"Captain Masson and Colonel Flatters had left the convoy to look for the well," said Morhange, laughing.
"It was then that the Tuareg attacked them," I finished, laughing as hard as I could.
"A Targa of Ahagga seized the bridle of Captain Masson's horse," said Morhange.
"Ceghéir-ben-Cheikh had hold of Colonel Flatters' bridle," put in Eg-Anteouen.
"The Colonel puts his foot in the stirrup and receives a cut from Ceghéir-ben-Cheikh's saber," I said.
"Captain Masson draws his revolver and fires on Ceghéir-ben-Cheikh, shooting off three fingers of his left hand," said Morhange.
"But," finished Eg-Anteouen imperturbably, "but
Ceghéir-ben-Cheikh, with one blow of his saber, splits Captain Masson's skull."..
He gave a silent, satisfied laugh as he spoke. The dying flame lit up his face. We saw the gleaming black stem of his pipe. He held it in his left hand. One finger, no, two fingers only on that hand. Hello! I had not noticed that before.
Morhange also noticed it, for he finished with a loud laugh.