Frank Gee Patchin

“ As the lads drew near they saw two of the men strip the handkerchiefs from their necks, quickly twisting the cloths about the necks of the women. The cries of the latter were stilled almost instantly.
"Break away, you villains!" roared Dan Davis.
"Yes; chase yourselves or you'll get your faces slapped," added Sam. "Vamoose! Allez vous—scat!"
"We're coming, ladies! Charge them, Sam! They're thugs! Look out for yourself!"
"I've got one of them!" yelled Sam Hickey triumphantly. ”

“ At Gizeh station, some seven miles from the city, all the passengers were hustled out for a change of cars.
"Do we walk?" came a chorus of demands. "How far is it?"
"No; we take ship from here," answered Davis, with a quizzical smile.
"A ship?" demanded Hickey incredulously.
"Yes."
"Pooh! You're joking. This is a desert, not a sea."
"You will see."
"Pipe down punning. It's too hot to laugh," commanded a voice.
Dan, with the boatswain's mate, had arranged a surprise for their shipmates, a new experience for every man of the party. ”

“ There was a rush of those of the gun crew who were on the deck with Dan. They well knew that something was wrong at their station. For all they knew they might have been called to work the gun; still such a call was hardly to be looked for during the mess hour.
Reaching the seven-inch turret, they found the place flooded with salt water. With every lurch of the ship a great column was forced in, as if through a gigantic hose. The first charge of this caught Sam Hickey, sweeping him clear out into the corridor. ”

“ The twister recoiled after sending tons of water over the ship—recoiled as if to gather strength for a final crushing blow. The quartermaster, who had been holding the steering wheel, had been wrenched from the wheel and hurled down a flight of steps to the spar deck. Not an officer on the bridge was on his feet.
Dan Davis, who had crept up the companionway to get a better view of the waterspout, was huddled against the cage mast, clinging to one of its supports.
All at once he discovered that no one was at the wheel. Without waiting for an order, he leaped forward. ”

“ The captain paused to give his words force.
"Aye, aye, sir."
Dan's eyes were sparkling, strive as he might to appear as if it were nothing unusual to be sent ashore at the head of a patrol.
"Twelve delinquents are ashore, having overstayed their leave. Bring in all you can find, reporting to the American consul as to those whom you fail to round up. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir."
"You will use no unnecessary force, but simply bring in the men. You will remember that you are clothed with no little power. Exercise it discreetly. I know that I can depend on you. That will be all. ”

“ Dan was on his feet in a twinkling. The door leading into the hallway stood open. Freedom was at hand, but the boy was not yet ready to take advantage of the opportunity offered him.
With a bound he threw his whole weight against the pile of packing cases.
For one giddy moment the cases trembled, then fell inward toward the men on the floor. Those above emitted a yell. Down they went, howling and shouting, their companions not having had time to get out of the way, being caught under the falling boxes and buried beneath them. ”

“ That afternoon the Battleship Boys got leave to go ashore. Their good conduct always earned a quick shore leave for them when many others were denied it.
The quaint old semi-Moorish town at the base of the great mountain appealed to the lads and impressed them deeply. Red-coated British soldiers were everywhere about, wearing their jaunty caps tilted to one side, carrying their swagger-sticks airily, and now and then deigning a glance at the Battleship Boys.
"Do you know what those fellows remind me of?" questioned Hickey.
"Not being able to read your mind, I cannot say," answered Dan. ”

“ All at once there was a yell. Some tumbled over backwards in their chairs, while others sprang up and scrambled out of harm's way, as a huge object came hurling through the air. It landed full force on the mess table, the table going down beneath it with a mighty crash.
The dark object was the ward-room's upright piano. The captain, hearing the crash, rushed in from his quarters adjoining.
"What's wrong?" he shouted.
"Nothing, captain. There's music in the air, that's all," answered the ship's surgeon. This put all hands in good humor, even though a quantity of china had been utterly ruined. ”

“ For a few minutes there was silence.
"This is a nice mess—a fine mix-up!"
"Yes," agreed Dan Davis. "I fear we have gotten ourselves into a lot of trouble. We have assaulted the Paris police. I wonder what the captain of the 'Long Island' will say when he hears of it?"
"If it's left for us to tell him it will be a long, long time before he hears anything about it."
"Don't be foolish. We will tell the police the truth and they will have to let us go; but the question is, when are we going to be allowed to tell the truth? It doesn't look as if we were even going to be questioned to-night." ”

