savages. All
they need is a good leader," thought Dick as he glanced at Raal whose
heavy figure sitting straight and proud, gave an impression of great
strength.

For an hour they rode almost in silence, the horses eager and prancing.
Then as the ferocious heat of the sun burned into them, the horses
slackened their pace. Finally Dan drew close to Dick and whispered:
"Isn't it about time for lunch? I'm starved!"

Dick motioned him away impatiently. "Nothing doing, boy! Take a small
drink of water and pretend it's food. Our first halt is two hours from
here unless we're lucky enough to find an oasis."

"But why take life so seriously?" responded Dan. "These savages spend
a long time in bartering; we'll get there before they're through.
Besides Slythe will wait to see if you will send the two hundred slaves
to buy the princess."

"I'm not sure, Dan. We'd better push along as fast as we can. If
Mobogoma offers enough, Slythe won't take any chances on a slip-up."

Before another hour had gone by, the riders were wilted with the heat
and famished for food and drink. A green spot in the distance made
them urge their horses on toward the grove of palm trees.

"Come on, let's hurry," cried Dan. "We can't get to that spring quick
enough to suit me." The boy dug his heels into the horse's sides. The
spirits of the men rose at the prospect of a spring of clear water and
the shade of the palm trees beckoned them. Dan broke into a college
song and the tribesmen took up the air and shouted it at the top of
their lungs.

Suddenly Raal spoke in a voice trembling with excitement. "Look O
Master, across the desert! Those are the Arab raiders!"

"Where?"

Raal pointed to the horizon, still wavering with heat, and Dick
adjusted his binoculars.

At first he saw only a long straggling line of moving objects that
resembled a giant centipede with countless legs and undulating back.
Finally Dick made out a caravan of camels striding in single file and
accompanied by Arab horsemen. They were so far away that Dick could
not see them without the glasses, although Raal's sharp eyes had
distinguished them.

Dick gasped. "Arabs! You're right, Raal. Maybe they are the ones we
are after. Give orders for the warriors to have their weapons ready
and be on the alert. Then let's go!"

To encourage the men, Dan once more burst into song. The tired horses
caught the spirit and leaped ahead for a few minutes then began