THE voice of the leader giving the order to halt had scarcely died away than there arose a babel of sound; men called, shrieked and cursed, while women's voices rang out shrilly, and camels whined and screamed. It was a great caravan; as the torches were kindled I counted by their light fifteen pack camels, and fully fifty saddle camels, while the litters of the women looked strangely picturesque in the flickering light.

Although I was getting used to the East, I had never seen such an interesting and strange picture as I now looked upon, its effect undoubtedly heightened by the consciousness that the scene would so soon be turned into bloody battle-field.

As I watched, some of the men came forward to uncover the spring, led by a man whom I at first took for Ibn Asl himself. When the stone was raised and the water discovered to be as low as it naturally was after our "Asaker" and camels had drunk from it, this man uttered a frightful curse, and exclaimed: "There is scarcely two feet of water! The rain devil has turned it into another course! A thousand curses on these women, who must have what little there is, if we would keep them fresh for the market."

"Perhaps it will flow in again," suggested one of the men.

"Of that I am quite aware, you son and grandson of all wisdom! But how long shall we wait for it?

"Forgive me! In any case we must wait till morning for the others, and they will bring water from Bir Murat with them."

"To which you are welcome, if you like the flavor! We will bring the women here to drink, that not one drop be lost. How is it with that girl; will she obey to-day?"

For answer the other called loudly: "Marba! Marba!" and as he did so turned his head so that I saw his face plainly, and it was so superhumanly ugly that I mentally dubbed him "the monster" on the spot.

All eyes were turned toward the women's tents, but the one summoned did not appear.

"Marba!" "the monster" called again, but with the same lack of result.

The leader made a sign and two of his followers disappeared under one of the tents and brought out a young girl, dragging her before the leader. Marba -- for it was she -- was sixteen years old, and very beautiful, fully bearing out the reputation of her tribe for the beauty of its women. She was barefoot; her body wrapped in a dark garment, like a caftan, and her dark hair hung in two long, thick braids down her back. Her gaze was fixed and immovable; she stared blankly at the leader with her dark eyes; "the monster" she did not glance at.

Pointing to the latter, the leader said: "Thou hast insulted him, and shalt atone for it. Kiss him!"

The girl did not move so much as an eyelash "Obey," shouted the leader, "or else -- " He snatched the whip from his girdle and waved it threateningly. Still she stood like a bronze image, drawn up disdainfully to her full height. The brute strode up to her, seized her, brought the whip down on her shoulders, and repeated his demand. She received the cruel blow without a motion.

"Beat her till she does obey!" shrieked "the monster," furious as he sprang at her.

"Only Ibn Asl may do that," said the other, holding him back. "Wait till to-morrow when he comes! She shall feel then the consequences of defying me!" He gave the girl a few more strokes, and then he and "the monster" resumed their seats on the sand, while Marba slowly walked back to her tent, behind the curtains of which she disappeared.

The blood was nearly bursting from my nails, I had pressed them so hard into my flesh as I watched this scene, powerless to rush out and rescue the beautiful girl from her persecutors. I had heard enough to know that to-night must be done what we had to do, for Ibn Asl, and others not yet come from Bir Murat, would be here in the course of the next day. Slipping from my place I rejoined my companions, comforting myself for my inability to save Marba this last outrage by the thought that it should indeed be the last one.

I had formed my plan, and taking the lieutenant, the "Onbaschi" and Ben Nil aside, I unfolded it to them. The Bedouins, unlike the American Indians, to whom I owed so much of my ability in this sort of strife, lay aside their arms when they lie down to rest. Counting on this, I meant to take Ben Nil, creep up to the tent of the leader and capture him while he slept. The "Asaker" were to be ready to rush out on hearing my signal, which was to be the cry of the vulture, and surround the camp on both sides; until they heard this cry they were to lie motionless and still in the ravine.

"And if you are captured and cannot give the sign, Effendi?" suggested the lieutenant, anxiously.

"If you do not hear the cry before the Southern Cross has

set you will know that I am captured, and you will come out, attack the camp and rescue me. And one thing more: If you hear three sharp shots in quick succession, then I am in danger and you must hasten to the rescue. But I feel sure that we shall succeed, so now farewell. Come, Ben Nil."

The night was still; weary men and camels alike were sleeping as Ben Nil and I crept silently up to the enemy's tents. The first thing was to determine which of the tents was the one in which the captives slept, for it was necessary to warn them of what we were about to attempt, else in the confusion of the attack they might hinder instead of helping us. We had to break through the circle of the camp, and after a brief search discovered a point at which this was possible, fortunately near the tent which I had seen Marba, the daughter of the Fessarah Sheik, enter. The captors must have felt perfectly secure, for they slept like dormice.

