He Now Gained Upon The Soldier Slightly, But
They Were Not Five Paces Apart When They Disappeared In The High Dhurra.
That Soldier Was Ali Nedjar, Of The "Forty Thieves," The Strongest Man,
The Best Shot, And The Fleetest Runner Of The Force.
Presently I heard a
shot.
Throughout that day occasional shots were heard in every conceivable
quarter. I took a walk through the country, attended by a few of my men,
and upon several occasions I was challenged from a bush, or tump of high
grass, showing that the men were all in position and well concealed.
When the bugle recalled the sharpshooters in the evening, each had some
adventure to recount, and the whole camp rejoiced in the success of the
manoeuvre; it was a case of "the biter bit."
The men now looked forward to this employment, and starting at daybreak,
they took their supply of food for the day.
Some of them were very clever at this kind of service, especially Ali
Nedjar. Ali was a native of Bongo - a broad-shouldered, muscular fellow,
with thighs like a grasshopper. It was a pleasure to see him run, and to
witness the immense power and speed with which he passed all competitors
in the prize races, in which I sometimes indulged my men. Ali Nedjar was
a good soldier, a warm lover of the girls, and a great dancer; thus,
according to African reputation, he was the ne plus ultra of a man.
Added to this, he was a very willing, good fellow, and more courageous
than a lion.
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