The Daily Alaska empire., 1933-03-23

mery.
 Have you seen no cloud of dus on the horizon every now and then and from almost every direction? asked Tant de Soif. Haven't vol seen looking riders, il twos and threes, suddenly appeaI above a sand-dune and quickly dis appear? Haven't you seen a soli' tary horseman, sitting like a gray. en image, on a racing camel, a dawn of every day since we lef the post?"
 No, I haven't" stated Pert Poussin.
 No? Well, you should marcf with your eyes open, instead O staggering along half asleep, ben double and with your eyes on tht ground-as though you were look. ing for your lost innocence"
 Oh, shut up, you old wind-bag.
 You leaky wine-skin, be quiet.
 "All the same-I don't like it, persisted Tant de Soif
 Go and tell the Major you don' and let us sleep"
 A sudden cry from a sentry who extends a pointing arm.
 A blast from his whistle. =. A shouted order.
 In less than a minute the strag- gling, sprawling, recumbent column is in position, preparing to receive cavalry or anything else.
 A whirlwind, consisting of buff white, brown and gray camels rid den by yelling, rifle -brandishing men in flowing and flutterins white clothing, sweeps down upor the bayonet-bristling double rank on the flank of which Major Ric- coli sits, cool and steady on his horse.
 Wait for us" he cries, as a few rifles are raised from the ready 10 the present.
 It was a wild fierce charge, and if the tribesmen come on, the men must be swept away, stamped flat
 The strain is terrible. The in- stinct of self-preservation strong.
 A man throws his rifle up to his shoulder-and a sergeant kicks him 50 violently from behind that he almost falls.
 "Steady-you wretched recruit, he growls. Wait for it."
 This is madness" observes Tant de Soif as the avalanche surges down upon the thin khaki line.
 But there is method in Major Riccoli's madness.
 Suddenly, a man who ha. throughout kept ahead of the chars ing horde, throws up his hand and instantly the company divide. Iand wheels, one half to the left the other to the right, and in- stead of overwhelming the soldier. and tramping them into sand, out Hanks them on either wing, sur. lrounds and envelops them. The leader rides up to Major Ri ccoli, laughs and salutes in semi military fashion.
 Good morning, Major" says he lin excellent French. You were expecting us?"
 T was, Prince Raisul," he re. plies. My men were not. You have thus already seen some. thing of their steadiness and dis. |ciplne."
 Yes, I am glad that neither you nor any man of yours was shot One may observe that you took . |risk," Prince Raisul.o
 "Oh, I like taking risks, don't you?. I too am glad for youl |-our-sakes that no one wa. shot. ."
 From that hour the military mission" was undoubtedly shep. herded as Tant de Soif had said or escorted as Raisul said, on the remainder of it's roundabout be- cause no one whosover was allowed to approach France-defying, Spain. defying, Europe -defying Mekazzen by the direct and secret route through oasis and mountain pass terrible because of the incredible heat, lack of water and looseness |of the soft and shifting sands.
 And one morning, day or two later, the red tired eyes of the weary marchers were gladdened by the sight, upon the far horizon of the minarets and domes of the city of Mekazzen, rising from a sea |of palms that appeared in the shimmering light to flow about the base of the mighty cliff of rock on the summit of which was perched the great citadel Castle oi Mekazzen, impregnible, inviolate virgin even to that day.
 The Legion finds an amazing
 situation, tomorrow in Mekaz-