Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 187: what you’re looking at

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

terror. A species of blind staggers was attacking the animal ; and so unsteady was his trot that Dorothy was thrown headlong into the sand. Then the beast broke loose, and ran like mad down a slight declivity, bellowing and shaking his head, struggling from side to side until he fell in a heap and lay quivering. Bardoff was in despair. He helped Dorothy to her feet. “ What is to be done now?” she gasped. } “God alone knows,” whispered Bardoff, somewhat cheered to see his comrade revive; then he led her down the declivity to where there was a clump of tall reeds which might suffice for a momentary hiding place. They found the camel stone dead, with the provisions and waterbag crushed beneath him. In Dorothy’s fall from the saddle she had carried the load around, so that the precious kit slipped under him; and when he fell in a heap, the waterbag burst, and the provisions were all but ruined. It took no little courage to get what little remained to them into shape. ' Dorothy bound them on Bardoff’s back. Then he took her hand, and they began to struggle on afoot over the bleak trail. Every little while Bardoff would glance back, but saw nothing. He was busily encouraging Dorothy after this, and did not look back for a long time. When he did finally a most appalling sight was presented to him. Two mounted men were closing down upon them from the westward. ‘They were the pursuers sent by the emir, and were coming on at a frightful pace, their gibbehs flapping in the wind and their heads bent low to avoid the dust. Bardoff seized Dorothy by the hand, and made a quick dash into a low clump of reeds. Here they both fell flat on their faces. If the men had held their heads erect matters might have been very seri- ous for the refugees. As it was, they waited in breathless silence till the pair flew by. Then the prince threw down his kit and unsheathed his sword whis- pering, “ Wait here for me,” and was off like a meteor, throwing aside his gibbeh as he ran. On he sped through the clouds of flying sand, until he was lost to view in a small ravine half a mile distant. Dorothy sank upon the warm sand. She knew what it meant—a Jast fight for life and liberty, anc there were two to one. In the mean time Bardoff awaited his opportunity. As the camels slacked their pace through the ravine he hamstrung the rear camel, so that he came down with a crash, his rider almost beneath him. There was a single clash of weapons, followed by a cry which broke into a long, low moan. Like a panther the prince sprang after the forward camel. The astonished rider turned just in time to see his adversary. Instead of slashing his camel with his burbash, and so gaining time to draw his weapon, the stampeded dervish reined himin. He seized his spear, and hurlea it wide of the mark. A revolver was his next defense, but before he could use it there came a mighty lunge from behind. The fellow threw back his shoulders, uttered a queer scream, and fell forward over the camel's neck, dead> It was a very difficult task for Bardoff to hold the camel and dig a sand grave for two men at the same time. But when all was done, the reluctant beast was headed back against the driving storm. GORGE OOO @ UN ceo