The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 3 — page 115: what you’re looking at

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

THE RIVER OF DARKNESS. 499 They were in a narrow side street which ran past the Hmir’s palace. The side toward the prison was in deep shadow. On the other side was a long stone building, with two or three narrow grated windows. ‘“That is an Arab storehouse opposite,’ said Canaris. ‘‘ We are safe for the present. Now follow me closely. Walk boldly and fearlessly and Keep a few feet apart.”’ He started off at a rapid gait, his white burnous tossing on his shoulders, and with fast beating hearts Guy and Melton came close behind. In five minutes they turned into another narrow passage running at right angles, and continuing along this for forty or fifty yards, made still another turn. The two streets they had just traversed had been lined for the most part with big warehouses and slave markets. It was in fact the business part of the town, alive with people during the day, deserted at night. But now a crisis was at hand. Canaris halted his little party in the shadow of a build- ing and pointed straight up the street. ‘“ Yonder lies the main avenue,’’ he said. ‘‘ We must cross it to reach our destination. Keep yourselves well under control, don’t show any fear, and if any people are about don’t look at them. If they address you make no reply.’’ Guy marveled at the Greek’s coolness under such terrible circumstances. Every moment was a torture to him as long as they remained in the midst of these bloodthirsty fiends. In five minutes they reached the main street. From the slight ridge on which they stood they could see stretching afar on either hand the moonlit roadway, spectered with the dark shadows of the houses. They had been traveling on three sides of a square. Fifty yards down the street the tower of the Emir’s palace was visible, outlined faintly against the pale gray sky. As they stepped from the shadows upon the open roadway, an Arab stalked from a doorway opposite, and without troubling himself to come nearer addressed Canaris in a strange tongue. Guy’s heart seemed to leap into his throat as he nervously handled the revolver that stuck in his belt. Canaris coolly replied in a low voice. ‘The Arab evinced no intention of coming any nearer, and in an instant more the fugitives had plunged into the gloom of another cross street. 3 On all sides now were rude abodes, some of sandstone, others of clay, and at some places even tents were to be seen. Laughter and loud talking came from open windows. ‘Two or three fierce looking Somali warriors stalked past in dignified silence, and an Arab sheik, wrapped closely in his garment, looked at them curiously as he hurried by. Melton now walked with difficulty. His wound had broken out afresh and was bleeding. The weight of the rifle was too much for him, and he was compelled to abandon it in the road, “A little farther now,’’ said Canaris encouragingly, ‘‘ and we shall be safe.’’ 3 , Melton tried to walk faster, leaning on Guy’s arm, but at last, with a moan of pain, he sank to the ground. COMmicloooks:€