The Washington times., 1919-03-16
CHAPTER V.
Copyright. 1919. By star Company.


r T was not at all with a heavy heart that Lebaudy
arrived in London. His visions Of empire were
stronger than ever and he was fully determined to
establish himself firmly as Jacques l., Emperor Of the
Sahara
His first expedition to the coast of Morocco had not
succeeded But Lebaudy argued that his failure due
to the lack Of sufficiently strong armed force. This
with his Millions he could and would promptly remedy.
Some things of Importance had actually been
accomplished He had visited the land of his prospective
domain and had assured himself of friendly welcome
by least some of the natives He had true had
an unfortunate experience with tribe of Arabs who
oyerpowered his little armed guard of five Sailors but
they had been rescued. and the task before the
Emperor return at his earliest convenience, sup
ported by sufficient armed force resistance
and establish his throne the desert coast.
With this in view Lebaudy set at work to procure
the necessary men. materials, and insignia of
empire. He established himself the Savoy Hotel,
already related and began to recruit army appoint
generals and military aids, design currency. postage
stamps, imperial flags. ivory throne and to extend
invitations many professional stage beauties to grace
his imperial court and harem as ladies of title and
quality
As has been told in these pages, the general whom
Lebaudy selected to lead his army NJ Labardesque
the picturesque hero of than fifty French dues and
of daredevil adventures all over the globe.
The nucleus of the army was to be known the I'm
perial Saharan Lifeguards 1t to consist of 1000
Arab horSemen-men from the tribes which had
caused him much trouble his visit to Africa
What better protection could be asked for throne in
the Sahara than army of these ferocous nomadsf They
were all expert horsemen Injured to hardshps of every
kind able frlt with equal skill with swords and rifles
And their religion taught their hope of heaven de-
pended on their fearleSSness in the face of DEATH
But while Lehaudy had been deeply impressed with
Che warke qualities of the Arabs he had also seen enough
of their treachery to realize that he could hardly trust
them to officer the army As men in the ranks they
would do very we'll but for coohes majors captains and
lieutenantS more trustworthy must be found
At this time Theodore Roosevelt just completing
his first term President of the United States Lebaudy
had been keeny interested in what he had read of the
pcts of the Colonel and his Rough Riders IN the Spanish
American War and Of his subsequent rapid rise to pot
cal fame In fact he thought that the Colonel and he had
much and secretly nursed the belief that the
President of the United States would be the first Of the
world rulers to extend aid and sympathy to the new
Empire OF Sahara
1t was therefore quite natural that Lebaudy should
look to President Roosevelt for advice and aid i'll finding
suitable officers for his army Among the the Colonel
had led up San Juan Hill there should be many Le
handy thought who would make good leaders for Sahara
fighting forces
Letters the deliberately embossed stationery OF the
Saharan Empire were dispatched to the White House at
Washington outlining the plans for the army and beg
ging for the recommendation Of former Rough Riders to
take commissions in it.