Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 186: 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. 179 “I am ready for anythmg now,” said Dorothy, whom rest and good food had revived. “ Lead and I shall follow.” “God bless you!” murmured the prince heartily. The day was lowering and dismal, a sirocco blowing southwest into a rising gale. Darkness came early; and when the refugees’ supper was brought by one of the emir’s servants, Bardoff bribed the fellow to obtain enough rations from the commissary department under cover of darkness to last the patr for a week. About midmeght the prince led his precious charge through the sleeping camp. ‘They avoided the guards, and hurried on to the camel ground. Bardoff deposited the fittle kit of provisions under a tree, and teft Dorothy on puard. Then he crept wp and stole a filled water skin from one of the camels, and kicked to fts feet the best looking beast in the herd. Though the camel made the usual protest, and started some of the others: groaning, the rising wind bore the sound away from the sleeping can. At the very last moment, when the feat seemed accompfished, the prince was confronted by a camel boy, who was starmg through the gloom in silence upon this startling capture, too amazed at tts very daring to raise a cry of protest. Bardoff approached him, drew his sword with one hand, and plunged the other imto his precious treasure of English soveretpns. He drew forth two shining coms and gave the astonished fellow hts choice between death and a small fortune. After some tremblimg hesitation, the lad clutched the gold greedly. “ Mind you,” whispered the prince, “not a word—not a sound. Tell them that the camel broke loose—anythmg ‘you wish; but be true to your oath, or by el Muntazar ! “Never fear,” answered the camel driver. He kissed his doubtful bene- factor’s hands, and then -was lost in the darkness, to resume his slumbers with his treasure snugly pocketed over his heart. Soon the campfires of the enemy were far behind them. The rising wind blew up a mighty cloud of sand between the refugees and the emir’s camp, like a wall of safety, as they started forward at a rapid pace. The beast had enjoyed perfect rest, and had been well fed and watered. The high wind was directly behind them, so Bardoff urged the camel ito a striding trot. On over the bleak steppes and the silent plain, through deep ravines, burst- ing out over khors edged with wnderbrush, the Kittle caravan hurried on toward the far haven of safety. ‘ They will be upon us very soon,” said Bardoff, as the day dawned, “ for the emir’s rage will be ‘boundless when he discovers our firght. He will have the pick of camels, and can travel fast. Our only hope ts that our own beast will stand the awful march. We have at least five hours the start.” “It seems a good deal,” said Dorothy. “That remains to be seen,” mused Bardoff none too encourapingly. “Come; let us hurry on.” And he whipped up the camel again. The beast had not trotted a mile further, however, when he began to show signs of great fatigue. Bardoff saw these symptoms, and it filled him with GONG OOO ceo