The Washington times., 1904-12-04

NiiN ue'i fAiieHss 70 resume MS SlumDeFS
with MS treasure snugly pocketed over
his heart.
Soon the campfres OF the enemy were
FAR behind them. The rising wind blew
up mighty cloud OF sand between the
refugees and the emirs camp. ike a
wall OF safety. as they started forward
at rapid pace. The beast had enjoyed
perfect rest. and had been well fed and
watered. The high wind was directly
behind them. so Bardon urged the
camel into a striding trot
on over the bleak steppes and the
silent plain. through deep ravines. burst
ing cut over khors edged with under
brush, the little caravan hurried on
toward the far haven OF safety.
They will be upon US soon,'' said
Bardoff, as the day dawned. for the
emiT's rage will be Doundless when he
discovers our flight. He Will have the
pick of the camels, and can travel fast
Our only hope is that our own beast
Will stand the awful march. We have
at least Eve hours the start"
1T seems a good deal" said Dorothy.
THAT remains TO be seen" unused
Bardoff none too encouragingly. Come:
let US hurry on" And he whipped up
the camel again.
The beast had not trotted a mile fur
Their. however, when he began 10 show
signs of great fatigue. BardofT saw
these symptoms, and 1t filed him with
terror A species of blind staggers was
attacking the animal: and so unsteady
was his trot that Dorothy was thrown
headlOng into the sand. Then the beast
broke loose. and ran like mad down a
slight decliWty, believing and shaking
his head, struggling from side to side,
until he fell in a heap and lay CULVER
ing. BaTdoR was in despair. He helped
Dorothy to her feet. What is 10 be
done now?" she gasped.
God alone knows" whispered Bar
doff somewhat cheered to see his com
rade revive; then he led her down the
declivity to where there was clump
Of tail reeds which might suffice for
momentary hiding place.
They found the camel stone dead,
with the provisions and water bag
crushed beneath him. In DOrothy's fall
from the saddle she had carried the
load around, so that the precious kit
slipped under him; and when he fell in
a heap, the water bag burst, and the
provisions were all but ruined.
II took no little courage TO get what
remained 10 them into shape. Dorothy
bound them on Bardoffs back. Then
he took her hand. and they began 70
struggle on afOOt over the bleak trail.
Every little while Bardof would
glance back but saw nothing. He was
busily encouraging Dorothy after this,
and did not look back for a long zine.
When he did finally a most appah ng
sight was presented TO him. Two
mounted men We're closing down on
them from the westward. They were
the pursuers sent by the emir, and were
coming on at "A frightful pace, their
gibbehs tapping in the wind and their
heads bent low 20 avoid the dust
Bardoff seized Dorothy by the hand
and made a quick dash into low
c!ump of trees. Here they both fell on
their faces.
If the men had held their heads erect
matters might have been very serious
for the refugees. As it was. they wait
ed in breathless silence till the pair
few By Then the prince threw down
hts kit and unsheathed his sword. whis-
perine, wait here for me" and was
of like a meteor. throwing aside his
gibbeh as he ran.
on ne sped through the clouds Of fly
ing sand, until he was lost 10 view in
small ravino half a mile distant.
Dorothy sank upon the warm sand
She know what IL meant-a last fight
for life and liberty and they were two
20 one
In the meantime Bardof awaited his
opportunity As the camels Stacked
their pace through the ravine he ham
strung the rear camel. so that he came
down with a crash. his rider almost be
meath him There was a single clash
OF weapons, followed by a cry which
broke into q long. low moan.
Like a panther the prince sprang
after the forward camel. The astonish-
ed rider turned just In time TO see his
ADVERSARY. Instead OF slashing his
camel with his burbash, and so gaining
time 10 draw his weapon, the stampeded
dervish refined him in. He seized his
spear. and hurled il wide OF the mark.
A revolver was hts next defense. but
before he could use 1t there came
mighty lunge from behind. The fellow
threw back his shoulders, uttered
queer scream. and fell forward over the
eamel's neck. dead.
IL was a very difficult task for Bar
don to hold the camel and dig a sand
grave for two men at the same time.
But when all was done. the reluctant
beast was headed back against the
driving storm.
Half way TO the point OF refuge the
prince met Dorothy. who had been made
nearly insane by the suspense and ter
rors of the rising simeon. She almost
fell into his arms. and sobbed hysteri-
callv: II thought you were dead.
should have gone mad II I had been
compelled 10 stay there alone another
moment. The uncertainty was terrible.
Tel. me what has happened? There is
blood"
.eNever mindi" cried Bardoff, taking
the mack which was crushing her TO
Garth. I'VE are not done for yet. There
is stiU hope that we may escape.
have lust accomplished a grand coup.
and he told her what had happened.
In a few minutes the camel was load
ed with their own provisions and such
of the dervishes' as they might have
use for: and then they hurried on before
the increasing sand storm. resolving 10
keep up the run as far as possible before
seeking shelter.
Suddenly Bardof gave a low whistle
of surprise as he slowed up somewhat
and began TO Inspect some fresh camel
tracks i'm the trail. which We're now
blown over lightly by the sand drifts.
1T is as / suspected" he said. I'VE