“ Suddenly Kuhn was jerked violently from his grasp. Dan made a spring, recovering his prisoner.
All at once the Englishman uttered a series of short, sharp exclamations in French. Like magic, nearly every man in the room was on his feet. They appeared to understand perfectly what was wanted of them, and with one accord made a rush for Seaman Davis.
"Stand back!" roared the young officer, boldly facing the mob. "You will have to answer to your government if you dare lay hands on me." ”

“ Several camel owners were squatting in front of their animals stuffing little balls of grass down the throats of the beasts, while the latter chewed lazily.
"Where's the ships?" demanded Hickey, looking about him expectantly.
"There they are," answered Dan, with glowing face. "That is the surprise we have in store for you."
"What, camels?"
"Yes. Otherwise known as 'ships of the desert.'"
"Are—are we to ride those things?'
"If you wish. All of those who prefer may go the rest of the way by train. It is a short journey, but we thought you would like it."
"Like it? No train for us! ”

“ Dan did not answer. He was too amazed and upset to talk just then.
"So no one can touch you without your knowing it!" jeered Hickey. "You are an easy mark. I am not in the same class with you. Hold me up while I laugh."
"Don't laugh, Sam; this is serious."
"Of course it is. I wouldn't laugh at it if it weren't. Most of the funny things aren't worth laughing at. The serious things are, most always." ”

“ All at once the hoist came down with a bang, spilling Hickey full length on the floor of the corridor. The guard made a grab for the newcomer, and, at the same instant, Sam Hickey wrapped both arms about the legs of the marine who was on guard duty.
That worthy went down on top of Sam. For a minute there was a lively tussle, but ere it had come to an end, the ammunition hoist shot down again and Dan Davis leaped out into the passageway. He gazed in astonishment at the two men on the floor.
"Get up, Sam! What in the world are you trying to do?" ”

“ His name was Kuhn. He was in deep conversation with a man better dressed than most of the others. The older man appeared to be seeking to convince the sailor of something that he was telling him.
Dan edged over near them and listened. Perhaps he suspected what was going on, for Dan Davis was a shrewd lad, and he was learning many things about the life of the sailor and the snares that are set for him.
A moment's listening convinced him that he was right. The well-dressed stranger was trying to induce Kuhn to desert and join a ship bound for China. ”

“ Arrangements have been made for you to visit Cairo and the Pyramids. I shall hope to see you all report on time and happy. That will be all, men. The steamers are waiting to convey you to the landing."
The men, regardless of discipline, gave three cheers for Captain Farnham.
Then they piled over the side of the ship with shouts and laughter, no effort being made to check their merriment.
"It pays to be good," howled Hickey from the bow of the steamer to those still aboard. "If you're good you can go visit your friends, the mummies. ”

“ The waiter who attended their table was unable to speak a word of English, nor could either lad make his wants known, but the waiter quickly brought an employé to whom the boys stated their wishes.
"Four dishes of ice cream, and in a hurry," commanded Sam Hickey. "What are those things in the basket there?"
"I do not know," answered Dan. "They are some kind of cake. I see them on each of the tables."
"I'm going to help myself. They don't look very nourishing for a good, healthy appetite like mine, but they are better than nothing at all." ”

“ Every man of them was soaked with salt water.
In the galley kettles were sliding across the range, and from there out on to the deck. Food was everywhere, except where it should have been.
Suddenly the jackies on the seven-inch gun deck set up a yell of delight. A steward descending a ladder carrying a kettle of hot beans suddenly lost his hold.
With a howl, he plunged headlong. Sam Hickey chanced to be right in the path of the human projectile. The kettle of boiling hot beans turned turtle just as it was hovering over the red-headed boy's head. Down came kettle, beans and all over Sam's head. ”

“ We do not seem able to keep out of trouble when we go ashore alone. Do we, now?"
"I guess that isn't a joke, after all," answered Sam, while an appreciative grin overspread his face.
On the following morning the battleship moved slowly into the canal.
The ship's chaplain was shading his eyes, gazing off to the left, when the boys came and leaned over the rail near him.
"Lads, do you know what lies beyond, almost within sight?"
"No, sir."
"It is the Holy Land. Palestine, Damascus, Jerusalem, all are within easy reach even of the guns of this ship." ”

