The Mena weekly star., 1913-06-12

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 A good fire was started, and the fu- nereal aspect of the oasis became quick and cheerful. A little distance rom the blaze, George saw Fortune bending over the inanimate Ryanne one was bathing his face with a wet handkerchief. After time Ryanne turned over and flung his arms Imply across his face. It was the first sign or life he had exhibited since the start. Fortune gently pulled aside ms arms and continued her tender mercies.
 Can l help" asked George.
 You might rub his wrists" she | answered.
 It seemed odd to him that they should begin in such a matter-of.fact way. It would be only when they had fully adjusted Themselves to the situation that questions would put forth for answers. He knelt down at the other side of Ryanne and mas saged his wrists and arms. Once he paused, catching his breath.
 What is it?" she asked
 "A rib seems to bother me. It'll be all right tomorrow" He went on with his manipulations.
 "Is he badly hurt?"
 q cant say"
 His knowledge of anatomy WAS not wide; still, Ryanne's arms and legs worked satisfactorily. The trouble was aitbpr in bio bood o, baat. e ,-. ribs. He put his arm under Ryanne's shoulder and raised him. Ryanne mumbled some words. George bent down to catch them. Hit 'em up in this half, boys; we've got them going. Hell! Get off my head, you farmer! Two cards, please" His face puckered into what was intended Tor a smile. George laid him back gently. Football and poker: what had this man not known or seen in life? Some one came between the two men and the fire, casting long shadow athwart them. George looked up and saw Mahomed standing close by. His arms were folded and his face grimly inscrutable.
 Have you any blankets?" asked George coolly.
 Mahomed gave an order. A blanket and two saddlebags were thrown down beside the unconscious man. George made pillow of the bags and laid the blanket over Ryanne.
 "Why do you waste your time over him?" asked Mahomed curiously.
 "1 would not let dog die this way" he retorted.
 He would have let you die" replied Mahomed, turning upon his heel.
 George stared thoughtfully at his whilom accomplice. What did the old villain insinuate?
 Can l do anything to make you more comfortable?" speaking to For tune.
 "I'm all right. was chilled little while ago, but the fire has done away with that. Thank you"
 You must eat when they bring you food"
 'I'll try to-" smiling bravely.
 To take her in his arms, then and there, to appease their hunger and his hearts!
 Self-consciously her hand stole to her hair. A color came into her cheeks. How frightful she must look! Neither hair-pin nor comb was left. She threw the strands across her shoulder and plucked the snarls and tangles apart, then braided the whole. He watched her, fascinated. He had never seen a woman do this before. It was almost a sacrilege for him to be so near her at such a moment. Afterward she drew her blanket over her shoulders.
 You've got lots of pluck"
 Have I?'
 "Yes. You haven't asked a question yet"
 Would 1t help any?"
 "Nc, don't suppose it would. I've an idea that we're all on the way to the home of Haroun-al-Rashid."
 "Bagdad," musingly.
 It's the rug. But I do not under. stand you in the picture"
 No more do l."
 With a consideration that spoke well of his understanding, he did not speak to her again till food was passed. Later, when the full terror of the affair took hold of her, she would be dreadfully lonely and would need to see him near, to hear his voice. He forced some of the hot soup down Ryanne's throat, and was glad to note that he responded little. After that he limped about the strange camp, but was careful to get in no ones way. Slyly he took note of this face and that, and his satisfaction grew as he counted the aftermath of the war. And it had taken five of them, and even then the result had been In doubt up to the moment when his head had gone bang against the stucco. He took a melancholy pride fin his swollen ear and half-shut eye. He had always been doubtful regard. ing his courage; and now he knew that George Percival Algernon Jones was as good a name as Bayard.
 The camel-boys (they are called boys all the way from ten years up to forty), having hobbled the beasts, were portioning each a small bundle of tibbin or chopped straw in addition to what they might find by grazing. Funny brutes, thought George, as he walked among the kneeling animals to go five days without food or water, to travel continuously from twenty five to eighty miles the day! Others were busy with the pack-baskets. A tent nrasnmahlY MahomRd'S Maa na-