The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-11-27
CHAPTER XIV.
Followed.

Not d sound. not a murmur was
heard as Bardon helped his precious
charge into the camers saddle, be
tween the huge bundles of stores for
the perilous journey Then he turned
and pressed his lips with his finger
tips He took the rope bound 10 the
nose ring of the beast. and the little
caravan started.
The night Was cool. ana the wind was
still Though the way led along the
edge Of the higher ridge, Dorothy kept
( her eyes on the alert, ready 20 any
thing suspicious.
After the rest she had enjoyed at the
monastery, she felt equal 10 any
task; and Though she vaguely knew
that there would be many perils in
the 300 miles between her and the Red
Sea. the breath OF free air seemed
good
The prince stumbled on over the hard
places. and when a favorable stretch
of country lay before them he urged
4 The camel into a trot and ran along
beside her till poor Dorothy cried for
mercy.
Heaven Knows she said. the
/ beasts walking is raclIing enough. but
I her run is something unbearable. /
! feel as If every joint IN my body had
been loosened. and every rib tangled
Iup. L hope We won't be compelled 70
make speed often
We shall, / fear-very often re-
piled the prince, in a soft whisper. You
must get used 10 H. You have little
/ idea of what we have before US
/ The calm reproof was not altogether
reassuring, and Dorothy's courage
/ -r..-.-
| the Southern Cross rose out OF the cav
ernOus depths of the heavens-that glo-
rious constellation Of the tropic night
and il seemed like a promise OF peace
I and protection.
! After an hour Of journeying over the
camel grass and the smooth, pebbly
plain skirting the ridge. the khor mar
rowed visibIy. swerving 10 the north
so that il was necessary 10 leave il
and strike out through q more difficult
/ country.
! Here and there were seen clumps Of
/ mimosa and desert sage. and they We're
/ carefully scanned by the wide-eyed refu-
/ gee walking beside the striding camel.
/ while his hand was ready TO unsling
/ his repeater with the nrst sign Of dan
/ ger. Then passing on, a sigh OF relief
/ would plainly indicate that the suspense
wal over; and on would bump the beast
al - faster pace uu another point of
peril was approached, when the same
furtive and guarded advance would be
repeated.
once Dorothy leaned over the pun
mel OF her saddle and whispered some
thing which brought the little caravan
10 "a halt. She pointed her nnger In
silence 10 moving. stealthy shape
I creeping from a clump of dOhn reeds
toward the rocky ledge.
/ Bardon raised his rifle. not knowing
bat that the strangely gliding monster
would suddenly rise up on two legs
and assume the threatening proportions
of a Bishiren rObber or dervish scout
in which case IL was wei 20 be- pre-
pared.
But when a low, threatening gr0wi
was heard Bardoff brea ,hed easier as he
said: only tigress out on the forage. "
and slung his rifle back. resumirs the
march,
only a tigress"' echoed Dorothy. Civ
ing that clump or dohn reeds a back
ward glance and "A shudder. II seemed
| 20 her that a beast OF The desert out on
| a forage would not scTuple 10 take hu-
man flesh, perhaps even by preference
wEen hunger compelled.
Many times before the break of day
they encountered wild beasts Of the
wilderness; but never once were they
attacked. nor did the prince risk a shot
that might bring down upon them some
OF the predatory hordes which infest the
wild wastes.
You see We are far from the beaten
trail" he said during one Of their pauses