CHAPTER VII.
ON THE JOURNEY.
The sun had not yet risen in the east when the three friends arose. Jack prepared a hasty breakfast, after which he fared forth to see about obtaining camels for the journey. He was successful in his quest, and the edge of the sun creeping over the horizon could just be seen when they prepared to mount.
Frank climbed upon the kneeling camel with no little trepidation.
“I don’t know anything about camel riding,” he called to the others.
“Just hold tight when he gets up and you will be all right,” replied Jack.
Frank took a firm hold in accordance with instructions, and it was well that he did so, for otherwise he would have been sent tumbling over the animal’s head.
The camel rose on its hind feet first, and Frank was hurled forward on his back. Just as he succeeded in grasping the camel about the neck, the animal lifted his front feet and Frank went hurling back again. Only his tight hold saved him from being thrown.
“Great Scott!” he ejaculated. “This is worse than a sea voyage.”
“You are all right now,” called Hetherington from the back of his own camel.
“You will soon get used to it,” declared Jack. “Come, follow me,” and he headed his camel toward the west.
All morning they rode along without interruption. Several times they passed riders going in the opposite direction, but they did not halt. At noon they stopped in a little grove of trees, where they ate of the provisions Jack had packed on the camels and quenched their thirst from a tiny and sparkling stream. Then they continued their journey.
Darkness had fallen when they made out in the distance the little town of Nalut. The camels now quickened their pace and the little cavalcade was soon within the city.
“The first thing to do,” said Hetherington, “is to find a place to put up for the night.”
“I know of a place I believe we can find shelter,” said Jack, leading the way.
Presently they came upon a fairly large house near the center of the town. Jack went up to the door and knocked loudly. An old man, with snowy white hair, answered the knock.
“Jack,” he cried in English, when he caught sight of the lad in the doorway. “What are you doing here?”
“I came with a couple of friends,” Jack replied, “and we are looking for a place to spend the night. Can you accommodate us?”
“Certainly,” was the reply. “Come right in.”
The three entered the house and followed the old man to what appeared a small dining-room. There their host left them, saying that he would have something to eat brought them.
“He’s about the only white man in the town,” Jack explained. “He has lived here for many years. As you see, his house is unlike the native dwellings. He keeps up European customs as well as he can.”
Soon the old man returned, followed by a native servant, bearing food. The three ate hungrily, and immediately their appetites were satisfied followed the old man upstairs, where he showed them a couple of cots. They turned in immediately and soon were fast asleep.
“Where are you to meet your companions?” Frank asked the secret agent, when they had breakfasted the next morning.
“No particular spot was designated,” was the reply. “I was told to meet them in this town, that’s all. I suppose I shall run into them in the street some place.”
The three walked about the streets all morning, and were just about to return to the house where they had spent the night, when a white man in yachting costume approached.
Hetherington rushed up to him with outstretched hand. Frank and Jack stood back.
Hetherington and the stranger remained in conversation for some moments, and then approached the two lads.
“This is Lieutenant Edwards,” introduced Hetherington. “Lieutenant, Frank Chadwick and Jack Templeton.”
“Pleased to meet you, I’m sure,” greeted the lieutenant, extending a hand, which both boys grasped in turn. “Hetherington has told me of what assistance you have been to him. Let me add my thanks to his.”
“Where are Lord Hastings and the rest of the party?” demanded Hetherington of the lieutenant.
The lieutenant glanced at the boys quickly, a question in his eyes. Hetherington noted the look.
“Oh, they are all right,” he said.
“Well,” said the lieutenant. “Lord Hastings and Dellaya will be along to-morrow. The others were delayed in some unaccountable manner, so we shall have to work without them; and quickly, too,” he added.
“But the arms and ammunition?” cried Hetherington in alarm.
“Oh, that part is all right. The ship will land the arms and ammunition at a point already selected in the Gulf of Sidra day after to-morrow. Also the money is ready. We must do our part in the meantime.”
“But if Dellaya sees me with the sheik he will know me in a minute,” protested Hetherington.
“I know it; therefore I shall have to play the part of the German officer.”
“But he knows you also.”
“True; but I shall be disguised. I have such a disguise as I am sure he will never penetrate. But I fear that he will know you the moment he lays eyes on you.”
“There is no doubt about that. What shall I do?”
“I guess you will have to remain behind.”
At this moment Jack broke into the conversation.
“Can’t I take his place?” he asked. “He won’t know me, that’s sure.”
“By Jove!” declared Hetherington. “I believe you can. What do you say, Edwards?”
The lieutenant hesitated.
Jack noted his uncertainty.
“I can give a good account of myself if it comes to a fight,” he declared. “Besides, I’m English and should be allowed to do something for my country.”
“Do you speak German?” asked the lieutenant.
“Yes,” replied Jack; “also a few native dialects.”
“I guess I can use you, then,” was the response. “I certainly need someone with me. I have a disguise that will do for you, too, I believe.”
“But how about me?” Frank demanded suddenly. “Don’t I get a part in this thing? It seems to me I should be allowed to take a hand.”
“Well, I won’t need you in this first trick,” declared the lieutenant, “but if I do need you, you can take my word that I shall call on you.”
And with this Frank was forced to be content.
Frank and Jack accompanied the two Englishmen to a place where the lieutenant had stowed a small suitcase. From this the Englishman drew out two suits of clothes, which he and Jack donned hurriedly.
Wearing heavy black beards and spectacles, shoes, hats and clothes of unmistakable German appearance, there was no question that the two would pass for Teutons anywhere.
“Now to find Abu ben Sedar. And in the meantime,” he continued, turning to Frank and Hetherington, “you two make your way to Lord Hastings’ yacht and wait there until I arrive. It would not do for us to be seen together.”
He gave them the directions and the two departed.
“Now for Abu ben Sedar,” said the lieutenant. “We must learn where he can be found.”
Upon inquiry they learned that the Sheik was encamped with many of his followers a few miles from the outskirts of the town.
“Well,” said the lieutenant, “we’ll have to hunt him up. The sooner we find him the better. Now, listen,” turning to Jack, “you say nothing unless I ask a question, and, whatever I say, agree with me. Do you understand?”
Jack nodded his head in the affirmative.
“Good. Now how are we to find the place where the Sheik is encamped, I wonder?”
“I have been here before,” answered Jack. “I know the place well.”
“Come, then; let us go,” said the lieutenant.
The two turned their faces toward the desert and set off at a brisk pace.