Evening star., 1924-07-13

Foran cast his fortunes with the
East African police, which prom
ised to furnish the adventure that
he craved. A transfer from the
army was effected, and he was
appointed assistant district super
intendent of police at Nairobi, in
the Interior of the country He
experienced many thrilling ad-
ventures, some of which are de-
scribed in this and three succeed
ing articles.
BY MAI. w. r. FORAN. F.. r. G. 5.
AIROBI, like all new towns in
a pioneer country. was in
tested with many undesir-
able characters. We had
them all well spotted. and kept a
watchful eye over them. But they
gave US many very anxious moments.
Ewart. the district superintendent
OF police at Nairobi, and my imme-
date superior, gave me all the as
sistance he could. but he was so over
burdened with other duties that his
help could rarely be given. We had
Jointly nicknamed the undesira Bile
elements the BLACK Sheep"-and
many of them were indeed all of that.
These bad characters had drifted
up to British East Africa. many of
Them being colonials who were spoil
Ing for an outlet for their adventur-
Gus spirits. Mostly speaking, their
proclivities centered upon grossly
lawless acts and in the disturbance
or the peace of the community. They
were of the type of men who baIk
at absolutely nothing. and, as a.
natural consequence, they made the
task of maintaining law and order
anything but easy
1 was seated at my desk one after
noon in the central police station.
wondering what new deviltry these
men would be up to next. The pre-
Vious evening there had been two
very daring burglaries in the busi-
ness section of the town, and we sus-
pected some of the BLACK Sheep"
were responsible for them, though
We had no real clues to work upon.
Suddenly my telephone bell rang
sharply and interrupted my reverie.
1 lifted the receiver and answered
the call.
That you, Foran?" came the per-
emptory voice of Ewart from the
other end of the wire.
"Yes. Anything on your mind?"
He said that two of the BLACK
Sheep" were down at Rayne's Hotel
shooting up the bar. They had shot
at and chased off his beat the native
policeman on duty there. Missed
him. fortunately Every ones scat
tered and left them in possession of
the hotel. Get down there as quick
as you can and arrest them. Look
sharp about it! And report back to
me-"
My superior officers voice was cold,
angry and indignant The prospect
was not inviting, for this. was my
frst actual arrest. I was not at all
sure what one had to do in arresting
a man for an offense, and I had no
desire to become a target for these
two drunken roughs.
However, l buckled on my belt and
revolver, signaled to four of my In
dian policemen to follow me, and
started off at run for Rayne's Ho-
tel.
be seen in the neighborhood when
I arrived on the scene, but there was
ample evidence Of the actions of the
two BLACK Sheep" Every window
of the barroom of the hotel was
smashed, and the wreckage of some
of the furniture Uttered the street.
The door of the barroom was closed,
and there was complete silence with
In as listened intently.
1 took stock of the situation, for 1
was at loss how to proceed Finally
I decided to enter the room boldly,
cover the two men with my revolver
and effect their arrest. 1 placed my
four frightened policemen under
cover and instructed them to rush in to
my aid when I blew my whistle.
Then l advanced toward the closed
door, with my revolver held firmly in
my right hand and my knees feeling
weak and infirm. Suddenly / threw
open the door and stepped into the
room.
Hands up! Sharp about it,"
The abrupt command did not come
from me. The two men, leaning
against the bar counter, had me COW
cred with their revolvers. / had been
easily beaten at my own game.
Come on! Up with them - and
give me that revolver"
While one Of the men kept me COW
cred the other advanced toward me
; with his weapon pointing to the
pit Of my stomach. The situation
was not q healthy one. and was
nonplussed. II fred at them, they
could easily kill me first. Ny
thoughts raced through my anxious
brain. First one idea and then an
other was conceived and as quickly
put aside. Finally, / decided to try
a policy of bluff
"Al right" laughed; but there
was no real mirth in the laughter
You've got the drop on me. IN
put them uR"
My hands rose slowly above my
head, and remained there. The taller
of the two men, who had stepped
toward me, sei1ed my wrist and; made
mo drop my revolver on the fioon ]
was stfll covered by both OF their
weaSons.
..whafs the gamer" demanded,
.<You've been soaring the whole town
Z