erling posted at intervals, the Masai being hidden farther on.
Across the way, through the burned opening in the reeds, they could see
the camels drawing up on the eminence a hundred yards back from the
lake, and through their glasses the boys distinctly made out the figure
of Selim ben Amoud, in white burnous.

The Arabs bunched together for a few moments, examining the island
through their glasses. The wagon and zareba were in plain sight, but
they seemed to be puzzled by the absence of men or cattle. All were
armed with rifles, and two or three began picketing out the camels,
others taking off the camel-bags and proceeding to make camp. A moment
later the tall form of Selim ben Amoud advanced alone to the edge of the
water. As he did so, Schoverling rose to his feet and greeted him with a
warning shout in Arabic.

"_Naharak said_, Selim!"

Selim paused, evidently in astonishment, stared, and half-raised his
rifle. Then he dropped it again, and Charlie could distinctly see his
white teeth flashing in the sun.

"_Naharak said_, effendi! So it is my friend Mr. Schoverling, eh? What a
delightful surprise to meet you here!"

"I guess it's a surprise all right, Selim," responded the explorer. "But
the delight is all on your side. Are you out trading?"

"If you would come across and visit us," returned the Arab evasively,
"we would be very, very pleased to receive you."

"Don't doubt it a bit," and Schoverling grinned. "Say, come on over and
have tea, Selim. Come alone, though. You can trust me but I don't trust
you worth a whoop."

For answer the Arab waved his hand and turned back to his camels. The
boys gazed after him in curiosity, and Charlie turned to the explorer.

"Think he'll come, Gen'ral?"

"You bet," laughed the other. "He's dying to know whether we've found
that cache, and he'd trust me well enough. But we've got to make ready.
Jack, go and sling a tent over that pile of ivory. Gholab!"

"Ready, sahib."

"Make tea for all of us, with Selim thrown in. A slice of that impalla
for him, too, as he's apt to be hungry. Guru, you and Akram and Ali keep
hidden. When I call for you, come alone."

"Yes, sahib."

"What you goin' to do, General?" asked Charlie as the explorer told him
to return to the zareba with von Hofe and make every preparation to
receive their visitor.

"I'm goin' to run a big bluff on him," said Schoverling. "Remember,
those chaps are watching everything we do. Ah, Selim's taking a