The Mena weekly star., 1916-07-06


 dropped back. With an effort he gath. cred the unconscious man closer. keep. ing his face uppermost. Then he lay still. wondering if this were death.
 The peace was absolute Golden clouds sank lazily through the quiet air, and beyond the haze single fiery star blazed down from a dome of em. erald. He lifted himself painfully on his elbow. This was not death. For the world he had left. Where there had been hills there were now plains. and the gulies 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 other-and their eyes shift ed instantly in shy horror of that which the other had become. Arnaud dragged himself up upon his elbow and coughed the sand from his lungs.
 My horse bolted and threw me-" he jerked out gratingly. q must have been half stunned I did not know that it was-you.' There was a brief silence. They measured each other. Then Arnaud stretched out his hand.
 I'm sorry--I wish to God I did not hate you. Farquhar."
 They went on Behind a great rock yvhioh toxvaraJ ant of tho ,+orv, 1 1rl,,o.. sand they found Colonel Destinn. He stood with his back to them and count ed the thin circle of men who re- mained. There were a hundred in all They had fought the siroeco for ten hours. The sand elung to their uni forms, to their hair and boards. On every face was printed the same dew astation, the same exhausted suffering, and something else that looked like the ravenous 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 parked in the stillness-four men rolled over Then he waited for them, his arms folded indomitable. imperturbable. 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, beating up their weapons. and flung himself recklessly between the lonely man and death. A bullet grazed his cheek. and he laughed, a cracked, high pitched laugh of good-humored mock cry.
 You're no good, comrades-no gooo You can't even shoot. You wanted me as leader-now I'll lead you. I'll lead you against the Arabs, against all France. to Morocco, to freedom; but claim this man as my prisoner, con- rades; I claim his life"
 They cursed somberly at him.
 Tt won't dov' the foremost legiofr ary shouted. "They're the only wit nesses against us. Dead men don't | tell tales If we're caught who's to kno. they didn't die in the storm with the rest?"
 If we're caught I give you my word of honor that none of you shall suffer" Farquhar interrupted. "Its my word against these two lives. Is | it a bargain?'
 They answered with a frenzied, dry throated cheer. Harding seized Far quhar's hand and kissed it, and the next instant they we're all around him, sobbing. laughing shouting like chill dren awakened from intolerable 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.
 wen follow you, EngIishman; dc with us as you hke-we trust you" There were burning tears of grati- tude, 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 I 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 tho shadow of the rocks. It was Goetz- Goetz. scarcely recognizable save for the livid scar across his cheek He staggered blindly, and his cracked and bloodless lips could make no sound. But he pointed westward. A low line of dust whirled against tae scarlet horizon and came nearer. Tn the dying light flashes of silver broke through the rapidly moving cloud They could almost hear the thud of gallopIng hoofs.
 "Arabs!'
 The word passed like a sigh from mouth to mouth.
 (Continued Nexr Week.
 
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