Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-14
tCopVriDht, 1919

the human hultSmen IN MS rear tnar
of the wild carnivora ahead.
Dawn came at last, but still the
man plodded on. All sense of hunger
and fatigue was lost in the terrors of
capture. He could think only of es
cape. He dared not pause to rest or
eat until there was no further dan.
ger from pursuit. And so he stag.
gered on until at last he fell and could
of the length of time he had been flee.
ing, nor did he care. When he could
flee no longer the knowledge that he
had reached his limit was hidden from
him in the unconsciousness of utter
exhaustion.
And thus it was that Achmet Eek,
the Arab. found him. Achmet's fol.
lowers We're for running spear
through the body of their hereditary
enemy: but Achmet would have it
otherwise. First he would question
the Belgian. 1t was easier to ques-
ton man first and kill him afterward
than kill him first and then question
him.
So he had Lieutenant Albert wer-
per carried to his own tent, and there
slaves administered wine and food in
small quantities until at last the
prisoner regained consciousness AS
he opened his eyes he saw the faces
of strange black men about him, and
just outside the tent the figure of an
Arab. Nowhere was the uniform of
his soldiers TO be seen.
The Arab turned, and seeing the
open eyes Of the prisoner upon him,
entered the tent.
Il am Achmet Eek" he announced.
"Who are you, and what were YOU. do.
ing in my country? Where are YOUR
solders?"
Achmet Eek, Werper's eyes went
wide, and his heart sank. He was in
the clutches of the most notorious of
cutthroats-a hater of all Europeans
especially those who wore the uniform
of Belgium. For years the military
forces OF Belgian Congo had waged
a fruitless war upon this man and his
followers-a war in which quarter had
never been asked nor expected bv
either side.
But presently in the very hatred Of
the man for Belgians Werper saw a
faint ray of hope for himself. He,
too, was an outcast and an outlaw So
far, at least, they possessed a common
interest, and Werper decided to NAV
upon it for ali that it might yield.
Il have heard of you," he replied,
and was searching for you. My peo.
pie turned against me. 1 hate them.
Even now their soldiers are searching
for me, to kill me. I knew that you
would protect me from them, for YOU.
too. hate them. In return I will take
service with you. I am a trained
soldier. l can fight, and your enemies
are my enemies"
Achmet Eek eyed the European in
silence. In his mind he revolved many
thoughts, chief among which was that
the unbeliever lied. OF course, there
was the chance that he did not lie,
and If he told the truth then his
proposition was one we'll worthy Of
consideration, since fighting men were
never overplentiful; especially white
men with the training and knowledge
that European officer must possess
Achmet Eek scowled and Werper's
heart sank; but Werper did not know
Achmet Eek, who was quite apt to
scowl where another would smile and
smile where another would scowl.
And if you have lied to me-" said
Achmet Eek, Il can kill you at any
time. What return, other than your
life, do you expect for your services?'
my keep, only, at first" replied
, Werper. Later, if I am worth more
we can easily reach an understand
. ing"
, Werper's only desire at the moment
was to preserve his life. And SO the
, agreement was reached, and Lieuten
, ant Albert Werper became a member
, of the ivory and slave-raiding band OF
, the notorious Achmet Eek.
t For months the renegade Belgian
> rode with the raiders. He fought witt
/. a savage abandon and a vicious cruelty
, fully equal to that of his fellow des
q peradoes. Achmet Eek watched his re
| cruit with eagle eye, and with a
a growing satisfaction which finally
found expression in a greater conf
;. dence in the man, and increased inde
!. pendence Of action for Werner
1 Achmet Eek took the Belgian int,
= his confidence to a greater extent, AM
a at last unfolded to him a pet schem
: which the Arab had long fostered, bu
E which he never had found an oppor
. tunity to effect. With the aid of
: European, however, the thing nigh
be easily accomplished. He sounde,
!. Werper.
you have heard of the man mel
I call Tarzan?. he asked.
Werper nodded. 4 have heard O
him; bur 1 do moi ktow him."
! ~ n \. rs r 1 +