Argosy, Vol. 119, No. 2 — page 55: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

ALI’S REVENGE—AND ALLAW’S. ) 205 - walk. Ali struck her again and again about the head. ‘Thou art a dog,” he screamed, “ and no horse!” She threw up her head and _ galloped wildly while he kept the staff drumming on her flanks. The broad camel track had dwindled by now; it split in two, and the rider pulled up. The mare dropped her head to her knees, and stood. with her fore feet wide apart. The sun had passed the meridian; it was that hour in the desert when man and beast take rest in whatever shade there is at hand. Ali looked at the two paths, took the pearl from-his pouch, and said: ‘‘ Thou hast never failed me yet.” He held it so that the blinding sun fell on it, and saw for a time nothing but the opalescent rush of color. “Show me where,” he whimpered— show me where they are!” A tiny picture formed itself under his eyes—a black dot first, and then from it came a faithful picture, very small and very dim, of a camel and two figures upon it. “ Aye,” groaned Ali, “‘ but where?” - Still holding the pearl to the sun, he turned into that path which led to the right; the picture shifted into the pearl until it was almost lost; he turned back into the path which led to the left, and the tiny camel stood full in the middle of the gem. ‘Allah hath spoken!” cried. the man, 4 and struck the horse again. She struggled - to keep the swift gallop, but faltered more and more frequently while her rider beat her until his arm was numb. The fine nostrils showed a touch of red; her eyes rolled from side to side; and the chestnut sides grew black with sweat. Ali cursed. At sundown she stumbled to her knees and did not rise. Ali rolled from the sad- dle to the ground, lay for a time inert, then staggered dizzily to his feet. The mare turned her head to him and groaned. Ali tried to mount again; his hand touched the water-skin. He tore it from the saddle and drank deeply. At the touch of water, hot as it was, his brain cleared. “ Softly,” he said; “no horse, no re- venge.”’ He filled his cap with water and held it for the horse to drink. She sucked up the water, and he filled his cap again. The faithful beast struggled to her feet and plodded through the sand. Ali tried to walk by her side, but the sand burned through his shoes and the rocks cut his feet. The stars came out and a small moon. A shadow followed alongside the two—the slim-legged horse and the bulky man on her back. Cisse to midnight the mare put up her head, whinnied, and broke into a trot. Ahead a them a Star burned shes the sur- face of the desert—a dim star shining in a pool of water scarcely larger than the saddle, -a patch so foul that it stank. Man. | and horse drank; Ali dropped the bundle of forage before the horse. She nibbled at It; stretched herself out on the sand, and drew long breaths. Ali could not rest long; always the red vision of his revenge danced before his eyes. Walking about the mare, he was suddenly aware of a single camel track that stretched ahead of him. He did not doubt that it was the track of his prey; he kicked the mare-in the side, and she struggled to her feet. He mounted, and the two Be on through the sand. An hour past dawn he came upon them. He topped a small rise, and almost. at his feet saw the two sitting with their bag- gage made ready for the day. At sight of — the horse the gray Oman camel threw up its head and ambled a few steps, but Kah- leel and Mirza, sitting with their backs to him, did not see Ali Hassan as he slid from his horse and crept up to them. | CHAPTER V. THE RAT DINES. is ANP what shalt thou call me,” said the girl, ‘““ when J am thy wife?’ ‘I shall call thee Ali’s pearl,” laughed Kahleel; ‘“ for it was by means - that that I came to thee.”’ ~The girl shuddered. f What a pig! Sawest thou ever such a fat one?” | ‘““T never saw such a fat-witted one,” (@ Eomicbooks.co