Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-20

van was passing she screamed. instantly
Mahomed clapped his hand roughly over
her mouth. The sheik OF the passing
caravan looked keenly at the tent. smiled
grimly and passed on. What was 1t to
him that white woman lay In yonder
tent? His one emotion was OF envy
After this the prisoners became apathetic.
Upon the seventh day they witnessed
the deserts terrifying anger The air
that had been cool, suddenly grew still
and hot; the blue above began to fade, TO
| assume a dusty. copperish color. me
camels grew restless. Quickly there rose
out Of the horizon saffron clouds. ap-
preaching with incredible swiftness. Lit
tie whirlwinds Of sand appeared here and
there, rose and died as il for want OF air.
Mahomed veered the caravan toward a
kind Of bluff composed of sand and pre-
cipitous powders. All the camels were
made to kneel. The boys muffied up
their mouths and noses, and Mahomed
gave instructions to his captives. For
tied down beside her camel. while George
and kyanne used their handkerchiefs.
George left his camel and sought For
tunes side. found her hand and held 1T
tightly. He scarcely gave thought to
what he did. He vaguely meant to en-
courage her. and possibly he did.
The storm broke. The sun became OBJ
scured. Pebbles and splinters OF rock
sang through the pail or wh1rltng SAND
A golden tone enveloped the little gather
ing.
Had there been no natural protection
they must have ridden on. biindly and
desperately for to have remained still In
the open would have been to await their
tombs. II spent its fury in half an hour
and the clearing air became cold again.
The caravan proceeded. The hair OF
every one was dimly yellow, their faces
and their garments.
found the captives untalkative. The girl
and the two men sat modify about the
fire. Fatigue had dulled their bodies
and hopelessness their minds. The men
| beard covered their faces. gaunt yet
burned George had lost his remaining
pump, and as his stockings were now full
Of holes, he had. in the last flicker OF per-
sonal pride. wound about them some
not enough water for additions; there
was scarcely enough to assuage thirst.
BY and by. Ryanne, without turning his
head. spoke to George. you say you
questioned the courier?"
Yes"
He says he showed the note to no
! one?"
| Yes"
And SO no one will try to find us'"
| Ryanne had asked these questions a
dozen times and George had always given
| the same answers.
Up and away at dawn. for they must
reach the Well Indt ulSuS. II was q Ter
/ rible day for them all. Even the beasts
| showed signs Of distress. And the worst
| of it was. Mahomed was not quite sure
| of his route. Fortunately, they found the
| well. They drank like mad people.
| Ryanne, who had discovered pack OF
cards In his pocket. played patience upon
a spot smoothed level with his hand. He
| became absorbed In the game, and the
boys gathered round him curiously.
| Whenever he succeeded In turning out
| the fifty-two cards he would smile and
rub his hands together. The boys at
length considered him unbalanced mental
| ~, and In consequence, looked upon him
as a near-holy man.
| Between Fortune and George converse
ton dwindled down to q query and an an
/ swer.
| Can do anything for your
| mo, thanks; am getting along nicely"
| Tonight she retired early and George
| joined Ryanne's audience.
| 'It averages about nine cards to the
play" he commented.
| Ryanne turned over an ace. Ten or
| fifteen minutes went by. In the several
attempts he had failed to score the full
complement.
| George laughed
] whats In your mindr' cried Ryanne.