH
army. They rode in late in the after
noon.
Paul was, taken to the tent OF the
commander, Fethev Pasha. He had
expected to meet a half-savage no
mad: he encountered instead stall
wart. welI-groomed Turk, in the prime
of life. seated at small camp table,
on which were spread number OF
official-looking documents. An or
derly stood at his side and an armed
guard. on either side of the. captive.
Mademoiselle had disappeared.
After a long. excited colloquy, in
which the bronzed boatmen figured IN
the main, Fethev Pasha addressed
Paul first in italian, then IN french
at last in English.
..Your business here?" he in
CURED.
81 am a traveller answered Paul;
and the commander smiled.
."The accusation is" resumed the
Turk. 'that you leaped from the deck
of a passenger steamer in order 70
head our boat into the path OF an
italian cutter. Unless you can ex-
plain your business somewhat Det-
ter" He smiled expressiveiy.
Shame kept Paul silent The com
mander looking at him. smiled more
and more blandly.
cyan have no Witnesses" he asked.
"The law of Mohammed prescriDes
that three witnesses must give evi-
dence in capital cases. Only two nave
testified against you-the two boat
men" He issued an order TO ms
servant who went out of the tent
leaving Paul standing defiantly be-
tween the two rigid soldiers. Pres
entity the tent door was brushed ASIDE
and the girl entered with the orderly.
At the sight of her Paul weakened for
the first time. The fear OF imminen.
death became reality. the terror OF
that eternal silence. in which they
would be sundered forever, appaiieo
him. His knees trembled and an ICY
4. T. A~r