I got through without misadventure, leaving Ben Nil outside the circle to wait my return. I fully expected to find a guard before each tent, but even this precaution was omitted.

The mat which hung before the door was dropped; I pushed it aside and crept in. The tent seemed full of sleepers, judging from the heavy sound of breathing, but a sigh, often repeated, and restless movements from one corner told me that there was one whose heart was too heavy for slumber, and I guessed that the Sheik's daughter was suffering so keenly from her recent abuse that it was she who tossed restlessly from side to side.

"Marba!" I whispered softly. No one answered till I had repeated the whisper several times, then a voice barely breathed: "Who calls?"

"One who brings you freedom. Come to me; I must speak to you."

"Freedom !" she gasped. "O Allah, Allah, who are you ?"

"Fear not; I am not one of the slave-traders. I am a stranger, and I have made my way into the camp to tell you that by daybreak you shall be free."

"That is a lie. Here in this Wadi there is none but our persecutors; there is none to pity us."

"I speak the truth, as you shall see."

"If it is true, then swear it by the beard of the Prophet."

"That would be a foolish and vain oath, for I am a Christian."

"Christian? Allah! Can you be the stranger Effendi, who alone conquered Malef and his men, and took away their prisoners beyond Bir Murat?"

"Yes, I am he."

"Then do I believe thee. Wait, I'll come, I'll come."

I heard a quick movement in the direction of the voice, a hurried whisper, then answers. Marba was waking her companions. In a moment a hand touched my sleeve and Marba whispered, with a sob in her voice: "Oh, has my father sent thee?"

"No; we have come by the order of the khedive, through the Reis Effendina."

"They did not know that I heard them, but yesterday a fakir, with a Turk called EL Ukkazi, came to our camp beyond Bir Murat and warned our leader, Ben Kasawi, that a man called the Reis Effendina had sent out his lieutenant and 'Asaker' under a foreign Effendi, but I could not understand what they were sent to do. I only understood that they feared and hated thee."

"So you consider me a wicked man?"

"Ah, no, Effendi; when such as they speak evil of a man it is greatly in his favor."

"That is well said, Marba. And now be prepared for what is to follow. I am going to make the attack and rescue you as soon as possible. When you hear the scrimmage, if there be one, and I fail in my plan to conquer these wretches by cunning, you will know what is going forward. Keep yourselves out of harm's way till the day is won, but if you are forced to act, remember which are your friends and help them if you can. This is what I came to say; so now farewell for a little while, and pray your God and mine for our success."

"One moment, Effendi; thou hast spoken of overcoming them by cunning. Are these brutes not to be killed, then?"

"No; they are to be delivered up to the Reis Effendina for justice."

"And are we not to be avenged, even on Ben Kasawi and the hideous beast who is next to him in command?"

"Not now; they will be punished by the law. We Christians do not believe in revenge."

"It is well that we are not Christians, Effendi; thy laws are not our laws, and justice is far-off. May Allah go with thee and deliver up our enemies into thy hands. Thou art an unbeliever, but thou wilt rescue us from these hypocrites who call themselves sons of the Prophet; let Allah judge between thee. Farewell."

I crept away, little understanding the meaning of this last speech. Ben Nil was waiting where I had left him, in a fever of impatience, and together we set out to crawl around the outside of the camp and attempt the first part of our plan, which was to capture the leader, whom Marba had called Ben Kasawi, and his aid, "the monster," and carry them off.

Once more I found point at which I could enter the circle of tents, and again I left Ben Nil without while I crept up to the particular tent which I had noted as Ben Kasawi's. As I came around at the back I heard voices talking, not loudly, yet not with any indications of fear of being overheard. It was Ben Kasawi and his "monster," and I was obliged to change the order of exercises on which I had determined in the expectation of finding them asleep. They were talking of me, and the likelihood of my success in carrying out the commands of the Reis Effendina; the terms in which they spoke of me were uncomplimentary enough to make me particularly enjoy the course their wakefulness compelled me to pursue. Both these fellows must be knocked senseless, and I made ready to put forth the strength of my right arm, which had earned for me among the Apaches the name of Old Shatterhand.

I lay in such position that either must come toward me if he moved, keeping close to the ground. Ben Kasawi rose, came over to the side of the tent where I was, and chanced to drop his eyes at the wrong moment.

