The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1917-09-26
A Dangerous
Journey:
By JAMES BRAlNARD

was IN Egypt before the fanatical
outbreak Of 1882. When a trouble Of
that kind is coming those who are not
In the secret either know nothing about
It or have only vague suspicious.
heard some ugly rumors as to what
was about to happen, but did not know
how much dependence could be placed
upon them. 10 all outward appear
ances everything was moving on as
usual.
was obliged to go to Ismailia on
business. II l had known the condi-
ton Of the people of the country l
should not have trusted myself out OF
Port Said, where Europeans were COM
taratively safe. To make a journey
into the interior was madness. but
did not know 1t. Indeed, | only real
lied that under the circumstances |
would rather not 60. A matter Of Or
binary gain and being murdered were
the alternatives.
l went on night train. Being some
what finical about my diet, took with
me hamper filed with as succuIent
eatables as could get together and on
the top placed box OF cigars from
which only Z few Of the weeds had
been taken. l got into my compaxt.
ment, put my hand baggage on tho
rack and settled myself for Journey.
Being IN smoking compartment, l lit
! a cigar.
The compartment was filled with ma
tives, being the only European in It.
This In itself was not encouraging
The train had hardly got under way
when an old Arab sheik sitting oppo-
site me leaned forward and calmly took
my cigar from between my lips and,
placing it between bis own, smoked it
himself.
To have resented the insult would
have been equivalent to inviting the
man to stab me. I therefore paid no
attention to him and, taking q news
paper from my pocket, began to read
that is, pretended to read. but had
no idea Of what was on the sheet be-
fore me, my mind being taken up with
the fact that was in a compartment
with seven Arabs and utterly at their
mercy. My eyes appeared to be fixed
upon the paper, but l was casting
quick glances sidewise at the natives
and knew by their chatter and occa-
ject Of their conversation.
Then lucky thought occurred to
me. reached up to the rack. got my
box Of cigars from my hamper, took
out one for myself and handed the box
to the sheik who had robbed me Of the
one I had been smoking. He took 1t,
appropriated a handful OF the contents
and passed it to the others. who did
the same, and the box was returned to
me empty.
Notwithstanding my peace offering
/ expected every moment to feel cold
steel entering my vitals. Most OF the
Arabs wore long knives where they
could be seen, and l knew not what
other weapons they had concealed. As
for me, l was unarmed, and even If I
had been armed my opponents were
seven to one.
l cannot describe the agony of that
night. expecting, as did, death at any
moment. The Arabs in my compart-
ment paid no attention to anything
that was going OH in the rest Of the
train, but l had vague feeling that
something very important might be 60
ing on. l can't account for this feel
ing, for heard no sound to produce 1t.
l only knew that l felt that there was
murder in the air.
Finally their looks and acts were SC
suspicious that l bethought myself OF
some other way similar to my offer OF
cigars to placate them. Then my
luncheon occurred to me. Reaching
up again to the rack. l brought down
my hamper, opened 1t and displayed
the eatables. Every mans eyes we've
on them, but not man moved to
touch any of them. l offered the ham
per to the man who sat next me. but
he declined. In turn handed 1t to
every man in the compartment; but
though they all looked with eager eyes
upon the viands, not a man would &C
cept a morsel.
| Al uFSL WdS dStOuiSucu a. ShAo
Then remembered that 10 Arab will
break bread with an enemy.
The moment this occurred to me
knew l was doomed. put my hamper
back on the rack and, wrapping myself
in my overcoat, luy back in my seat
with my eyes closed, to await what
ever was in store for me.
heard great deal OF wranglinl
on the part of the Arabs, but thought
would rather rely on my weakness
than Oh being prepared for resistance
that would be useless. So | did no.
open my eyes. Presently felt hanC
Oh my arm. Thinking my time hat
come, l looked, and there was thu
sheik who had taken my cigar from
my mouth holding out piece OF dr.!
bread. took it and, biting from 1t
chewed vigorously.
A food of relief and Joy seemed tt
have been poured over me. l knew
from that moment I was safe. Reach
ing up for my hamper, l took 1t dowl
L.