The Washington times., 1904-12-04
CHAPTER XVIII.

onward.
Morning came at last with a lowering
dawn. A halt was made and meager
breakfast disposed Of. The prince took
the camel driver and made little de-
tour with the intention OF discovering
points which might indicate the pres
ence OF the wells OF Umboje. Their water
was getting low. and the necessity OF
finding more was now imperative.
DO not give the camel any water this
morning" said the native, and II there
IS any stream within twelve hours jour
ney she viii scent and find H."
On returning 10 Dorothy who was still
sleeping by the used up beast OF burden.
Bardor allowed the suffering girl to
slumber on an hour or so. then woke her
and placed revolver in her hand.
IT shall sleep for a little time now
DO not let il be long, I pray you-but in
the meantime guard us both, for l have
no confidence in our companion. He
would murder me in an instant If he had
the courage and the means" Then he
babe the fellow keep his distance. and
Law down 10 take a. much needed rest.
Before he dropped OF 10 sleep he said;
There IS no longer a fear OF his desert
ing us and running back 10 apprise the
cause Shere are none. to the best of my
belief. and second, the man would GER
tainly perish ia the desert before he
could reach the Nile"
Dorothy sat with the ready weapon in
her hand, and kept her eve on the ma
tive.
When Bardom awolle he arose and
prepared for the flight with double
energy.
We must get out OF this immediate
~, he said with much solicitude. 1T is
a matter of life and death In very mo-
ments now"
But you say We are not pursued.
said Dorothy
Are we not?"
You told me yourself that our enc
mics We're left dead on the field far
back"
'Ah, bless your dear SOUL" murmured
the prince in sorrow. THE enemy is
ever AT our heels. logging our steps,
watching. waiting FOR The first sign Of
collapse; ana then"
''Who are these enemies?" murmured
Dorothy.
starvation. thirst. madness. and
death, said the prince. IF we do not
reach water by noon, God save u.s."
Without a further word Dorothy was
helped into the saddle Then the native
was kicked into waking. and with many
curse he feu behind. Bardof resolved
20 allow the camel 70 go whittier she
chose, for she was suffering visibly
from thirst When she was released she
threw her nose in the air. made one or
two turns, and then started due south.
cts a dangerous country" said the
..raa ..aHu
shall probably encounter some of the
Mahdist bands on their way eastward
70 join Osmaa Digna in his siege Of
Suakim"
The sun was Obscured. but the heat
was unbearable for all that. The show
ers of the night had been sucked up al
most as soon as they had fallen. and il
was not long before Dorothy began
calling for water.
Instead OF the deep and refreshing
draught which she had expected. she
had 10 be content with a rag soaked in
a few drops and laid across her lips,
which were parched and throbbing.
Silence fell upon them. for anxiety
was too deep in both hearts to admit OF
any simulatiOns. or chivalrous efforts
10 deceive the other with a show OF
gayeJy, which seemed almost a sacrilege
al this desperate pass.
Half way toward noon a scouting
party OF dervishes was seen far 10 the
southwark. and the signal being given.
the little caravan went into temporary
retreat Soon the armed scouts passed
below the horizon again. and the difh-
cult march was resumed.
THAT shows that We are nearing the
line OF march from Berber 10 Suakim,'
said Bard0h omiuously. II was IN hopes
that we could keep 20 the north or IT,
II is more difficult. but we could avoid
apprehension in that way"
His companion was about 20 speak
when the native. far ahead. began 20
wave his hands. 4 halt was made with
the usual alarm. but the man seemed 10
be trying 20 express delight instead OF
anxiety. The camel. moreover. increas-
ed, rather than relaxed her pace.
81 believe the beast Is right" said
Bardorf "She sents water"
Thank heavenW from Dorothy.
They passed down what looked 10 be
q blind khor. when with a sudden turn.
they came upon a small pond. which
the camel plunged headlong into until
she stood In water up 20 her shoulders.
Dorothy gave a little scream as she
felt her feet IN the water. fearing that
the animal would. perhaps. have an in
cIination 10 lie down or throw her from
the saddle. Bardoff had rushed In up
10 his hips. but seeing that the camel
was subdued al last. let go the nose
rope aud called out. Don't be alarmed.
She viii come out OF her own accord
iu a moment"
But the words We're scarcely uttered
when the rider gave a shrill scream.
Bardon saw a giant crocodile thrust
hts sn0ut from the water within an
inch OF D0rothy's feet Then seizing
her gibbeh ia his red jaws. he gave her
such "a terrific wrench that the helpless
rider was pulled into the water. Bar
DON unslung his rifle and prepared 20
shoot. al the same time splashing fur
Their into the pond. But he found II
impossible 20 fire upon the crocodile. as
he was In more danger OF killing Dor
othy than Tx beast she was lighting
with frantic fury
And now another formidable adver-
sary stayed him The native guide
leaped into the pool, dashed ahead OF the
prince himself. then. turning abruptly
tripped Bardon So that he fell PROSTATE
losing his hold on his rifle.
Instantly the native was upon him.
bearing him down into the mud and