The Raymer enterprise., 1921-01-13


to another world. These. plains and
ridges Of red sand were the husks Of
the planet. Levlngton's eyes ached
with the distances In the glare Of day
sun. Two Of the camels were killed,
to provide sustenance for the others,
and the two men shared with the
beasts.
Now the high winds came In bruIs.
Ing torrent, as II the elements had
turned enemy. and this was their
threat. The beasts gave up. and were
driven Into 4 roarlng gully where the
blast was broken somewhat. 1t whined
and rushed overhead, and began to
bury them with sand.
In this choking confusion the cap.
ture came Qulckly-a brief affair 10
which the white men were too late
with their guns. Riders were down
upon them. an avalanche of feroclty.
The storm had obscured their coming.
On horses demoniac and primal they
had sped down through the sandstorm
rs II II were an April rain. These
were monster men with silvery eyes.
Their boards we're hanging mats Of
sand, their mouths caked with dust.
Close.atting leather helmets enlarged
their heads.
Leather thongs whipped out and
circled Cons drms, and he was help.
less. In moment strong hands were
undressing the white men. The
frightened camels were being driven
away. The strangers worked 10 a
nervous heat. chanting song or prayer.
their voices mingllng with the savage
wind. Everything was taken from the
prisoners, and dagger points were sent
ripping through their garments.
March was shouting. pleading with
rich Offers but he received no reply
only his ruined clothing. Then the re.
malnder Of the party leaped and spur
red their hairy beasts up the slope.
The showering sand hid them again.
Levington's face and shoulders were
numb with the pelting Of little stones.
It was all finished in a moment.
"Are you all right" asked Marsh.
"Yes. They didn't leave anything"
With extreme difficulty the two
travellers stepped into and adjusted
their rags. The map was gone. along
with guns, gold. camels, provisions,
water. and all sense Of direction.
Their eyes were red with pain. The
wind clustered In dry fury. as II the
riders might materialize out Of It q
second time.
"They must have had us In view all
day, perhaps yesterday. or they could
not have found US In this weather" !"
said March, hitehing the remains Of
bis trousers to a bit Of shirt.
"Those horses weren't real" said
Oon. .And how did they get me all
tied up with leather before l could
drawn
They spoke with levity that was not
felt. each hoping by his calmness to
cheer the other. The actual situation
was too plain. Lexington added:
AT least We seem to be In the right
neIghborhood."
I'VE can wait here until we get
straight by the stars" said March. II
maintain that we did fairly well, to
have come this far before they found
u.s."
"Yes."
March pretended not to notice the
trembling Of his voice. Both were
busy with new ways Of assembling
tattered garments. Then Con saw
that his friend was smiling.
Boy" said March, 1--WE may not nnd
much to eat or drink. but we are not
quite done for"
Lexington nodded without compre.
hending. and his companion added: |:
1--WE are not altogether lost"
How Is that7"
For answer, March balanced himself
against Cons shoulder, and lifted up
one foot, as II to look at a bruise,
and busted II carefully. A duplicate
of the map was clearly tatto0ed on
the sole Of his right foot.