The Holly chieftain., 1915-07-09


why, Unite that sash from your waist.
Quickly"
Craig obeyed.
Tie it to the tree" Quest ordered.
Leave room enough"
Craig did as he was told. Then he
turned and held the loose ends up.
Quest lowered his revolver for a mo-
ment as he pushed Feerda towards II.
Craig, with wonderful spring, reach
ed his side and kicked the revolver
away. Before Quest could ever stooB
to recover 1t he saw the glitter of the
others knife pressed against his chest.
Listen Craig declared. I've made
up my mind. l won't go back to Amer
lea. I've had enough of being hunted
all over the world. This time think
I'll rid myself of one of you, at any
rate
.'Wiil you?"
The interruption was so unexpected
that Craig lost his nerve Through an
opening in the trees, only a few feet
away. Lenora had suddenly appeared.
She, too, held revolver, her hand
was as steady as a rock.
Drop your knife she ordered
Craig.
He obeyed without hesitation
Now, tie the sash around the girl"
He obeyed mechanically. Quest took
Craig by the collar and led him to
the spot where the others we're wait.
ing. They hoisted him on to horse.
Already behind them they could see
the flare of the torches from the re-
turning Mongars.
"You know the way to Port Said,"
Quest whispered. See that you lead
US there. There will be trouble, mind,
If you don't"
Craig made no reply. He rode off in
front of the little troop, covered all
the time by Quests revolver Very
soon they were out of the jungle and
In the open desert Quest looked be-
hind him uneasily.
''To judge by the row those fellows
are making" he remarked. 81 should
think that they've found Feerda al.
ready"
'In that case," the professor said
gravely, let me recommend you TO
push on as fast as possible. We have
had one escape from those fellows,
but nothing in the world can save us
now that you have laid hands upon
Feerda. The chief would never forgive
that"
They galloped steadily on. The
moon rose higher and higher until II
became as light as day.
Quest fell little behind the pro.
! ct rr< ~ 1oex -
watching Craig.
Look behind you. professor" he
whispered
In the far distance were a number
of little black specks, growing every
moment larger. Even at that moment
they heard the low, long call of the
Mongars.
"They are gaining on u.s." Quest
muttered.
They raced on for another mile or
more. bullet whistled over their
heads. Quest frightened his reins.
mo good" he sighed. WED better
stay and fight it out. professor. Stick
close to me, Lenora."
They drew up and hastily dismount.
ed. The Mongars closed in around
them. A cloud had drifted in front
of the moon, and in the darkness 1t
was. almost impossible to see their
whereabouts. They heard the chiefs
voice.
"Shoot first that dog Of Craig!"
There was a shrek. Suddenly
Feerda, breaking loose from the 9th.
ers. raced across the little division.
She flung herself from her horse.
Tell my father that you were not
faithless," she pleaded. They shall
not kill you!"
She clung to Craig's neck. The bul.
lets were beginning to whistle around
them now. All of a sudden she threw
up her arms. Craig, in fury, turned
around and fred into the darkness.
Then suddenly, as though on the bid
ding of some unspoken word, there
was a queer silence. Everyone was
distinctly conscious of an alien sound
the soft thud Of many horses feet
galloping from the right; then sharp,
English voice of command.
Hold your fire. men. Close in to
the left there. Steady"
The cloud suddenly rolled away
from the moon. A long line of horse
men were Immediately visible. The
officer in front rode forward
Drop your arms and surrender" he
ordered, sternly.