Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-19
CHAPTER XXI.

CHAPTER XXI.
TT as the Kaid had predicted Secure in the be-
lief that they had the army of the Sultan at their
mercy Buhammeis forces stretched slowly out until
they had thrown themselves into the form of crescent
one of whose points at the ford and the other horn
far out the plain In the swift tropical night the
camp6res leaped into glowing patches of fame and the
shouts OF the mueteers took soft and melancholy
music of their own.
doubled back upon itself for at least mile grim and
sulen. For hours the soft rumble of the
hard roads and the swayng cank of buckle steel
for another day. White, shadowy figures moving in
the dusk that preceded the wandered restessly
like distressed spirits through the night. ghoske and
ment the headquarters tent had again lifted itself above
the sands. and from its peak dropped idly in heavy
stagnant folds the banner of his Majesty Weary men,
fatigued by effort without awaiting the evening meal
threw themselves their catans to rest The groans
of the wounded. varied by the occasional anguished
shrek of some whose soul tearing forth from its
SHE'LL lent sad monotone to the night.
Dick ate his supper alone. 1t was hard and scanty
fare. The kaid was away, restlessly studying the
ground which at sunrise he knew the battle would
be resumed The American stepped out in front of the
tent to the campfire. in whose light Sid Suleyman
stitching up gaping wound on his horses hip. With
crude twtch his orderly was holding the shiverng
pretty good fight, eh. think" the Arab said when
ne saw that the American was back of him. 1--WE lick
Certainly SHALL" Dick assented. but with con-
siderable conviction in his words than belief in his
mind:
"They got away all right did they?"
The Kaid, who had come noiselessly I'D behind
them questioned Sd and the latter swung round and
saluted.
Eyes. your Excellency. Six of the best men have
to make sure
Clarke beckoned Dick to follow him and went into
the tent.
II thought it BEST" he said, as though taking the
American into his confidence equal in command
sent out to have the relief with the machine
guns travel all night if necessary At least of the
despatch bearers will get through. If they get here in
time we are all right. From what can learn, Buham-
mel not believing that renforcements are coming to
US, is making big mistake.
As if utterly exhausted, he threw himself supine on
his cot. Dick divestng himself of the khaki coat he
wore under his Moorish garb stretched himself on his
own cot.
what mistake is he making?" the American asked.
The Kaid raised himself on his elbow and looked
across at him he explained. He is trusting to his
having fully double the number of men have and
making his line too thin. We massed very solidy
throwing his out the plain side covering about
three-eighths of circle"
Going to pen us in, eh?"
Yes. More than that, he hopes get action on the
tribesmen themselves, who he knows will fight without
discipline and then expects in the confusion to chop
the regulars to pieces"
."Strikes good idea," Dick said, unless the
relief comes"
Precisely. l am gambling everything on that and
am letting my men get all the rest they Buham-
meis big mistake is overconidence. He is making
Copyright 1910. by Roy Norton