The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 1 — page 93: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A MONTH IN THE MOON. e953 camel! Just like him!’’ murmured Sir Bucephalus, as he hurriedly glanced over the 7zmes. ‘‘ That, no doubt, is the explanation of Mauny’s delay at Khartoum.’’ Meanwhile Virgil had armed the negro guard, and marshaling them in double file, had taken the lead down the road. In twenty minutes his hun- _ dred warriors, agile as panthers, were in the plain beyond the village, and stood in battle array against the newcomers at the range of about two gun- shots from the first huts. The enemy soon appeared. ‘Their caravan con- sisted of one camel, bearing a kind of closed palanquin, with Gertrude and Fatima within; three others followed, on which Norbert, Doctor Briet and Mabrouki, all gagged and chained, had journeyed five days; the rear was brought up by the dwarf of Rhadameh, mounted on a magnificent Arab steed, and followed by his negro guard. At the first glimpse Virgil saw it was his master, and he knew that some misfortune had happened. But his intrepid heart knew no hesitation. ‘“Halt !’’ he cried, stepping out alone twenty paces in advance of the troops. What are your intentions? Why do you keep these gentlemen prisoners, and subject them to this shameful treatment ?’’ Kaddour had ridden up to the head of his troop. Surprised at first by the unexpected resistance, he quickly recovered his audacity on finding that his own guard was three times stronger than the opposing one. ‘“My intention is,’’ he replied arrogantly, ‘‘to take possession of the Peak of Tehbali. Surrender instantly, or be annihilated !’’ ‘“Surrender our arms !’’ exclaimed Virgil. ‘‘ Wretched dwarf, you shall swallow them first !”’ He turned round, and drawing his sword, gave the word of command to his troop. ‘‘ Make ready ! Present! Fire !”’ To the extreme surprise of both, the command was not obeyed on either side. One of the dwarf’s officers left the ranks, and came up to speak to him ; whilst Chaka likewise left his comrades and, approaching Virgil, said, pointing to the negro guard of the dwarf: ‘The sons of the Great Lake war not against each other. Command us what thou wilt, except to.fire upon our brethren.’’ At the same time the dwarf’s officer was saying : ‘“’These men are, like ourselves, the children of the Great Lake countries. Brothers do not fight.’’ Kaddour foamed at the mouth and bit his nails in impotent rage. But he saw that his anger was all in vain, and muttered in a choked voice : “Well, then, file to the left, and let us return whence we came !’’ But Virgil was not going to suffer this. He had been a silent spectator of the scene, and he intended to free his master. ‘“Wait,’’ he cried, rushing at him: ‘‘ There is no reason why we should not fight, though our troops refuse to do so. Come on, and let the conqueror take the prisoners ! ”’ This bold challenge was loudly applauded by the negro guard on both sides. They knew well how to appreciate deeds of valor. Without pausing for a reply, Virgil threw himself upon Kaddour with - (2) =} a 1 NOOLES 3