Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 185: what you’re looking at

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

A FAIR SLAVE TO THE MAHDI* BY CHARLES EDWARD BARNS. A tale of strange happenings in the Soudan—The “angel of light” who came in mysterious fashion to the Mahdi’s camp at Khastoum, and the thrilling adventures that befell her in the strife for freedom. SYNOPSIS OF CHAPTERS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED, Tom STANSLAUS, a rich young New Yorker, has put his yacht, the Ariel, at the service of a ecientifie expedition, whose idea is to land in Afriea and penetrate by balloon into the unknown Dar Bunda region. A few days out from New Yark a stowaway is discovered on board who proves ta be Stanslaus’ sister, Dorothy. The exploring expedition reaches the head waters of the Aruwimf and the baltoon fs launched, Dorothy Stansleus becomes entangled iu the ropes and in the ascension is carried up with the balloon. A landing is pade in arder that Dorothy may be restored to her brother. The four scientists are killed by the natives in the undertaking, and the girl is left in the anchored balloon which is in turn attacked by the savages. Dorothy escapes from the savages in the halloon, which lands her in the country of the falae prophet, El Mahdi, who makea her his favorite slave. Amoug the prisoners captured by the Mahdi at the fall of Khartoum is the Russian consul, Prince Andrea Bardoff. He communicates with Dorothy Stanslaus and plots to free her from her bondage, His disguise is pevetrated, however, and he ia sentenced to be executed. Rardoff bribes his way to freedam. Dorothy is about to be made a wife of the Mahdi whea a Greek slave girl rescues her by poisoning the false prophet. This enables the American to escape through the underground passage to the mosque square where she meets the prince. After keeping in hiding for some days, they capture the yacht Alldeen by a ruse and run the gauntlet of the dervish river batteries and gunboats until the boat is wrecked in the cataracts. After various adventures Bardoff manages to procure a camel with a native for guide, and they fhake some further progress northwards. But presently they realize that pursuers are-on their track and that the native guide is only awaiting a chance to make off with theirs gold. The former are eluded, however, and the treacherous native falls a victim to the jaws of a crocodile. The fugitives pled on and after eight days of torturing heat sight the mountains. Then they blunder inte a dervish camp at midnight. Bardoff tells a tale about being bound on a mission ta Suakim with a message to Osman Digna, whereupon the emir sends to Berber to obtain confirmation of his statement and holds the two captive meanwhile. ™ CHAPTER XXX .—THE FLIGHT ONWARD. Att that day, though well fed and comfortably sheltered from the burning sun, the refugees were detained at the decree of the emir. Along toward night the prince began to get restive under the chafing bonds. ‘“ Comrade,” he said, “ we must get out of this tonight, even if we are com- pelled to go on foot across this mighty stretch of wilderness to the sea. To remain here another day means that messengers may arrive from Berber, and all will be lost. It is plain that the emir does not intend to stir from here till such tidings overtake him. .What say you?” *Thts story began in the June issue of THE ARGOSY. The six back numbers will be matled faany address on receipt of 60 cents. GONG OOO