were cut up. As the Arab slaves — who of course felt the famine first — were beginning to die of hunger, Rumaliza made a tremendous attack on Dhanis' position, which he nearly succeeded in turning. At one time he actually succeeded in occupying a portion of the camp, and here our brave Ponthier was killed. Captain Doorme, whose part of the camp it was, had been surrounded, whereupon Ponthier, seeing his position from a distance, with his pipe in his mouth and not even a revolver in his hand, called on a dozen men who were standing near to follow him.

The enemy tried to take him alive, but, fearing they would fail, shot him. He lingered for three or four days, and was buried under his tent, which was left standing, food being carried in regularly, and a confidential guard placed over the tent.