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

thousands who would rather see Buhammei
on the blue throne than a mere STRIPPING
Prince. l can take no chances, not even in
Fee. until surrounded by my own troops.
After that the dissatisfied would be slow to
revolt. 1t must be done!'
Dick peered ut the patriarchal face of the
Grand Vizir, who had stationed himself at
the door of the royal tent, and then back at
the Englishman, who was staring absent
mindedly at the horses within the Enclosure.
The sounds of the battle were receding into
the distance. Now and then there were scat
tered volleys of rifle fire, sounding thin and
faint, betraying tiny tragic collisions. The
murmuring of the camp had changed from
fierce excitement to dull monotone of ex-
ultation, broken now and then by the more
subdued but anguished sounds of suffering
when men were carried into the open space
outside the canvas wall which had been util-
lied for hospital purposes.
Il shall leave you on guard at the tent"
the Kaid said, knowing that no one can
pass while you and the Grand Vizir are there.
] must give orders"
The American turned to the door of the
tent as his friend turned hurriedly away,
and for long time stood more motionless
and grim than the aged Moor at his side, who
had squatted down on the sand and in it
with long, lean finger traced tedious pat
If divining the future of the Empire in his
own behalf.
When the Kaid returned he beckOned to
the Grand Vizir, held whispered conversa-
ton with him, and then a man was sum-
moned from among the Sultans personal
attendants, who guarded the horses. There
was another whispered interview, and then
the man led forth one of the heaviest and
slowest of the Sultan's barbs white Ara
,:Dt,~ L. III Al
overfed. To Dicks establishment the horse
was led into the Sultan's tent. Still patient,
the American stood guard, wondering mean
while what plan the Kaid was about to exc
cute.
MORE than an hour passed. The firing
AVA had entirely ceased and the victorious
horde was returning. Dick gathered from
the sounds of the outer camp that rations
had been issued and the tired troopers were
preparing their meal. Clarke emerged from
the tent and paused beside him with look
of such anxiety and distress that he appeared
anything rather than a successful General
who had just won decisive and overwhelm-
ing engagement.
"Old man." he said, laying his hand on
Dicks arm, I'm deucedly sorry to run you
into mess like this Do you know that 1
am taking you into a game where the
Chances are at least nunQreQ TO one against
our winning out. and also that if we don't
win our lives aren't worth that?''
He snapped his thumb and finger and
looked up into the Americans face. To his
delight, the latter grinned boyishly, held out
his hand, and said:
Excuse me, those are the only games
worth playing. Don't you worry about me.
Think more about yourself. All l ask is to
be in on the play"
The Kaid smiled at him with frank look
of gratitude, and without parting word
hurried to the outlet and disappeared. Dick
resumed his watch over the royal shelter,
walking backward and forward as if doing
sentry duty. and was scarcely aware of the
fact that the Grand Vizir. having completed
his sand divination, had slipped from sight.
He heard whispered conversation inside
the balloon like structure; but was unable
to conceive what was taking place. He pro-
longed his beat to the gate of the canvas wall
and looked out in time to see considerable
body of the Marrakesh men, accompanied by
a battery of artillery. swing off toward the
distant hills amid cheers from those left be-
hind. Plainly the Kaid was aggressively