Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-05
CHAPTER XVII.


that his own men of Company NJ could have
broken camp with no more celerity. The
echoes of the bugler's mount had not died
away before the squadron was ready to
move. 1t trotted out into the trail, Dick
specializing as to which direction it would
take, and then, somewhat to his surprise, it
turned northWard toward Mekinez, follow
ing the banks of the stream.
The Kaid seemed disinclined to converse
ton, and Dick, glancing at him now and
then, decided that his plans had been formed.
Throughout the entire forenoon scarcely
dozen sentences were interchanged between
them Once he called Sidi Suleyrnan to his
side, and the American, fearing that he
would intrude, dropped back and rode in the
rear for a considerable distance As he did
so, he noticed new and peculiar friendliness
manifested by the bronzed riders who passed
him. Moving slowly at the side of the road,
he saw with some amazenent that each
trooper, in passing, gave him the salute, and
was at a loss to understand this change of
attitude until it was explained to him by
rear.
docs his Excellency speak Arabic?" the
officer questioned with smile.
OOlIle Vi II, dllu
His Excellency is Kaid in his own coun-
try"
"Who told you that?"
Gel Captain Sidi Suleyrnan, who also
says his Excelency is very brave man like
Kaid Clarke"
Dick was endeavoring to formulate sem
fences of disavowal, when Sidi galloped back,
beckoned another man from the detach-
ment, apparently gave him some instruc-
tons, and then fell into his own place in the
troop. Evidently another courier had been
despatched; for the man rode rapidly ahead
of the horsemen and disappeared in the
winding billy trail.
A T noon they made the customary halt;
but this time there was no cooling shade
to protect them from the sun. Dick was
again surprised when he saw that they were
pitching the tents on a lone hill by the bank
of the stream, as if planning a somewhat ex-
tensive stay. Why they should decide to
stop almost in the edge of far flung plain
was beyond his imagination. Knowing the
Englishman so well, however, he held his
tongue, confident that sooner or later the
Kaid would explain. He did so after they
had concluded their luncheon.
How does this strike you as a battle
feld?" he asked.
Dick looked at him inquiringly.
do you remember the maps of last
night? Well, have it reasoned out this
way. If Teleya was the most central meet
ing place for the sheiks, it is the natural
heart of the rebellion. Buhammeis adj
vance, as far as his plans can be made, will
be on identically the same lines as those of
civilized warfare. That being the case, his
followers will concentrate on Teleya, and
then take this route toward Fee or Mel<inez,
which from here are equally distant. AS l
explained to you last night, this is the most
logical point of concentration for my men.
By tomorrow night can have enough men
here to meet any force that believe it pos
sible for Buhamrnei to bring against us. If
he does not concentrate with rapidity
equal to 1nine have troops enough to adj
vance on Teleya and prevent any concen-
tration on his part. Unless he is more
adroit leader than any they have ever had,
so much that his forces have been organized
without Our knowing, l can put down this
uprising in two weeks hard work. If his
men are assembling, this is the place where
we must whip them
HIS followers were browsing in the shade
II of their tents that afternoon when an
other courier rode madly into camp on a
horse that was almost ready to fall from ex-