"Who is this?" he cried as he spied me. "There is something here. It seems to be --"

He got no further. As he spoke he had bent down to see me better, and this was such a fortunate position for me that I immediately availed myself of it. Before he could know what happened he got a blow that doubled him up like a jackknife. The next moment I was on my feet and had his companion by the throat. There was a brief, silent struggle, then I got my right arm free and patted my friend, "the monster," on the head so decidedly that he took a nap on the spot. Putting my hands to my lips I trilled "krrraaaa-rr," not loudly, yet so clearly that it could

be heard at some distance. It sounded precisely like the vulture when half aroused from sleep, and was the signal for the lieutenant and the old "Onbaschi" to bring up the "Asaker" to surround the camp. Ben Nil, hearing the signal, rushed into the tent, as we had agreed.

"Are you strong enough to carry a man?" I asked.

"If he isn't quite a giant. Where is he?" asked my plucky little follower.

"There are two; take this fellow, and follow me."

I took Ben Kasawi and went ahead, Ben Nil coming after with "the monster." We went directly to the place where the lieutenant must first appear, and laid our burdens down. It was but a few moments before the other two appeared, followed by the "Asaker." Without losing a moment I addressed them, speaking very softly, so that those on the outer edge of the circle we had formed had to have my words repeated to them. I said: "These two prisoners whom we have here are bound and gagged; they are unconscious, but will not remain so long. One of you must guard them, and I give him permission to kill them if they attempt to get away. The rest must follow me into the enemy's camp. There is a rock to which I will lead you where they have stacked all their arms. We are going to creep there, noiselessly and in single file, steal away their guns, and return here. Ben Nil is to come after me, then the lieutenant; after us the 'Asaker,' each two feet behind his predecessor. You will all do precisely as I do, rising when I do, crawling when I do. Only a noise can make us fail, so let it be the duty of each man to avoid the slightest rustle. Now, then: forward!"

Our Indian-like march began, and it would have been impossible for any body of men to carry out their instructions more faithfully than did my "Asaker." When we

were fifty feet from the rock I lay down and crept slowly, softly up to the rock, Ben Nil and the rest doing likewise in their appointed places. At last I came to the place where the guns lay. I seized one, handed it to Ben Nil; then another, and so on till the last gun of the pile was in our hands. Then we turned, and in reverse order, I coming last of all, crept back to our prisoners.

We found them just regaining consciousness. I took the gag out of Ben Kasawi's mouth, and setting my knife at his breast, said: "Not a loud word, or you are a dead man. I have brought away all your arms; your men can do nothing to save you. You are in my power."

The wretch turned white to his lips; he was as frightened as a cowardly bully who beat a woman would naturally be in the face of danger. "Effendi, spare me! I will give you all the slaves!" he cried.

"They are not yours to give," I replied. "I came to set them free, and they are freed. But I am anxious to avoid bloodshed; if you will do as I desire you shall not die, but shall be delivered over to the Reis Effendina for judgment."

His whole face brightened, for he well knew the delay and uncertainty of Egyptian justice. "Speak; your will is mine," he said.

"Command your men to yield themselves our prisoners, as they must do in any case, without resistance, and I pledge you my word I will have none of you executed."

"It shall be done; send one of your followers to call them forth," he said.

Ten of the "Asaker" went over near the camp, and putting their hands to their lips, cried: "Rada! Men, awake! Come forth!"

The entire camp aroused into sudden activity. The men of the slave caravan came out of their tents, and at the

same time the Fessarah women appeared, unveiled, with their long hair streaming as they marched toward us chanting a wild psalm of triumph.

When the men had come up with us in obedience to their leader's summons, in a few bitter words he explained to them that they were in my power, and he had agreed to yield them up prisoners on my promise that they should be taken to the Reis for judgement. Then he added a few rapid words in a dialect that I did not understand. "Effendi," whispered Ben Nil hurriedly, "he has bidden some of them escape to warn Ibn Asl not to come this way."

"If one moves from this spot he is a cripple; I will shoot him!" I shouted. An instant later I saw a movement in the rear line of men and heard a shout of warning. A man was running at top speed toward the rocks. My shot whistled after him, and he dropped with a howl of pain as the bullet shattered the bone of his leg. Still undeterred by his fate another attempted to escape, and I crippled him, and yet another with like result. After this the man who was apparently the "Onbaschi" of the band turned to me with a snarl of hatred like a mad dog's. "Effendi, you have taken away our arms," he said, "and we are in your power. But do not imagine that we shall be killed; no judge in Egypt will thus delight you, and though to-day is yours, our turn will come."

