The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-02-18

prefer to die In the canteen."
Live there, You mean"
whats this about being shep-
herded along?" asked Joe Mum
merry.
"Haye you seen no cloud Of dust
on the horizon, every now and then.
and from almost every direction?"
asked Tant de Soft. Haven't yon
seen suspiciousslooiing riders. in
twos and threes. suddenly appear
above a sand-dune. and quickly dis
appear? Haven't you seen d solitary
scout, sitting like a craven image.
on a racing camel, at dawn Of every
day since we left the post2s
mo. haven't" stated Pere Pous-
sin.
mo? Well, you should march with
your eyes open, instead OF stagger-
ing along halE-asleep. bent double
and with your eyes on the ground
as though you were looking for your
lost innocence.
'0h, shut up, vow old Wind-bag."
"Yon leaky wine-skin, be quiet /. I.
"All the same--1 don't like It."
persisted Tant de Soft.
go and tell the Major you don't
and let us sleep"
A sudden cry from a sentry who
extends q pointing arm.
A blast from the whistle 49,. a
shouted order -.
In less than a minute the strag.
Cling, sprawling. recumbent column
is in position. prepared to receive
cavalry or anything else.
A whirlwind. consisting OF bun,
white. brown and grey camels rid
den By yelling. riiie-brandishing men
in flowing and fiuttering white
clothing. sweeps down upon the
bayonetbristling double rank, on
the flank Of which Major Riccoli
sits, cool and steady. on his horse.
"Wait for IT. he cries. as D fem
rides are raised from the "ready''
to the "present.1
It was a wild fierce charge, and II
the trihesmen come on. the men
must be swept away. stamped fat.
The strain 10 terrible. The in.
stinct Of self-preservation strong.
"A man throws his rife up TO aaia
shoulder--and a sergeant kicks him
so violently from behind that he q.
most falls.
"Steadyyon wretched recruit,
he groWls. "Wait Cor II"
"This is madness" observes Tant
de Soif as the avalanche surges
down upon the thin khaki line.
But there Is method in Major Ric:
colts madness.
Suddenly. man who has through
out rert ahead Of the charging
horde, throws up his hand. and In
stantly the company divides and
wheels, one half to the left. the
other to the right. and instead OF
overwhelming the soldiers and
trampling them into sand, out-ilanks
them on either wing. surrounds and
envelopes them.
The leader rides up to Major Hic,
coli. laughs and saiutes In semi-miIi.
tary fashion.
"Good morning. Major" says he,
in excellent French. "You were en-.
pecting us7"
Il was. Prince Raisul." he replies,
my men were not You have
thus already seen something OF theiz
steadiness and discipline"
"Quite good. my dear Major"
eyes. ! am glad that neither you
nor any man Of yours was shot
One may observe that you took 4
risk. Prince Raisul."
"oh. I like taking risks, don't
ron? j. I too am glad for all you,
--our-sakes that no one was
shot 49,"
From that hour the military mis-
sion" was undoubtedly shepherded
as Tant de Soif had said. or es
corted as Raisul said. on the re
mainder OF its roundabout and ter
rible Journey-roundahout because
no one whosoever was allowed C
approach France-defying. Spain-de
tying, Europe-defying Mekaxzen. b.
the direct and secret route through
oasis and mountain pass: terrible
because OF the Incredible heat. lacl
OF water and looseness OF the soi
and shifting sand -.
And one morning. q day or two
later. the red tired eyes OF the WEAR
marchers were gladdened by III.
sight. upon the far horizon. OF thu
minarets and domes Of the city, o.
Mekaxxen. rising from q sea OF palm.
that appeared In the shimmerinl
light to iiow about the base or the
mighty elf Of rock. on the summit
OF which was percheA the great eta
del Castle OF Makaxzen. impregnable
lnviolatA virgin even TO that dag.
fcopmiaAs. 1859. r. 4. Stokss Gel
The Legion linda 40 aHaxina
situation, Menoay. IN Mekaxxeu.