The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1920-03-05


each was doing its most hideous and
bloody work.
Aehmet Zek- spying Werper at the
first charge. bore down upon the Bel
gian. and the latter. terrified by con-
temptation Of the fate he deserved,
turned his horses head and dashed
madly away IN an effort to escape.
Shouting 10 lieutenant 10 take com
naBd- and urging him upon pain of
death 10 dispatch the Abyssinians and
bring the gold back TO his camp, Ach-
met Zek set of across the plain In pur-
suit Of the Belgian. his wicked nature
unable 10 forego the pleasures OF re-
venge. even al the risk Of sacrificing
the treasure.
Werper. going over his head rolled
a few yards farther on. scrambled TO
his feet and ran back Selling the
reins he rugged 10 drag the beast TO
his feet: but the animal would not or
could not rise, and as the Belgian
cursed and struck him, AehDlet Eek
appeared in view.
Instantly the Belgian ceased his ef-
forts with the dying animal at his feet.
and Selling his rife. dropped behind
The horse and fred al the oncoming
Arab.
His bullet. going low. struck Achmet
Zek's horse N the breast. bringing
hin down hundred yards from where
1erper lay preparing to fire second
shot.
The Arab. no had gone down with
his mount, WIS staining astride him.
and seeing the Belgian's strategic po-
siiion behind his fallen horse, lost no
time in taking up 3 similar one behind
his OWN.
And there the two lay. alternately
firing al and cursing each other, while
from behind the Arab. Tarzan Of the
apes approached 10 the edge Of the
forest Keeping to one side Of the
trail. the ape-nsn came presently to
point where he could look down in
comparative szfety upon the fighters
First one and then the other would
partially raise himself above his
breastwork OF horsefesh. fire his
weapon and Immediately drop fiat be
hind his shelter, where he would re-
load and repeat the act a moment
later.
werper had fred all but single
cartridge, wbea, during lull in the
lighting. he called aloud 10 his oppo-
nent-
~Achmet ZEE, he cried. Allah alone
knows which ole Of Is may leave our
bones 70 rot where he lies upon this
! trail today # We keep I'd our foolish
battle. You wish the contents Of the
pouch l wear about my waist. and
wish my life and my liberty even more
than ! DO he jewels. Let US each.
then, take that which he most desires
and 20 our separate ways in peace. l
viii lay the Touch upon the carcass Of
my horse. vAere you may see il, and
you, in turn. viii lay your gun upon
your horse. With butt toward me. Then
will 20 away, leaving the pouch 10
you. and you viii let me go in safety.
want Only ny life. and my freedom"
The arab thought in silence for
moment. Then he spoke His reply
was Influenced by the fact that he had
expended his last shot
Go your way. then" he growled.
.leaving the pouch in plain sight be-
hind you. See, / lay my gun thus
with the butt toward you Co."
Regretfully Werper laid the pouch.
lis contents undisturbed, upon the
body OF his horse. rose, and taking his
rife with him. backed slowly down the
trail until & turn hid him from the
view OF the watchfui Arab.
But Achmet Eek was no cool 10 ex-
pose himself TO the blackened honor
Of thief and a murderer. Taking his
long gun with him. he left the trail, en-
tering the rank and tangled vegetation
which walled 1t, and crawling slowly
forward on hands and knees he paral
leled the trail; but never for an in
slant was his body exposed 10 the rife
OF the hidden assassin
I Thus Achmet Zek advanced until he
had come opposite the dead horse Of
/ his enemy. The pouch lay there in
/ full view. while a short distance along
the trail Werper waited in growing
I impotence and nervousness. wonder
ing why the Arab did not come to
+ claim his reward.
Presently he saw the nuZzle of a
rife appear suddenly and mysterious
~ a few inches above the pouch. and
before he could realize the cunning
trick that the Arab had played upon
him the sight Of the weapon was
adroitly hooked into the rawhIde
thong which formed the carrying
. strap Of the pouch. and the latter was
drawn quickly from his view into the
dense foliage at the trails side.
There was another who had seen
the pouch and recognized il, who ad
yanced with Achmet Eek. lowering
above him. as silent and as sure as
death itself. and as the Arab. finding
little spot less oyergrown with
bushes than he had yet encountered,
prepared to gloat his eyes upon the
contents Of the pouch. Tarzan paused
/ directly above him. intent upon the
same object.
Wetting his thin lips with his
tongue, Achinet Eek loosened the tie
+ strings which closed the mouth of the
pouch, and cupping one clawlike hand
( poured forth a portion of the contents
I into his palm.
A single look be took at the stones
Z lying in his hand. His eyes narrowed,
curse broke from his lips, and he