The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 3 — page 112: what you’re looking at

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

496 THE RIVER OF DARKNESS. Canaris glided from the dungeon, and the prisoners were alone. ‘They passed the long hours of that day ina strange mixture of hope and fear. The difficulties to be overcome seemed insurmountable. ‘They must escape from the prison, pass through the very midst of their bloodthirsty enemies, scale the wall, and then—where were they? Hundreds of miles from the coast, surrounded by barbarous and savage people, and their only hope that myste- rious underground river which in itself was a thing to be feared. But on the other hand speedy death awaited them in the dungeon of Rao Khan. ‘The chances were truly worth taking. They followed instructions closely. When the guard brought them food at noon, and in the evening, Melton tossed on the floor as though in pain. The thrice welcome darkness came at last, and the light faded out of their dun- geon. Oncea horrible thought entered Guy’s mind. What was to prevent the Greek from making his escape alone, and abandoning the Englishmen to their fate? It was but momentary, however, and then he dismissed the sus- picion with a feeling of shame. He had already learned to trust the Greek implicitly. Crouched by their dungeon door, they listened by the hour, and at last their patience was rewarded. Voices were heard, steps approached and died away, and then all was silent. The time for action had come. Melton threw himself on the straw and moaned. Guy rapped sharply on the door, and waited in suspense. Almost instantly it opened, and the guard, a tall Nubian, pushed his lamp into the doorway, and followed it up with his head and shoulders. ‘“Canaris, Canaris!’’ said Guy earnestly, pointing to Melton, who uttered at that moment a most unearthly groan. The guard drew back and shut the door. His soft tread echoed down the corridor, and all was still. The suspense of the next five minutes Guy will never forget as long as he lives. It seemed to his excited imagination as though an hour had passed by, when suddenly sounds were heard in the corridor, and in an instant more Canaris stood before them, his leather case at his side, a lamp in his hand. He closed the door, opened the case, and drew out two wide linen tunics and two long jackets such as the Emir’s troops wore. ‘“Put these on,’’ he whispered. ‘‘ You can wear your helmets; there are many of them in Harar.’’ As he spoke, he drew an Arab burnouts over his head, shading entirely his light hair and mustache. He next pulled the revolvers and shells from under the straw, distributed them around, and with the knife cut the rope in a dozen parts. By this time Guy and Melton had donned their disguises, and were ready for action. Up to this point Guy had supposed that Canaris had bribed the guards and paved the way out of prison. ‘* You are sure the guards will let us pass?’’ he said. Canaris looked at him in wonder, and then a smile rippled over his face. “Vou thought I had bribed the guards,’ he said. ‘‘ Ten thousand (E(@) mI eboo ESS (E(0)