IN PERIL OF LIFE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2668, 17 August 1889, Page 6 (Supplement)

IN PERIL OF LIFE.

A:roT!u:R incident, of his Morocco experiences is related by Mr. Thomson. At Maraksh ono of their followers was attacked by a negro iu tlio crowd :—However great might he our own danger, it win impossible to stand by and see our f;i)mp;ii)ion murdered before our eyes with out doing what we could to save him. It was not a time for thought or calculation, only for action. Involuntarily I rushed to his rcMiuo. Those in front of us fell back. The ne-rro was about to- deal another blow at LSouich when I struck hitn with my fist full in the face. The next moment I was over him, pinning him to t.hn ground by the neck, and, like t'oniuh, forgetting my surroundings, soundly belaboiing liirn with iny hunting crop. It was too much, however, for a Moorish crowd of fanatics to see one of their number thrashed by an infidel. I turned to look up. A club was doscendinjr on my head. I dodged end received tlio blow on rnr left .shoulder, paralysing my arm but saving my life. I let go the negro and stood erect. Letting oat the huge lisli attached to :ny hunting crop, and throwing' all the fury and strength at my command into ono fell stroke, T swept it round tho faces of tho closing crowd. Takun by, surprise, those in front fell back with skinned faces, howls.of pain mingling with their curses. With ampler sweep, I bnco morostruck out with all tlie concentrated force of one who fights for dear life. So vicioiu was the blow that the lash, though thicket' than my finger, broke off at tho fastening. I was now standing clear of the crowd, exposed to a new .and more torriblo danger. In tho midst of the wild pandemonium I was able to detect phrases of sinister import— •' Stone tho dog of a Christian ?" " Kill him?" " Send the Kaffir to Gehenna?" From all sides hundreds of stones come hurtling through tho air. I was aware of blow upon blow, but I felt no pain, not even any sensation of fear. My excitement was too great, the danger of the moment too surprcme. Timo after time a levelling blow on the hcarl seemed in, evifable ; but no ! Marvellons to relate, my skull escaped absolutely untouched, though I was knocked black nnd blue over leg and body. My situation in those few's seconds was intensely crltscal. Our servants had shamefully lied and at any moment I might be knocked senseless. So far I had been too much absorbed in my own position to know what my companions Crich ton-Browne and young Bonieh were about. I now, however, became aware that they wore bravely making a diversion m my favour. Slowly I retreated in that direction still facing the yellow fanatics, still brandishing my hunting crop and happily forgetful of my revolver. A few seconds more and I had rejoined my friends near the cafe. To our relief the door was open. Had it been otherwise our position would have been hopeless, for ou cither side stretched a blank wall with no point of escape. Amid the angry cries of the bailled multitude we bolted inside and shut the door.