Year: 1870

The following thrilling story IS from the
pages of book on Egypt jus. published
from the pen of Edwin DeLeon, for nine
years American cousul general to Egypt:


Daoud paused not longer to survey the
victim of his treachery than to pluck his
dagger from the wound. Then raising the
body with difficulty in his arms. he drag
eed it to the rivers bank and hurled 1T into
the turbid understanding with a hoarse
murmur down toward the sea; for the cur
rent sea in near the bank on which lie
stood.


Then, by sudden impulse, throwing
himself wildly on his knees, with the tears
streaming from has eyes, the unhappy man
burst into an incoherent rhapsody of re-
morse, prayer and supplication to the Vir-
gin Mary, that she might cleanse and pur-
ify his soul from this, as from previous sins;
vowing that he would devote the rest of his
life to her service works of kindness
and charity; beseeching her not so much
for his own sinful sake. as for that OF her
vestal virgin, Ell Wards, whom ne would
henceforth make the guide and guardian
OF his life; pleading for rpardon on the bank
of that lone river, with all the fervor aud
earnestness of criminal to- an earthly
Judge, sitting in judgment on him.


Whei, be iuad finished his prayer-heard,
perhaps, at that higher bar, but to which
no answer was vouchsafed by sign or por-
tent, to his excited senses-the Syrianrose,
wiped carefully all signs of blood from his
dagger. which he again stuck into his sash,
and descending the bank, again peered anx-
iously into the rushes for the bark which
was to bear him across 10 Rhoda Island to
see the Prince Nezle Khanum.


At length he found IL: saall boat like
caique; very frail and slight, with two
slender oars. The river was at low water
yet the curren. was very strong still, and
dangerous to be upset in, from the under
tow which was apt 10 drown any one who
sunk in its tide. however good a swimmer.


The Syrian, however, was intent on other
things and eager to finish the interview
with the princess on which SO much de-
pended. He took but little heed of the
slSiff but launched it into the stream, seized
the oars and pulled rapidly away from
shore. Scarcely had he reached the strong
current, however, when he was surprised
to find the water rising round his ankles
in the bottom of the boat, which lad been
dry when ne got into it. His subtle mind
Immediately suspected treachery; and
minutes investigation showed the trap set
for him by the princess, whose cunning
had devised the means of removing the
sole surviving witness of the tragedy plan
ned by her, although she took no part in it.


With that conviction rose in the Syrian's
mind all the hatred and all the courage of
which his late thoughts had robbed him.
He would battle this wicked woman vet:
save himself and secure from Ell Warda
xrff hn int of
other the performance of Ter promisel
He turned the rapidly sinking boat back
toward the shore lac bad lett; allowing it
to float downward with the current and
inclining it gradually toward the bank
that he might swim ashore at a point lower
down than he had launched it, and escape
the possible watch of the people of the
princess.


When at last the boat settled down, the
Syrian piunging into the stream and keep
ing his head well above it, struck out for
the shore at poir. where he saw it shelv-
ing down to tie. n ~st=kss- edge. fftnged with
long rushes. Strong as the current was he
breasted it successfully and was reaching
shoal water-wlth heart full of good re-
solves and thankfulness for his preserva-
ton and rebounding from his late despair
- when suddenly he saw to his surprise a
dark object resembling an old log floating
from the muddy bank toward him.


As there was no current from the shore,
this struck him as strange; but his sur-
prise was changed into horror when the
object approached nearer. disclosing to his
gaze, under the bright moonlight, the scaly
back and unshapely bulk of the crocodile,
most dreaded of all the tenants of that
Shiny food. though but rarely seen so low
down the river,


As the monster moved through the wa
ter, with a movement indicating the vast
propulsive power in its short forearms and
muscular tail lashing the river into team
as it forged onward-Daoud could disting-
uish its sharp suout elevated above the
flood, and the small, elittering, serpent
like eyes it fixed on its destined prey.


Each second brought the monster nearer;
while the huge jaws would occasionally
open displaying the sharp double row of
glistening teeth which armed them-then
close again with a snap like the music of
ca,tanets, resounding through the stiffness.


Imminent and deadly was the peril, as
Daoud we'll knew; but he lost not heart
nor hope. His nerves. steeled to danger
in it's most fearful shape during his recent
trials, did not fall him now. But he felt
a deadly sickness of heart, for an instant
at the .lew and hideous form of peril, thus
suddenly confronting him at the very mo-
ment Of his fancied escape from all his dan
ger; Just when he was making his good re-
solves for tranquil future.


Never before had he encountered this
dread monster; but he knew its nature and
its habits well; for he had often heard the
Arabs OF the Upper Nile tell of their en-
counters with, and victories over it; and be
therefore understood which way the path
Of safely lay. #f s4EF


lie allowed the greedy monster to ap-
proach within two lengths of him-simplv
floating himself on the surface of the wa
ter, with wary eye fixed on every move
ment of his adversary. Flight he knew
would be speedy and certain death. He
waited till he could see the very twinkle OF
its hungry eye then dived down into the
flood, his dagger bare in his right handi


The moment after the huge bulk of tine
crocodile seemed convulsed with sudden
pang as it abruptly twisted itself round,
lashing the water into foam with its terrible
tail, and swapping its jaws fiercely togeth-
er, while its snaky eye emitted sparks OF
fire!


Then it sullenly sunk under the water
too, and the calm moonlight shone on the
ripping river, showing no form OF man
nor reptile on its agitated surface. Blu,
the water where the crocodile had sunk was
discolored with dark red stain, which
showed the Syrian's dagger had found q
vulnerable spot. j 81 81 l4f 81


He had dived beneath the scaly armol
which protected it from above, and struck
an upward blow.


Next moment the man rose again to the
surface, twenty yards further down stream
and struck out vigorously for the shore. but
the current seized and tore him down stream
further. And on it foated in pursuit his


wounded, but not disabled enemy --fierceI
and more savage from its injury, and dis


playing now those vast energies bidder


under its cumbrous and mail-clad carcass


Thrice when on the very eve of being


seized and crushed between those mighty
jaws-which vaiply snapped together like


the huge portcullis of some feudal castle
did the Syrian narrowly escape destruc


tion by suddenly diving downi And thrice
did he stab with his keen poinard into tht


unprotected flesh OF his foe, under its fore
arm; while deeper grew the tinee of the
| l. Il