CHAPTER VII
THE WAR TRAIL
"Throw your rope over that wicked little beast!" exclaimed Dick Oakwood.
"Okay, Dick," answered Dan. His quivering lariat sailed through theair and the loop settled neatly about the neck of one of the small wildhorses in the enclosure, bringing it to the ground.
Quick as a flash, Dick was on its back, much to the delight of thesavage tribe who had never witnessed such feats of bravery.
"Tahara, hal!" they cried.
For days there had been great excitement in the land of the Taharans.After the raid of the Arabs and the possibility that the tribe mighthave to make a return attack to recover the princess, Veena, Dick andhis chum, Dan Carter, had been breaking the wild horses and teachingthe natives to handle them.
They were apt pupils and one after another were mastering the art ofhorseback riding.
Now as Dick after a fierce struggle brought the horse down to a gentlegallop, he dismounted and handed the reins to Raal. At that momentKurt interrupted with a cry. He ran to Dick with terror in his face.
"O Master, look through your magic glasses and see who is coming. Isit a new danger that threatens us?" Then aside he murmured, "Tahara isgreat. He will protect us!"
Dick beckoned to Kurul to whom he had trusted his binoculars, and thewarrior passed over the glasses as if he were glad to get rid of them.The savages were still not certain that these strange eyes wereinnocent of the spell of black magic.
Dick put them to his eyes and saw a strange figure approaching from thedesert. It staggered and fell to the ground, then rose wearily andstruggled on.
"It seems to be an old man, bent double with age," said Dick. "He isvery weary. Run Kurt, and help him! And you, Kurul, lend a hand. Itis good to help the old and feeble."
But suddenly Dan who had taken the glasses, gave a cry. His face grewpale. Turning to Dick he said in a low voice.
"Kulki! It is Kulki!"
"Kulki!" repeated Dick. "It can't be. What has happened?"
The two boys hastened after Kurt and Kurul and had no difficulty inovertaking them, for the savages were afraid and went warily, invokingTahara to protect them at every step.
Dick was the first to reach the Gorol warrior, who limped and staggeredand when he realized that his friends had come to help him he sank tothe sand at Dick's feet.
"Master forgive! I could not!" he moaned.
Dick raised the Gorol to his feet but he was trembling so violentlythat he had to be half carried back to the village where, a word at atime between his pleas for forgiveness, Dick got his story.
Kulki and his two Taharan companions had found the Arab camp. Suli wasthere and Abdul. And the wicked Cimbula!
"But Veena! Where is Veena?" demanded Raal, his heavy face white withanxiety, His large hands were clenched as he stood menacingly above theGorol. "Where is Veena and where are the two warriors who went withyou?"
"The warriors are dead," replied Kulki.
"But where is Veena?" asked Dick. His voice was stern as he tried tohide the emotion he felt.
"Forgive O Master, I could not bring her back. The Arabs haveimprisoned her. They tortured me through long hours, hitting me withheavy thongs and burned me with hot embers, then they sent me home totell you. I have travelled all day and all night to bring help." TheGorol youth looked at Raal imploringly, then continued, "Veena, thelittle white princess will not be killed and we have still time to saveher if we go at once. That is what Cimbula said to me and heunderstands the language and the ways of the Arabs."
"What do you mean, Kulki?" demanded Dick anxiously.
"Suli and Abdul protect her, for they are anxious to sell her for a bigprice."
Cries arose from the listeners, for most of the tribe had gathered tohear what Kulki had to tell. The women shrieked and moaned, rockingthemselves back and forth, and tearing their hair.
Dick raised his hand for silence.
"Be quiet my friends," he said calmly. "Kulki says we still have timeto save her." Then he turned to the Gorol, "Are you sure? Tell us allyou know!"
"Cimbula tell me all they said," went on Kulki. "Suli and Abdul arewaiting for the arrival of Chief Mobogoma who wants the white princessfor his bride. He is willing to give in exchange a hundred of his bestslaves."
"Ah-woe! Ah-woe!" moaned the tribesmen.
"Suli and Abdul agreed to this, but the man-demon who flies on the backof the bird-demon appeared and said that was not enough. He demandedmuch ivory as well."
"Slythe! That was Jess Slythe!" exclaimed Dick Oakwood withindignation. "I might have known that he was somewhere around and hada hand in my affairs."
"There will be delay while they quarrel with words," continued Kulkiwith a groan.
A slave appeared with food and drink for the returned warrior. Hegulped it hungrily. Dick questioned him further about the Arabs.
A shiver passed over the body of the Gorol, his eyes looked wild."They tortured me and sent me back to say that Veena would be returnedfor two hundred Taharan slaves."
"Tahara have mercy! O Master, save us!" moaned the tribesmen. "Whatare we to do?"
