Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 378: 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. 371 Dorothy clutched the hand of her companion, drawing a deep breath be- fore the wonderful enchantment; and before he could return that pressure, two tongues of flame burst from the very heart of the overlooking crag oppo- site them ; and two crimson balls of fire were projected over the plain, until they exploded like double stars over the dervishes, scattering a shower of deadly scrapnal and plowing a hole in the ranks of the Ansar. Then the pandemonium of battle broke loose. . Two more searchlights stretched thetr funnel shapes over the wilderness and seemed to tangle up the astonished dervishes in their ghostly beams, till all the white plain resembled a tempest whipped sea, wherein a myriad souls were struggling in a mighty turmoil, and swept forward by an irresistible tide. Suddenly Bardoff turned to his dumfounded guard. “Go tell the com- mander, the noble Osman Digna, that I must see him at once. Tell him that I bear precious tidings from far Khartoum——” “Tt is useless now,” said the guard testily. ‘“ Can you not sec that the battle is on? ” “ But I cannot delay longer—I dare not.” With a great show of impa- _ tience the prince thrust his hand into his gibbeh and brought forth a handful of gold pieces. ‘ Go, in the name of Allah and the Mahdi; tell him that I await his call.” The man drew a breath of astonishment, gave the prince’s haggard face a quick glance, clutched the coins greedily and was away. The other guard noted the transaction, and showed signs of rising jealousy. “ And you,” broke in the prince, diving again into his gibbeh, and bring- ing forth another handful of coin, “ go and bring me a drink of water from the wells, that I may be fresh and full of speech when I stand before the com- mander, and Allah be with you! ”’ The guard, who had done many such errands for his captive before, did not think for a moment but that he might do likewise with safety again. He folded his two hands about the coins, buried them in his bosom and started off at full speed. “ Come!” cried Bardoff hoarsely to his comrade. ‘“ Our time is at hand.” ‘What do you mean?” asked Dorothy. | “To the lines—to the English. God alone knows how, but follow me” The prince and his charge were soon swallowed up in the mass of tents. Dorothy reached out and seized her protector’s girdle with the grip of death. ‘We shall have five minutes—perhaps ten—the start of them; and even then their search will be a hard one. Night is deepening. Don’t be afraid, comrade. Take hope!” “TI fear nothing,” came the answer. “ Faster—faster. I can cling to you.” Straight to the rear of the vast encampment they ran for some distance, then made a sweeping northerly detour; the two came out a half mile above the camp of the commander. Then facing the east and freedom, they plunged down into the midst of battle, resolved to reach the English lines or perish in the effort. GON GOO @ YN| CO