Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-24
CHAPTER XVIII.
DAGGER JOINS A CARAVAN.

the very next day. A messen-
ger appeared at her hotel, ana
- delivered this cryptic message
in broken French: "Abdul-el.
Bedowi, the swordsmith, SENDS WORD
that the blade the Lalla requested VIII
not be ready until the chehere next
coming"
Plainly, whatever preparations he had
to make would require this much time,
and Dagger set herself to find enter
tainment and diversion for its duration.
Being restless, she soon exhausted the
| attractions of Algiers, and Journeyeo
hither and thither at will, choosing ner
direction arbitrarily in accordance with
what she was told she might expect In
certain places.
she whiled away the interval as best
she could, visiting corners that had es-
capped her, playing bridge with success
which drew attention she disliked, writ
ing long letter to Uncle Jim, VINO hao
cabled petulantly inquiring when she
planned to come home.
Don't hold it against me, dear" she
wrote to the old man, but perhaps 1
won't ever come back. I have an itch
for the out trail. want TO see All tnefe
is to be seen, live the dreams dreamed
on the range. You'd Like this country.
It's not so unlike Texas, except there's
so little growth on the desert The
horses aren't bad, small, but powerful.
And the men are fine, first-rate fighters,
and honest after their own fashion. l
expect to know q few sheikhs before
continue East. Don't worry, though.
Your Dagger is as quick on the trigger
as ever-I popped over gazeIle at oV
yards week ago"
Finally one day a hotel servant came
to her with the announcement that an
Arab waited below for her. The Sid1,
himself, she saw at a glance; but ne
was dressed more mearlly, in common
haik and q burnous burned almost
brown by the sun. He bowed to her be-
fore she could speak.
THAT which the swordsmith prepared
is waiting Lalla Mezrag," he said. will
1t please you to prepare for Journey"
But what do I bring?" she asked.
"All that you will. You have maid?"
eyes"
He stroked his beard refiectively, heed
by passing guests.
"She is trustworthy? An, then, bid
her Journey on to Alexandria with what
you do not require for rough travelling
--breeches, boots, womens garments for
the tents. But remember that over must
go burnous and haik, for it Is not well
to invite attention to a Roumt Journey
ing into the desert"
"And when shall be ready?"
Tomorrow, at this hour, be at the
first turn beyond the Benz Mansour
road. Salan Aleikouml"
The remainder of that day Dagger
spent In feverish preparation. Her maid
must be provided for, money obtained,
instructions left for her mail. a scanty
wardrobe selected-scanty, for she was
determined to travel light. One of the
knives she had purchased from the
Swordsmith she hung by looped sheath
| from the belt of her automatic: breeches
and boots were easily assembled; under
clothing she selected with an eye to
durability OF fabric.
And aside from this she burdened her
self with no more than couple Of
dresses, with shoes and stockings to
match. The stout bags in which she
packed her gear wouldn't have burdened
single camel. A few parting instruc-
lions to her maid, who was disposed to
be teary and perturbed, and yielded re-
luctantly to her mistress instructions
to maintain silence, and Dagger was
ready. Nothing remaining to occupy
her, but the need for rest.
A motor conveyed her to the spot
the Sid had designated next morning
and she bade the driver set her down
ana the absence OF any sign OF a cara
van. There were no houses very near,
merely farm on the hillside, q huddle
Of roofs up a wadi.
The morning was very still: Algiers
disseminated none of the roar and bus
tie Of Western city, the distant boot
ing Of train was dulled to an animal
ike sound. Dagger was wholly delight
ed, confident: And she had her reward
when presently the ugly head of a camel
bobbed down the wadi from the direc-
ton OF the village, and a string Of the
clumsy beasts came into view, riders
swaying to their pace.
The leader halted beside her, q grave
smile showing through his white beard.
You are punctual, Lalla," said the
Sid, sliding from his saddle. do you
think you can stand the pace of the
dJemel? 1t is not as the horses"
Il have tried it." Dagger answered
eagerly. II don't think 1 shall hinder
you"
His smile broadened.
Good! This is your beast-Fatima.
For a camel she is kindly. Your lug
gage my people will bestoW elsewhere"
He called an order in Arabic, and the
camel Fatima was hidden to kneel,
which she did granting and protesting
her bubbling groans increasing as Dag
ger climbed into the saddle and adjusted
her legs The Sidi drew a haik and
burnous similar to his own from a
thong on his saddle-bow, and draped
them around her, with brief word of
apology
II the garments seem hot &C first.
Lana, soon you will find that their
thickness also sheds the heat" he ad-
vtsed her. you are con1fortable2 let
US start. We have far to GO"
Long before night obScured the rugged
seacoast, along which the caravan
plodded sigzag TRAIL Dagger's bones
ached and her muscles tornented her.
but she never exhibited her FEELINGS
and when the evening malt was called
contrived to slip down from her beast
unaided, and limp to the tent prensrsd
for her The Sid hirasnlf 800 - -.