Plentywood herald., 1930-02-27
Savaran Mo0nbeam of Pearl
By Douglas NetOton

her gWakenlng. VINO Is this SaVaran?
seem to have heard the name some
where.
~ nobody" snapped Garsali, instinc-
tively getting between Savaran and any
honors "A mere private of our es-
cort
"Ch. low cur of 'scavenger', said
Hama, the frown of a vague memory
leaving his moon face as he put the
earth worm out of his mind.
And that was a mistake
Al that precise moment Savaran was
riding beside the Shugduf of a superb
white camel, splendid in its trapping
Also ne was leaning forward from the
saddle to kiss the tiny. hennaed hand
stretching from the litter towards him.
"The delight of morning with it's
sunlight be on thee. most precious of
women" he said, in his grimly cheer
full way. Even now we approach the
hills that make the gate of Nenussi." 4"
He continued silent for few PAGES,
smiling to himself. Then This dawn
I sent a messenger to Zaid ALI
"Zaid." the soft voice gasped. But
can zaid and his zeb do anything?"
Little enough" he said cheerfully.
without Savaran. But Savaran is
here . and they are the men I
love best. Wild leaderless fighters,
those are the men 1 can mould. Also,
l feel it is time for me to make king
dom again
The sergeant was preening himself
on being a good prophet. 1t seemed
that after all he was the man to handle
Sayaran. Savaran, who had been a
docile yet dumb soldier up to this, was
suddenly goaded into his brilliant self
by the threat among the hills. At
the midday halt he dropped his re-
serve and made suggestions that Gar
sail translated into superb military
gestures.
Moonbeam Of Pearl, her treasure and
household camels were placed in the
center, and before and after her the
ammunition beasts. while her Benz
Seyyid and the most trusted Of Savar-
ans cronies among the Sanitaire acted
as guard over the lot. Garsali, with
the majority of the camels of the SAM
taire led the column. The sergeant
guarding the sheriff of Nenussi and his
beasts, brought up the rear.
The sheriff of Nenussi protested in
/ plump wrath that brigands practically
always attacked at the rear and that
it was not becoming to a man of his
Importance to be the first to encounter
vermin. Garsali said loftily that he
had given orders and they could not
be over-ruled. Savaran, who had given
them to Garsali, grinned. He was not
even displeased when Hanna Ibn KaliC
moved secretly closer to the middle
OF the caravan when it got under way
Hanna was quite right. Yussif Of
the Dagger attacked at the rear. Ane
why not? He had already blocked the
valley ahead
His tribesmen swooped down with
popping guns and yells, as is the Arat
way and, as though worked by single
lever, all the Arabs save Savaran's
dashed to join the dog fight. AS fal
as they counted the center was lef
defenseless, but Arab attackers never
turn from the rear to attack tit Is
probably against the rules.
Savaran, wise in such methods, smiled
his grim smile and held his own SAM.
taire and Beni-Seyyid firm about tht
! SC1ltA al llldoo Will JllC lilCIC QlSLlJll1lt
OF his eagle glance. Also he gave hi!
precise orders.
They were being carried out wher
Garsai came squirting from the front
his medal ribbons bright, his military
intelligence duller than ever.
"They attack the head of the cara.
van," he bleated. They have blocked
the gorge. What shall we do? Wha
are you doing?"
'Extricating my force in good order,
grinned Savaran. "He turned to s
Sanitaire who came squirting up. "Yol
have found the canyon I pointed out OF
the map? Good! Swing this part o.
the caravan with all ammunition cam.
els into it. Post machine guns on tht
spurs to cover the movement"
"But-this means you run away?
gasped Garsai.
"Retreating to a defensive position il
the correct military expression" grinnet
Savaran, and gave more orders.
"But-but you leave the rear and var
to fight the Arabs alone" shouted tn,
sergeant, who had also come up.
Good generalship," said Savaran
"They protect my retirement"
1T is not good" cried Garsali, think
ing of his honors. 1--WE should stant
and beat off these brigands"
GO and beat EN-, then" grinnet
Savaran. mo doubt you know how
Mel recognize there is no hope 0
fighting an overwhelming enemy OF
ground of his own choosing. So In
choosing bit for myself"
Garsali seemed to think he would g
and help him choose it, So did tn
sergeant. So did the Sheriff Ibn Kalio
The latter, after sitting his horse fail
and proudly aloof, spurred furiousl
up and cried pompously. you ar
here to defend me and my propert
and, by Allah, insist upon 1t. I hav
much money on the camels those bri
gands even now surround"
Garsali wrung his hands and bleate
at Savaran: "We must do as he say.
He has power with the authorities.
is ruin for all of lis If we fail him."
IT am not interested" said Savarar
and turned to give orders for the swift
erection of a breastwork across tn
steep throat of the gorge.
The sheriff of Nenussi lost his gran
calm. He foamed at the thought c
his lost money.
Dogs" he shouted "You shall pay
BY Allah, will see to it that you pay
Cowardly jackals-running away fror
your duty, bolting from handful c
~3irtv hill thicvncln