The Argosy, Vol. XXIV No. 2 — page 97: what you’re looking at

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

THE RIVER OF DARKNESS, 289 From below came a rush of footsteps and the sound of smashing furniture as the Arabs hurried to and fro in search of their prey. ‘“We are sale for the present,’’ said the colonel ; ‘‘ they can’t possibly reach us, and they may not even discover where we are.’’ The roof comprised the whole extent of the building, and was probably thirty feet square. It was surrounded by a stone parapet three feet in height, and from this parapet the little band of fugitives witnessed a scene that none forgot to his dying day. North and west of the residency the town seemed to be in comparative quiet and darkness, for only stray lights were to be seen at intervals. But off to the south lay the fortifications, and here a sharp conflict was waging. Through the darkness of the night the flash of every shot was seen, and all along the line blazed out three continuous sheets of flame as the be- leaguered garrison poured their fire into the attacking parties that advanced from both sides. | : ‘‘ They can’t hold out an hour,’’ said Melton. ‘‘ The foe are too strong for them.’’ A sharp cry from Captain Waller turned all eyes on the harbor, where the water was illumined by twinkling lights and the flash of rifles. ‘The meaning of this was plain. ‘The steamer had been attacked. No doubt those innocent looking dhows had been filled with armed Arabs, waiting for the signal, and now every escape was cut off. The firing was sharp and severe fora while, and then it gave way to loud cheers. The steamers had fallen into the hands of the enemy. ‘‘ There goes the last hope,’’ said the colonel; ‘‘and look, even the gar- rison has succumbed.’’ It was true. ‘The firing had almost entirely ceased, sad the few stray shots that still rang out were drowned in the vast roar that rose from all parts of the town. The residency was cordoned by a surging mass of wretches, intoxicated with triumph, and fresh hordes came pouring in, riotous from the slaughter of the garrison. ‘Some cunning fiend has planned all this,’’ muttered Colonel Carrington, “and planned it infernally well, too.’’ ‘The Arab, Makar Makalo, is the ringleader, sir,’’ said Melton, ‘‘ but he is only acting for Rao Khan, the Emir of Harar, who has long desired the port of Zaila.’’ ‘‘ A swift retribution will come,’’ replied the colonel, “ but it will come too late to aid us.’’ No person seemed inclined to talk. Sir Arthur sat up against the parapet ina sort of stupor, and the three Hindoos were grouped on one side, and Momba mutely followed his master from point to point, as with Guy and the colonel he made the circuit of the housetop. And now for the first time it became evident that the presence of the fugi- tives on the roof was known. ‘Thousands of Arabs and Somalis surrounded the building, their dark faces plainly seen in the glare from the torches, but no hostile demonstration was made. ‘They appeared to be waiting on some- (G) COMmMicooolks |