The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1916-07-20

CHAPTER xvl-contlnusd.
The peace was absolute. Golden
clouds sank lazily through the uuieI
air, and beyond the haze a single fiery
star blazed down from q dome OF EN-
erald. He lifted himself painfully on
bis elbow. This was not death, nor
the world he had left. Where there
had 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
stiI 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-" be
1erked out gratingly. II must have
been half stunned. did not know
that It was-you." There was 4 brief
silence. They measured each other.
Then Arnaud stretched out his hand.
I'm sorry-I wish to God did not
bate you. Farquhar."
They went on. Behind a great rock
which lowered out Of the driven
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 hundred in all.
They had fought the sirocco for ten
hours. The sand chung 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 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 be
sprang back.
Six times his revolver barked in the
stfllness-four men rolled over. Then
he waited for them, his arms folded
lndomitable. imperturbable, triumphant
to the last. They flung themselves
upon him. But for one swift moment
FarQuhar had met Destinn's ewes.
What passed In that lightning recoe-
milton he did not know. He broke
through the raging circle OF madmen.
beating up their weapons, and dung
himself recklessly between the lonely
man and death. A bullet Rrazed HIS
cheek, and he laughed, a cracked high
pitched laugh Of good-humored mock
cry.
You're no good. comrades-no rood
You can't even shoot You wanted me
as & leader-now I'll lead you. ri
lead you against the Arabs, against all
France. to Morocco. to freedom: but
| claim this man as my prisoner, CON-
rades; claim his llfe.r
They cursed somberly at him.
1T won't dor the foremost legion
airy shouted. They're the only wit
nesses against us. Dead men don,t
tell tales. II we're caught who's to
know they didn't die In the storm with
the restf"
III we're caught give you my
word OF honor that none of you shall |
suffer- Farquhar interrupted. .Ifs
my word against these two lives. Ia
II a bargainY'
They answered with a frepzied dry.
throated cheer. Harding seized Far
duhar's hand and kissed 1t. and the
next instant they were all around him.
soooing' laughing. shouting like chill
dren awakened from intolerable NIGHT
mare. They called their allegiance IN
him In dozen half-forgotten tongues.
they gripped bis hands and kissed the
hem OF his tattered coat in fantastic
worship.
wen follow you. Englishman: do
with us as you like-we trust you.-
There we're burning tears Of graft
tude. OF 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
TOR your sword. Have your word Of
honor that neither OF you viii attempt
escaper
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 hyid scar across his cheek. He
staggered biindly, and his cracked and I