The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1919-12-05


his eyes he saw the faces of strange
black men about him, and just outside
the tent the figure of an Arab. No
where 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.
II am Achmet Eek" he announced.
who are you, and what were you do
ing in my country? Where are your
soldiers?"
Achmet Eek! Werper's eyes went
wide, and his heart sank. He was in
the clutches of the most notorious of
cut-throats-a Halter of all Europeans,
especially those who wore the uniform
of Belgium.
But 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 play upon it for all
that 1t might yield
II have heard of you," he replied,
land was searching for you. My peo-
pie have turned against me. l hate
them. Even now their soldiers are
searching for me, to kill me. 1 knew
that you would protect me from them.
for you, too, hate them. In return
will take service with you. l am
trained soldier. 1 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 PROPOSE
ton was one well worthy of considera-
| ton, since fighting men We're never
over plentiful-especially white men
with the training and knowledge of
military matters that a European of
| ficer must possess.
eff you have lied to me-" said
Achmet Eek, 81 will 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 l am worth more
we can easily reach an understanding"
Werper's only desire at the moment
was to preserve his life. And so the
agreement was reached and Lieut.. AL
bert Werper became member of the
ivory and slave raiding band of the
notorious Achmet Eek.
For months the renegade Belgian
rode with the savage raiders. He
fought with savage abandon, and a
vicious cruelty fully equal to that of
his fellow desperadoes. Achmet Eek
watched his recruit with eagle eye,
and with a growing satisfaction which
| finally found expression in greater
confidence in the man. and resulted in
an increased independence of action
for Werper
Achmet Eek took the Belgian into
his confidence to great extent, and at
last unfolded to him pet scheme
which the Arab had long festered, but
which he never had found an oppor-
tunity to effect With the aid of
European, however, the thing might be
easily accomplished. He sounded Wer-
per.
you have heard of the man men
call Tarzan?" he asked.
Werper nodded 81 have heard of
him: but I do not know him."
'But for him we might carry on our
trading in safety and with great
profit" continued the Arab. "For
years he has fought us, driving us from
the richest part of the country, haras-
sing us, and arming the natives that
they may repel US when we come to
trade He is very rich. If we could
find some way to make him pay us
many pieces of gold we should not
only be avenged upon him, but repaid
for much that he has prevented us
from winning from the natives under
his protection"
"And you have a plan to make him
pay?" Werper asked.
He has a wife" replied Achmet
Eek. "who men say Is very beautiful
She would bring great price farther
north If we found 1t too difficult to
collect ransom money from this Tar
zan"
Werper bent his head In thought.
Achmet Eek stood awaiting his reply.
What good remained in Albert Werper
revolted at the thought of selling
white woman into the slavery and
degradation of Moslem harem. He
looked up at Achmet Eek. He saw the
Arabs eyes narrow, and he guessed
that the other had sensed his antag-
onism to the plan. What would II
mean to Werper to refuse? What was
this woman to him, anyway? She was
European. doubtless, member of
organized society. He was an outcast.
The hand of every white man was