Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1912-11-01
The Arab turned. 'That, efrendrf

ne listened.
After that a great silence fell upon
the desert. The wind ceased blowing
The horses dropped their heads and
were quiet Abdi stood dark statue
throwing a gigantic shadow on the
sand.
Cameron's eyes ached with the
watching and with a longing for sleep
to come to his burning eyelidA
Suddenly tiny spark appeared at
the top of nearby hillook. It dis.
apeared
Instantly Abdi struck fusee and
lighted cigarette. As his lean dark
face was exposed In the glow Of the
brief light Cameron saw look Of
eagerness spread over the grim fea-
lures Of his dragoman.
"a signal" decided Cameron, won
dering whether II would not be wiser
to bowl the traitor over with one shot
now and II there was to be a battle
let 1t begin at once and have It over
with
There would be small chance of his
escaping alive II the enemy should
surround him as they would be likely
to do. Even now they might be crouch
ing behind the very sand dune against
which he was leaning.
Almost anything was better than the
strain Of waiting for something to hap
pen. He would give them ten minutes
more and then. He glanced at his
watch and saw that It was two hours
after midnight.
He was impatient at the idea OF hay
ing his arrival at Glib delayed by an
other dry and he could not understand
Adds stupidity In prolonging the Jour
ney except In the light Of having be-
trayed his master to the bandits
Abdl smoked his cigarette peace
fully and finally flung the burning end
to the ground. Cameron watched for
some answering signal but saw moth
ing.
perhaps It is the signal to attack |
now" he muttered and at that instant |
Abdi turned swiftly and yelled at him.
"Baalek" UookoutD was his cry, and |
It was flung as a warning to Cam
eron.
Cameron dropped into the shadow Of
the hillock and awaited with quickened |
pulses the swift padding OF feet among
the sand dunes. He saw Abdi throw
himself into similar attitude and he
was ashamed that he had mistrusted
the loyal fellow even as he thrilled
with the realization that no was not
fighting alone-there were two
them.
Abdl had the point of vantage; he
could see what was coming. Cameron
watched his dark form.
Suddenly Abdl sprang to his full
height and screamed fanatically:
LA illah Allah, Mohammed Rasoul
Il Allahl"
There came a sharp shot out OF the
silence that followed his challenging
cry. and the Arab tumbled back,
elutching his arm.
"Come on out OF that, you JackalsF
sang out strong English speaking
voice from the direction Of the shot
that had wounded Abdi.
Cameron's breath nearly left his
body.
"Hi, therel Who are your he called
out.
"The devllp was the astonishing en-
plosive retort. Come on, Appleby;
let's Investigate this civilized lndlvid-
ual." And footsteps came nearer. near
er. and finally rounded the hillock
against which the grooming Abdl lean
cd, and two men dressed In European
garments and wearing white plth he'll
NETS appeared
They stopped at sight of the group
Of three horses. the wounded Arab
and the solitary form OF tho American
In garb similar TO their own.
"ADpleby, who Is your fool friend"
asked Cameron coolly as he approach.
ed them.
"Ford Cameron calculated Apple.
by, staring with all his might. "IIave
we been stalking you all the even
mgr
"You have" returned Cameron
grimly. "Tts wonder you didn't get
ported What did you think we were.
ehW
Bandits. We heard you were com
ing. How7 Desert wireless. OF course
Thought we'd come out and meet you.
Started yesterday and got lost Last
night the pesky robbers harried us all !
over the desert Thought we were In
for another night OF II, only wo chang
ed about and hunted tho hunters
Funny, isn't itT
Appleby ratified lightly on us his
companion leaned over tho grooming
Arab. deftIy ripped tho covering from
ahnnIHnr M 40 hpl a1 mt. |
nation Of the wound by tho light OF
an electric pocket lamb that quite
awed Abdi Into submission.
"a mere scratch he pronounced
brusquely MS he took out small case
from his pocket, applied ointment and
b0ndages There, my good fellow;
you'll be all right In a day or 10.
Mighty sorry Dlnked you. but IL was
fortunes Of war"
He pressed a gold coin into tho
Arabs eager hand. and, waving aside
the murmured thanks. he Joined the
other two men
"Let me introApce DIR. Ransom" said
Applcby 10 Cameron. Hes the med
icnl end Of the expedition"
The three sat and talked in tho al.
minishing moonlight while Abdi Stun.
bered ftfully.
When day dawned Cameron mount.
ed hIllock and looked in all direc.
TONS Against tho eastern sky stood
palm trees in dark silhouette.
"Tho ruins Of Gibp he shouted
down 10 his companions
As the three stood and watched the
rising Of the sun Abdi stirred himself
and turned bis face 10 the cast.
ia lllnh Allah. Mohnmmet Rasoul
II Allnhr he chanted And this time