At this moment a howl arose which could come from no other than Selim, the bold. "Effendi, Effendi! A man has knocked me down and escaped," he cried.

"You unutterable idiot, why didn't you shoot him?" I yelled, rushing after the fugitive, who was already out of my range. And as I ran I heard Marba cry out wonderingly: "Selim el Fallah, el Oschabani -- Selim the outcast, the

coward! He was driven front the tribe of Fessarah for his cowardice! Effendi, how came such a man with you?"

The fugitive had much too long a start for me to catch up with him, and the ravine afforded him so many hiding places that it was only too easy for him to escape. When I found that there was no hope of capturing him I returned in a fury of rage against Selim, through whose stupidity I knew too well that we should never catch Ibn Asl on the morrow, for the man who had escaped was certainly gone to warn him of his danger.

As I came upon the scene of our recent triumph the first thing that met my eyes was the bodies of Ben Kasawi and his hideous comrade pierced with a knife and quite dead. Our "Asaker" stood keeping at bay their followers, from whom rose a murmur of curses and hatred. My eyes sought Marba for the explanation of the tragedy. There the girl stood proud and motionless, the fatal knife still in her hands.

"Yes, it was I who did this thing, Effendi," she said "You had told me that they were to be delivered to the Reis and we know too well what Egyptian justice is. Punish me if you will. He had struck me, and the stripes could only be washed away in his blood. I leave the others to you; these two were mine. Ask my people, ask your 'Asaker,' whether I have done right! I repeat: punish me if you will." She offered me the knife; I waved it away with repugnance. "Whose is it?" I asked.

"Mine," said Ben Nil.

"Did she steal it from you?"

"No, she asked for it, and told me for what she asked it, and I gave it to her freely, for she has fulfilled the law of the desert. They have deserved death a hundred times, but the most the law would have given them was the bas-

tinado. It is good for a people to have its own laws; Effendi, respect ours. But if you punish Marba, punish me also, for I have had a share in the blood of these criminals." He went over and stood by the maiden, as if to shield her.

I stood silent, considering for a few moments, while the slave-dealers' men murmured and called on me to avenge the murder. I could not help seeing that the effect of' this act on the others would be good, and that the punishment so richly deserved would not have been administered by the law. Besides, in the eyes of these people it was not a murder, but simple justice according to their code, and what right had I to impose on them the laws of a civilization which they had not attained? And, most of all, I was influenced by the fact that it would be most unwise to antagonize my "Asaker" when so much remained to be done, and I must keep them under my control till these women were returned to their land.

So at last I said: "I will leave the decision as to your guilt in Allah's hand. He must judge you, for it is beyond my power. I will believe that you have done what you considered right; you are forgiven."

The women's voices rose in a shrill shout of jubilation, broken by the dull growl of menace from the followers of the dead men. The lieutenant had been watching this scene with a most gloomy face, and now he came to me and said low: "Effendi, I would rather face ten hungry lions than conduct these female devils across the desert. Let us divide our duties; you take charge of the slaves, and I will bring our prisoners to the Reis Effendina."

"Why," I said, laughing, "these women are not devils. I would willingly lead them anywhere. Be sure that as they have required the lives of these beasts who so wronged

them, they would cheerfully lay down their own for us who have saved them."

"Maybe," said the lieutenant dubiously, "but I don't like the prospect. Take them to their fathers and husbands, Effendi, and let me have charge of men, for these long haired, chanting, big-eyed beauties give me chills every time I look at them."

"So be it," I laughed. "It is better that we divide our work in any case. Give me twenty 'Asaker' and I will convoy these weak, but awful, creatures to the Fessarah and receive the blessing which you are afraid to share. But one thing I ask of you in return: take Selim with you, for I can stand him no more, nor if, as Marba said, he was expelled from his tribe for cowardice, would the journey be agreeable to him."

So thus it was arranged. We buried the leader of the cruel band in the sand, loaded our pack camels, according to the division we had made, and when the sun was high the lieutenant and I parted with much good will on both sides.

The women were delighted that I was to conduct them to their homes, and we started with happy hearts on our journey. Ben Nil, of course, went with me, and the last words I heard as my camel swung off in his easy gait were from Selim. "Effendi," he said, "I will await thee at Khartum. The Beni Fessarah are not worthy to have such a renowned warrior as I am to visit them. But my protection shall not fail thee, for I will pray to the Prophet that he will take care of thee, and reunite us in a day on which our joy shall know no bounds."

Contents

Introduction