The Press., 1912-12-11

ing behind the very sand dune5againsi which he was leaning. s I Almusf anything was better than the strain of waiting for something to nap pet He would give them ten minutes more afid then. He glanced at DIS watch and saw that 1t was two hours after midnight ~
 1 He was impa tient at the idea of hay ing his arrival at Gib delayed by an other day and he could not understand Abdi's stupidity in prolonging the jour- ney except in the light of having be- trayed his master to the bandits
 Abdi smoked his cigarette peace fully and finally flung the burning end to the ground Cameron watched TOT some answering signal but saw noth' ing
 "Perhaps 1t is the signal to attack now" he muttered and at that Instant AbdI turned swiftly and yelled at him. ..Bnuek!" (Lookout! was his cry, ana Ii, was flung as a warning to Cam prOn. l Cameron dropped into the shadow o1 the hlllock and awaited with quickene0 pulses the swift padding of feet among the sand dunes He saw Abdi throw himself into similar attitude ana ne was ashamed that he had mistruste0 the loyal fellow even as he tnrliie0 with the realization that he wns not lighting nlone-there were two or | them. es
 Ahdi had the point of vantage; he could see what was coming Cameron watched his dark form ....... ..s..
 Suddenly Abdl sprang to his fuii hetght and screamed fanatically:
 "La illah Allah. Mohammed Rasou' q Allah"
 There came a sharp shot out Of fne stlenrc that followed his challenging cry, and the Arab tumbied back' rlutchmg his arm. =. ! "t'oinr on out of that, you jackaIs! ; sang out strong English speaking voice from the direction of the shot that had wounded Abdi
 Cameron's breath nearly left his hody
 m. therel Who are you7" he called out.
 "The devll!" was the astonishing ex' plosive retort. Come on. Appleby: tets investigate this civilized individ- ual." And footsteps came nearer. near CT. and finally rounded the hillock agniust which the grooming Abdl lean ed, and two men dressed in European garments and wearing white pith nei- mets appeared.
 They stopped at sight of the group of three horses. the wounded AraD and the solitary form of the American in garb similar to their own.
 "Appleby. who is your fool frtendT asked Cameron coolly as he approach ed them " -
 "Ford Cameronv calculated Apple by, staring with all his might. Have we been stalking you all the even Ing?' .You have" returned Cameron griInly It's a wonder you didn't get T,Otted What did you think we were. rh?" .--|~ :.
 Bandits We heard you were com ing sHow? Desert wireless. of course Thought we'd come out and meet you. Started yesterday and got lost. Last night the pesky robbers harr1ed us all over the desert Thought we were in for another night of 1t. only we chang ed about and hunted the hunters. Funny. isn't ItY''
 Appleby rattled lightly on as his companion leaned over the groaning Arab. .deftIy ripped the covering from his shoulder and made brief exami, nation of the wound by the light of an electric pocket lamb that quite awed Abdi into submission.
 "A mere scratch" he pronounced brusquely as he took out a small case from his pocket. applied ointment and bandages There. my good fellow: you'll be all right in a day or SO. Mighty sorry pinked you, but 1t was fortunes of war;
 He pressed a gold coin into the Arabs eager hand. and. waving aside the murmured thanks. he joined the other two men. =,,
 "Letsme intr. 9rce Dr., Ransom" said Appleby to Cameron. He's the med ical end. of the expedition"
 The three sat and talked in the di- minishing moonlight. while Abdi slum- bered f1tfully.
 When day dawned Cameron mount. ed q hillock and looked in all direc- tions. Against the eastern sky stood palm trees in dark silhouette.
 "The ruins of Gib!" he shouted down to his companions.
 AS the three stood and watched the rising of the sun Abdi stirred himself and turned his face to the east.
 ''La illah Allah. Mohammet Rasoul n Allah" he chanted And this time