“ Once more the boys started off down the street, singing and shouting. Hickey's mount was now as meek as a spring lamb, but the other men kept a good distance away from the red-headed boy, not knowing at what minute the donkey might have another fit.
At last the donkey riders began to tire of their sport. Just then the watchmen in the towers began to cry out the hour of midnight.
"Eight bells," sang out Dan Davis.
"All lights are burning brightly," mocked another.
"Yes, but they will all be out soon," answered Dan. "Time to pipe up hammocks."
"Oh, not yet," protested Sam. ”

“ Waterspout!" howled Hickey.
"Where away?"
"It ain't away at all."
"Where away? Answer, you lubber!"
"Right off the starboard bow, sir. Look out, she's going to hit us! Lo-o-o-o-k out! Ye-ow!"
"Hard aport!" shouted the captain. "Hold fast on the bridge! Look alive, men aft, there! Waterspout coming aboard. Every man look out for himself!"
All tried to do so, but not all were quick enough to get under cover. Only a few of them succeeded.
With a terrifying roar the waterspout swept down on the ship. It towered above them like a huge mountain, bearing to the northeast. ”

“ CHAPTER XX CALLING ON THE MUMMIES
For a full mile they made the red-headed boy run. Then, at Dan's command, a camel was made to kneel, and the perspiring coxswain was permitted to climb the animal's hump.
"That—that was a mean trick," growled Sam. "I'll even up with you for that, Dan Davis!"
Dan laughed happily.
"You needed the exercise. It will put you in good shape for climbing the Pyramids."
A few minutes more of riding brought them to the feet of these awe-inspiring monuments, and with the aid of their guides the jackies scrambled up the sides of the Great Pyramid. ”

“ The sailors joked the conductor good-naturedly, but it is doubtful if he understood a word of what they were saying.
"He's got more on his mind than the captain of a battleship," laughed Dan.
"More than the admiral of the fleet, you mean," shouted a jackie. "I wouldn't have his job for the whole railroad itself. They say they chop a conductor's head off every time a train is late in this country."
"I know of some roads in America to which they ought to apply that practice."
"So do I," agreed Sam Hickey. "This reminds me of the milk train on the peanut road out at Piedmont. ”

“ I hold myself wholly responsible for these young men."
"Monsieurs, a thousand pardons," said the prefect, turning to the Battleship Boys with a profound bow. "You are at liberty to go where and when you please."
"Come, lads; I take it you have no desire to remain here longer?"
"I should say not," spoke up the red-headed Sam.
Dan saluted the prefect, but Sam hardly more than glared at the police head as the boys left the office in company with the ambassador.
"Well, lads, what do you propose to do now?" questioned Mr. Hamlin, when they had reached the street. ”

“ It sounded as if the gun were right beside them.
"We are a pair of landlubbers," announced Dan Davis, with a sheepish grin.
"I thought it was right here."
"So did I, for a minute," answered Dan. "Sound travels up fast and strong, you know. There is the signal tower. We shall be up there pretty soon. Look out for a row when we get there, Sam."
"I'm ready for any old kind of a row. I'm having the time of my life this morning."
Looking up with shaded eyes, they saw the lookouts examining their basket with their glasses.
"They have spotted us," said Dan. ”

“ The steward himself settled the question of his disposal, by scrambling up the companionway as fast as he could go. He knew the jackies well enough to be aware that they would like nothing better than having some sport with the "sea cook," as they call every man connected with the kitchen department.
"Hello, Sam, what's the matter?" questioned Dan Davis, as he shot across the deck head first, having lost his grip on the frame of the water-tight door where he had been standing for a moment. ”

“ The lads made their way along through corridor after corridor. They could see nothing save now and then when they lighted a match.
"Hark!"
Dan gripped his companion's arm sharply.
"I heard something again."
Their voices had dropped to whispers.
"It might have been some animal, and we have nothing to defend ourselves with," said Dan Davis.
"We have our knives," answered Sam.
"Yes; we'll use them if we meet any four-footed enemies. Strike another match, please."
Sam did so at once. Instantly something happened. As the match flared up, blinding them for the moment, Sam leaped into the air. ”