"
"But where, in God's name, are the troops?"
"Unless thou knowest let another man ride. Dost thou know? Remember it will be
life or death to thee."
"I know," said the driver, sullenly. "Stand back from my beast. I am going to
slip him."
"Not so swiftly. George, hold the camel's head a moment. I want to feel his
cheek." The hands wandered over the hide till they found the branded half-
circle that is the mark of the Biharin, the light-built riding-camel.
"That is well. Cut this one loose. Remember no blessing of God comes on those
who try to cheat the blind."
The men chuckled by the fires at the camel-driver's discomfiture. He had
intended to substitute a slow, saddle-galled baggage-colt.
"Stand back!" one shouted, lashing the Biharin under the belly with a quirt.
Dick obeyed as soon as he felt the nose-string tighten in his hand,--and a cry
went up, "Illaha! Aho! He is loose."
With a roar and a grunt the Biharin rose to his feet and plunged forward toward
the desert, his driver following with shouts and lamentation.
George caught Dick's arm and hurried him stumbling and tripping past a
disgusted sentry who was used to stampeding camels.
"What's the row now?" he cried.
"Every stitch of my kit on that blasted dromedary," Dick answered, after the
manner of a common soldier.
Pages:
1125
1126
1127
1128
1129
1130
1131
1132
1133
1134
1135
1136
1137
1138
1139
1140
1141
1142
1143
1144
1145
1146
1147
1148
1149