wore the uniform of Belgium. For years
the military forces of Belgian Congo had waged a fruitless war upon
this man and his followers--a war in which quarter had never been asked
nor expected by either side.

But presently in the very hatred of the man for Belgians, Werper saw a
faint ray of hope for himself. He, too, was an outcast and an outlaw.
So far, at least, they possessed a common interest, and Werper decided
to play upon it for all that it might yield.

"I have heard of you," he replied, "and was searching for you. My
people have turned against me. I hate them. Even now their soldiers
are searching for me, to kill me. I knew that you would protect me
from them, for you, too, hate them. In return I will take service with
you. I am a trained soldier. I can fight, and your enemies are my
enemies."

Achmet Zek eyed the European in silence. In his mind he revolved many
thoughts, chief among which was that the unbeliever lied. Of course
there was the chance that he did not lie, and if he told the truth then
his proposition was one well worthy of consideration, since fighting
men were never over plentiful--especially white men with the training
and knowledge of military matters that a European officer must possess.

Achmet Zek scowled and Werper's heart sank; but Werper did not know
Achmet Zek, who was quite apt to scowl where another would smile, and
smile where another would scowl.

"And if you have lied to me," said Achmet Zek, "I will kill you at any
time. What return, other than your life, do you expect for your
services?"

"My keep only, at first," replied Werper. "Later, if I am worth more,
we can easily reach an understanding." Werper's only desire at the
moment was to preserve his life. And so the agreement was reached and
Lieutenant Albert Werper became a member of the ivory and slave raiding
band of the notorious Achmet Zek.

For months the renegade Belgian rode with the savage raider. He fought
with a savage abandon, and a vicious cruelty fully equal to that of his
fellow desperadoes. Achmet Zek watched his recruit with eagle eye, and
with a growing satisfaction which finally found expression in a greater
confidence in the man, and resulted in an increased independence of
action for Werper.

Achmet Zek took the Belgian into his confidence to a great extent, and
at last unfolded to him a pet scheme which the Arab had long fostered,
but which he never had found an opportunity to ef