The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1916-09-15
CHAPTER xVI-continued.

The peace was absolute. Golden
clouds sank lazily through the quiet
air, and beyond the haze single fiery
star blazed down from dome of en-
erald. He lifted himself painfully on
his elbow. This was not death, nor
the world he had left. Where there
lad been hills there were now plains.
and the gullies had become mountains.
Where there had been men there were
now nothing but smooth layers of un-
troubled sand. Something moved and
touched Farquhar. He started and
looked down at the man whose head
still rested against his arm. Their eyes
met. In the red twilight they recog-
nized each otler-and their eyes shift
ed instantly in shy horror of that which
the other had become. Arnaud dragged
himself up upon his elbow and
-eoughed the sand from his lungs.
My horse bolted and threw me" he
jerked out gratingly. II must have
been half stunned. l did not know
that it was-you." There was brief
silence. They measured each other.
Then Arnaud stretched out his hand.
I'm sorry-I wish to God did not
hate you, Farquhar."
They went on. Behind a great rock
which lowered out of the storm-driyen
sand they found Colonel Destinn. He
stood with his back to them and count
mained. There were hundred in all.
They had fought the sirocco for ten
hours. The sand clung to their uni
forms, to their hair and boards. On
every face was printed the same dev-
astation. the same exhausted suffering,
and something else that looked like
the rayenous greed of wolves whose
prey is within sight. Colonel Destinn
turned. ITO work-at once-all of
your he commanded. But they did
not move. They stood there. watching
him. As he saw their purpose he
sprang back.
Six times his revolver barked in the
stiIlness-four men rolled over. Then
he waited for them, his arms folded
tldomitable, imperturbabIe. triumphant
TO the last. They flung themselves
upon him. But for one swift moment
Farquhar had met Destinn's eyes.
What passed in that lightning recog-
milton he did not know. He broke
through the raging circle of madmen,
bea ting up their weapons, and flung
himself recklessly between the lonely
man and death. A bullet grazed his
cheek. and he laughed, q cracked, high
pitched laugh of good d-humored mock
cry.
you're no good, comrades-no good.
You can't even shoot. You wanted me
as a leader-now I'll lead you. I'll
slead you against the Arabs. against all
France, to Morocco, to freedom; but
I claim this man as my prisoner, COM
rades; claim his life"
They cursed somberly at him.
at won't dor' the foremost legion
ary shouted. They're the only wit
nesses against us. Dead men don't
tell tales. If we're caught who's to
know they didn't die in the storm with
the iest?'
eff we're caught | give you my
word of honor that none of you shall
suffer-" Farquhar interrupted. ITS
nv word against these two lives. Is
1t bargain?'
They answered with a frenzied, dry
throated cheer. Harding seized Far
oufar's hand and kissed it. and the
next instant they were all around him.
sobbing. laughing, shouting like chill
dren awakened from intoierable night
mare. They called their allegiance to
him in dozen half-fOrgotten tongues.
they gripped his hands and kissed the
hem of his tattered coat in fantastic
worship.
We'll follow you, Englshman: do
with us as you like-we trust you"
There were burning tears of graft
t,1dc. of a deeply stirred pity, on his
cheeks. He turned gravely to the two
officers.
You are my prisoner. Colonel De-
stinn; Captain Arnaud, must ask you
for your sword. Have | your word Of
honor that neither of you will attempt
escape"
Arnaud bowed. Destinn was smil-
Ing
The men were silent. A strange.
pitiable figure had crept out from the
shadow of the rocks. 1t was GoetZ-
Goetz, scarcely recognizable save for
the ivid scar across his cheek. He
staggered hr;HE!y, and his cracked and