Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-01

sole difficulty that renamed was to decide
whether they should march when the first
streaks of light showed in the sky, or await the
hour fixed for the interview with Alieri. They
resolved to leave Hussain and few trust
worthy men at the oasis, with instructions to
remain there till eight o'clock. If Alfieri kept
ten by Irene, which asked him to follow and
join the expedition. Otherwise, they were to
ride after the caravan at top speed, and report
his non arrival.
60 Dick and Irene missed that agreeable
~ watch under the stars, and their thoughts
instead of being given to each other, were
centered on the unlucky fortune hunters
whom accident or design had separated from
them.
Yet when the rose over the desert it
was exhilarating enough to find themselves
riding side by side once more. The order OF
march was simple but we'll designed. Abdur
Kad'r. in command of several Arabs on Bis
harm camels, provided mounted screen half
a mile in front. Fenshawe, Royson, and Irene,
with some of the sailors, formed the advance
guard. Then came the kafila proper, with the
remainder of the Aphrodite's crew, under
Stumps charge, as rear guard. They had
halted for breakfast, and were preparing for
another long march before the heat OF the sun
enforced a rest when Hussain overlook them.
At eight o'clock Alfieri had not visited the
rendezvous, nor was he to be seen an hour
later from the summit of the last hill which
gave a view of the oasis
Ill news is little the better because it is ex-
pected, and everyone wished to push on as
quickly as possible. But the desert was in
exorable in its limitations. Great speed means
great exhaustion, and consequently greater
demand for water. Nevertheless, they risked
the chance of dry spell at the journeys end
and finally, despite Irene's protests against
being left behind. Royson and Abdullah, with
six of the Aphrodites men, and Abdur kad'r,
at the head of thirty picked Arabs, went on at
a spanking pace. They counted on reaching
the ancient camping ground about half-past
five Abdullah was the first to discover
recent signs of large kafila having passed
warning hand when they emerged from a
wide valley and crossed a plateau which,
roughly speaking, three miles from the
welt
They halted and strained eyes and ears.
They could see nothing owing to few scat
distinctly the irregular thuds of distant rifle
firing. That was enough. Careless of the
rough going, or the condition of their camels
at the close, they raced ahead madly. There
was no question now of the odds they might
have to face.
maintained? That was the question that tor
tured Dick. Many times during that wild
ride he asked it, and the only answer he re-
ceived was given by despair. 1t came to
him through spume of dust and flying sand,
and the rattle of accoutrementS, and the
plants of frenzied camels, and the yells and
curses of the strangely assorted company OF
deliverers, as they plunged across the desert
toward the Well of the Seven Hills. And its
discordant shrek was, " Too late! Too late!
The gods have frowned on the pillagers of
Shaba, and the wrath of the gods is ever
lastingi"
To be concluded next Sunday