Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-17
CHAPTER V.-Continued.

LAY. ay. SIR answered the second
| mate. the habit of years still strong upon
him. and went on to issue his own COM
mands in the curt growl of custom. The
fellow who had lighted pipe in defiance
| Of him was apparently auelled.
1t seemed that he meant to leave some
| of his men to guard that end OF the
gorge. And you'll keep sharp look
out" he instructed them. very threaten
inSly. IF we're trapped in this damned
tunnel there will be all hell to pay-and
you'll pay it,
way with your bayonets And don't fire
SO long as cold steel will serve
The two listeners could hear the dull
clink and shuttle Of the advance. That
soon died away. The men who had been
LETT behind began a low, intermittent
grumbling over their own hard lot; they
did not believe for a moment that their
comrades would share the loot fairly with
them. Hobson was a coward at heart.
said one. or why. otherwise. would they
be wasting their time there? They were
all smoking by then.
1.-THE whole things a cinch, declared
the same speaker. more loudly. I'll swear
there isn't an Arab outside the ring fence
we've drawn around EN-; I'm going on
along inside. to get what l want for my
self. I'm not afraid of Mr.. Blasted Hob
SON."
He came out into the open. and stood
for q moment or two listening intently
within a few feet of where Sallie and
Reuben Yoxall were crouching. their
backs toward him. But the ceaselcss
crash and rumble of the breakers was all
there was to be heard.
He turned back and tramped off into
the gorge with two OF the others for conf
pany. But three remained.
Sallie felt Reuben Yoxall tug at her
sleeve and began to move softly away
after him. From somewhere i'm the dis
followed in quick succession. The ir-
regular crackle of Independent rife fire
soon made it clear that the concentric
attack on the camp had begun. The three
men i'm the mouth of the gorge were
shouting excitedly to each other.
We must get away back on board at
once" Yoxall whispered. reremptorily.
We can't search the whole Sahara.
yon saw him. You've done all YOU can.
Sallie. You've kept your promise. Come
away. now.
She suppressed hopeless sob with an
effort. II seemed so inexpressibly hard
that they should have gained nothing at
all by the grave risk they were still rum
ming But hope had failed her. too.
well wait by the boat-just for lit
tle Rube." she begged. none the less. 1T
may be that
"Come on them" he urged again. Lets
get to the boat. and If you'll stay by IT
I'll scout round bit before we put off
again"
Move this way" she directed him as
he moved on, impatient to get her back
into at least comparative safety. And
under her guidance they soon reached
the rough-trodden path that led toward
the lagoon where the boats were lying.
A hundred yards farther on he stopped
her abruptly and dropped to the ground
to set an anxious ear to 1t. He was up
again in a second or two.
There's whole army coming this
way" he declared, in tone of stricken
dismay, land horses with them, too!
I'VE must make for the soft sand. and
lie down and burrow as deep as we can"
He turned toward the sea, one arm
about her. and almost carried her across
the deep, undulating drifts that clutched
at her ankles like dry quicksand. His
own strength soon failed against them.
He stumbled and fell on his face at the
brink of slope. and slipped on into its
hollow and lay there quite still. But he
had not lost her feet, and she was soon
covering beside him. face downward also.
They had both heard the nearness OF
those other feet-very many Of them
which had seemingly crossed from the
pathway to intercept them.
a hoarse murmur was audible behind
them. Some one had ordered a halt.
They could hear the heavy breathing of
men ana the restless movements OF horses
hook deep in the drift. They could al
most see the ghostly shapes Of the white
cloaked riders. but only the leaders, horse
was even very dimly observation-disclosures
1t also was white. Its bride was jingling
little. too, as none OF the others was.
He uttered short, sharp order. and
Sallie set her teeth to choke back the cry
of despair which had almost escaped her.
For it was the emir himself, into whose
hands they seemed fated to fall, and his
tone told the temper he was In.
From among his horsemen a number
of men on foot seemed to have emerged.
and he was speaking to one Of them in
English.
Are you there. my fine dOctor?" he
asked. evilly, and leaned from his saddle.
as though ne could see through the dark.
I'm here level voice replied and
Sallie covered her face with her hands
in helpless horror.
You're here, you say! And here you'll
stay, say las was promised you," Missed
the emir. Its not right that the likes
of you should be still drawing breath and
her you know OF already cold. You're
quick yet and she's dead, my fine doctor
but yours is the funeral that comes
first. And you're standing over your own
grave now-heils waiting for you beneath
your feet. Stand to one side and let my
men dig down to it,
There was more movement about him
and then a quick shoveling of sand.
"If it's all the same to you I'll tell
emir. venomously. But the man In the
that.