The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1918-01-10
Copyright by
Frank A. Munscy Co.
CHAPTER TX.
When Thieves Fall Out,

Their plans were wei maze lHcTe
was no mention of the white prisoner,
They chose to pretend that they were
not aware that Kovudoo had n white
prisoner. They exchanged gifts with
the old chief, haggling with his pleni-
potentiaries over the value OF what
they were to receive for what they
gave, as Is customary and proper when
one has no Interior motives. Unwar-
ranted generosity would have aroused
suspicion.
During the palaver which followed
they retailed the gossip Of the villages
through which they had passed, receiv-
Ing In exchange such news AZ kovudoO
possessed. The palaver was long and
tiresome, as these native ceremonies
always are to Europeans. Kovudoo
made no mention of his prisoner, and
from his generous efforts OF guides and
presents seemed anxious to assure
himself of the speedy departure Of his
guests.
It was Malbihn who, quite casually,
near the close Of their talk. mentioned
the fact that the sheik was dead. Kov-
udoo evinced interest and surprise.
"You did not know III" asked NAL
bihn. "That Is strange. 1t was during
the last noon. He fell from his horse
when the beast stepped In n hole. The
horse fell upon him. When his men
anne up the sheik was quite dead"
Kovudoo scratched his head. He was
much disappointed. No sheik meant no
ransom for the white girl.
II know where there is Il white GIRL"
he said Unexpectedly. IF you wish to
buy her she may be had cheap"
Malbihn shrugged. ave have trouble
enough. KOvudOo," he said, without
burdening ourselves with an old.
broken down she hyena. and as for
paying for One"-Malbihn snapped his
fingers.
"She Is young" said Kovudoo, "and
good looking"
The Swedes laughed. "There are no
good looking white women In the Jun
gle, K%ovudoo," said Jensen. you
should be ashamed to try to make fun
Of old friends"
Kovudoo sprang to his feet. "Come."
he said, II will show you"
Malbihn and Jensen rose to follow
him, and as they did so their eyes met,
and Malbihn slowly dropped n Of
his lids In a sly wink. Together they
followed Kovudoo toward his hut. In
me aim Interior they discerned the
figure of a lying bound upon
a sleeping mat.
Malbihn took a single glance and
turned away. "She must be n thou
sand years old. KovudoO," he said as
he left the hut.
"She Is yOung!" cried the savage.
ut Is dark In here. You cannot see.
Wait. l will have her brought out In
the sunlight" And he commanded the
two warriors who watched the girl to
cut the bonds from her ankles and
lead her forth fer inspection.
Malbihn and Jensen evinced no
eagerness, though both were fairly
bursting with it, not to see the girl,
but to obtain possession of her. They
cared not If she had the face of a mar
moset or the figure Of pot bellied Ko-
vudoO himself. All that they wished
to know was that she was the girl
who had been stolen from the sheik
several years before. They thought
that they would recognize her for such
II she were indeed the same. But ever
so, the testimony Of the runner KOvu.
doc had sent to the sheik was such rs
to assure them that the girl was the
n they had n C before attempted
to abduct.
AS Meriem was brought forth from
the darkness Of the hut's interior the
two men turned, with every appear.
ance Of disinterestedness, to glance at
her. It was with difficulty that NAL
bihn suppressed an ejaculation Of as
tonishment. The girls beauty fairly
took his breath from him. But In
stantly he recovered his poise and
turned to Kovudoo.
"WellY" he said to the old chief.
us she not both young and good
looking?" asked KOvudoo.
"She Is not DID," replied Malbihn.
"But, ever so, she will be a burden.
We did not come from the north after
wives. There are more than enough
there for u.s."
Meriem stood looking straight at the
white men. She expected nothing from
them-they were to her as much enc
mics as the black men. She hated and
feared them all. Malbihn spoke to her
In Arabic.
"We are friends" he said. "Would
you like to have us take you away
from herer"
Slowly and dimly. al though from q
great distance. recollection of the once
familiar tongue returned to her.
II should like to 60 Free" she said,
sand 60 back to KOrak."
sYou would like to 60 with usf"
persisted Malbihn.
mo" said Meriem.