Dick Merriwell's Pranks Part 47

Ali Beha remained pa.s.sive and apparently indifferent while they were talking this matter over.

d.i.c.k turned once more to the chief.

"How far away are our friends?" he asked.

"Beyond the horizon," was the answer.

"You will take us to them?"

The Bedouin bowed.

"I have come to do so," he declared.

"That settles it," laughed Buckhart. "I judge we're ready and willing to go."

The prospect of soon joining Nadia filled the Texan with enthusiasm and relief.

"All right," said d.i.c.k. "We'll soon be ready."

He then turned to the Syrian merchant, whom he thanked for such favors as they had received.

The merchant made a deprecatory gesture and declared that it was nothing, which he well might have done, considering the fact that he had been well paid for those favors.

It did not take our friends long to make arrangements for accompanying the waiting Bedouins.

The people of the train were greatly relieved, and they lost no time in preparing to move onward once more.

As d.i.c.k, Brad, and the professor followed Ali Beha, they looked back and saw the head of the train already in motion, with the camel drivers and their loaded "ships of the desert" falling into line in regular order.

"I certain am plenty glad to abandon camel riding," grinned Brad. "I'd rather ride a pitching cayuse than a hump-backed camel, for a bucker won't buck forever, while a camel does keep up that rocking, swaying, back-breaking movement just as long as he travels. I suppose one might get used to it in time, but I'd rather be excused some."

As they drew near the Bedouins they discovered that the men who had seemed so picturesque at a distance were unkempt and dirty, although none the less fierce on close inspection.

These wild men regarded our friends with an air of curious contempt.

There was nothing of friendliness in their manner.

Arrangements were quickly made for the boys and the professor to mount behind three of the Bedouins. Zenas was a.s.sisted to his seat behind a thin, dirty chap, and told to cling fast to the man by clasping him around the body. This the old pedagogue did, although he made a wry face over it.

d.i.c.k could not wonder at Gunn's repulsion, for he, also, found himself mounted behind an unkempt rascal, whose matted hair and beard looked as if it might be infested, and who gave forth anything but an agreeable odor.

When all were ready, the Bedouins uttered a yell, and, with their chief in advance, went tearing across the barren country.

That was a ride long to be remembered. Mile after mile was covered at high speed by the spirited horses. When the animals bearing double burdens showed signs of flagging, the Bedouins halted and our friends changed to other horses.

The sun grew hot and beat upon them with baking fierceness. The air was dry and their throats parched. The country became wilder and wilder.

Once they saw another camel train in the distance.

At last they entered a hilly region, where there was more vegetation.

Finally, from an elevation, they saw before them a group of black tents, not far from which, in a valley, were some herds.

Straight toward the square black tents rode the Bedouins. As they approached a number of their own people were seen waiting for them.

Buckhart was craning his neck and peering over the shoulder of his companion on horseback, hoping to obtain a glimpse of Nadia; but no female was to be seen about the encampment.

With a yell the desert Nomads swept down to the camp and leaped from their horses, which they immediately turned over to the care of other men.

Professor Gunn was exhausted, and he reeled like an intoxicated man as soon as he stood upon his feet.

d.i.c.k looked around searchingly. Ali Beha appeared before him.

"Where are our friends?" impatiently asked the boy.

"Peace," said the chief. "Thou should not be impatient. Before thou canst see them it is necessary that thou shouldst be searched for hidden weapons."

Merriwell took a step forward, a.s.sailed by sudden forebodings and suspicions. He saw the fierce-looking men gathered close about them, each with weapons ready for use.

Buckhart, also, was startled and aroused. He pressed to d.i.c.k's side, hissing:

"Something crooked, pard! I'm afraid we're trapped!"

"Why should we be disarmed?" demanded d.i.c.k. "We are harmless and--"

"It is the rule," said Ali Beha grimly. "No one not of our people shall be permitted to carry arms while among us. There can be no exception for thee."

"It sure is a trap!" whispered the Texan. "If we give up our arms, we're goners!"

d.i.c.k thought swiftly, and he decided at once that resistance was folly.

Were they to attempt it, they would be crushed, perhaps murdered, in a twinkling.

"We're in your hands, Ali Beha," he said. "We have trusted you, and we must continue to do so."

Immediately our friends were searched by the Bedouins and deprived of their weapons.

Ali Beha stood with folded arms and watched.

The professor made no remonstrance, but on his face there was a look of helpless despair that was pitiful to see.

Buckhart was pale, his lips pressed together and his jaw squared.

d.i.c.k's dark eyes flashed and his nostrils dilated. Although he submitted without another word of protest, there were resentment and anger in his pose.

"It is well," said the chief.

"Now, where are our friends?" cried Merriwell suddenly. "We wish to see them. Have you deceived us?"

"Thou shalt see that I have not. The friend who sent for thee is in yonder tent. He is waiting to greet thee. Enter."

The chief made a sweeping gesture toward one of the larger tents.