"Send us, O Master," came the cry from many throats. "Let us besacrificed, but bring back the little princess Veena."
Dick looked at Dan in astonishment. He had not expected to find such aspirit of chivalry among this savage tribe.
"Say, they're pretty good sports, I'll tell the world!" cried Dan."Who would have believed it? And we want to civilize them! That's ajoke!"
Raal was standing impatiently frowning, waiting for Dick to give someword of command.
"What are we going to do, Master?" he asked.
Dick once more raised his hand. "What will we do? Get ready to march!At once! Food and drink must be carried! To work! We will go to thatArab camp, but not as slaves. We will go as warriors to bring backPrincess Veena!"
"Tahara, hal! Tahara, hal!"
The cheer echoed through the hills. In a moment the village changedfrom a quiet, sleepy camp to one bustling with life and excitement.The women scuttled away toward the caves where the slaves were busywith the cooking. They were chattering like magpies among themselvesbut they were losing no time in carrying out the orders. Vanga'sshrill voice carried above the noise.
"Move faster, slaves!" she shrieked. "Out of my way!" And with aresounding slap she boxed the ears of a small child who crossed herpath. Food and water was ready to be packed on the back of the horses,when Dick had completed his plans for the march.
Kulki was left behind, he was too weak and tired for the second trip.And Dick could trust him to protect the cave-dwellers in his absence.
"Say Dick, I'm sure glad we got a few good horses out of that Arabraid. At least you and I and Raal will be looked after. What will theothers do? Walk?"
"Of course not! What did I have you break in those small wild horsesfor if it wasn't for just such an occasion? Saddle your horses, men,and get ready!"
The warriors whooped with delight as they ran toward the enclosurewhere the horses were held. They were pleased at the chance to usetheir new saddles.
"Say Dick, what would a western cowboy say about these saddles? Theymake their silver trimmed affairs seem very plain. Look at Raal'ssaddle, it is covered with golden disks. Some class!"
The warriors shouted and screamed with laughter as they caught the wildhorses and bridled them. It was a new game. They liked it.
"Those boys seem to think this is a big picnic they are going on,"remarked Dan Carter. "Why don't you tell them it's a serious business?"
"What's the use?" replied Dick. "Let them get what fun they can out ofthe start. Besides I hope we can settle this without a fight."
"For a king who was going to have nothing but peace in his country, youhave certainly managed to put up some pretty stiff scraps," teased Dan.
"Never mind that," replied Dick with a laugh. "I'll get around to thatsome day. Just now we've got to
undo a great wrong."
"Oh, yes! You've got to fight for peace. I see! All right then, comealong, I'm with you. But are you sure we'll be able to carry enoughfood?"
"You can take as much as you can carry on the back of your saddle.Besides it wouldn't hurt you to go hungry for a while," said Dick.
"Oh, is that so!" snapped Dan impatiently. The good-natured Dan wasrarely cross and then only for a second. His fact cleared suddenly andhe said, "Tough luck! I suppose I'll have to stand it. Come on!"
It was a strange looking army that rode out of the land of theTaharans. Dick, Dan and Raal were riding ahead on their Arab horsesand the rest of the tribesmen were mounted on the small wild horsesthat Dick and Dan had trained to the saddle. Although these animalswere small they were almost as fleet as the large horses and couldstand the heat of the desert much better.
The Boy King looked back with pride as he saw his warriors riding sowell.
"There is no limit to what I may be able to do with these savages. Allthey need is a good leader," thought Dick as he glanced at Raal whoseheavy figure sitting straight and proud, gave an impression of greatstrength.
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 horsesslackened 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 smalldrink of water and pretend it's food. Our first halt is two hours fromhere unless we're lucky enough to find an oasis."
"But why take life so seriously?" responded Dan. "These savages spenda 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 slavesto buy the princess."
"I'm not sure, Dan. We'd better push along as fast as we can. IfMobogoma offers enough, Slythe won't take any chances on a slip-up."
Before another hour had gone by, the riders were wilted with the heatand famished for food and drink. A green spot in the distance madethem urge their horses on toward the grove of palm trees.
"Come on, let's hurry," cried Dan. "We can't get to that spring quickenough to suit me." The boy dug his heels into the horse's sides. Thespirits of the men rose at the prospect of a spring of clear water andthe shade of the palm trees beckoned them. Dan broke into a collegesong and the tribesmen took up the air and shouted it at the top oftheir lungs.
Suddenly Raal spoke in a voice trembling with excitement. "Look OMaster, across the desert! Those are the Arab raiders!"
"Where?"
Raal pointed to the horizon, still wavering with heat, and Dickadjusted his binoculars.
At first he saw only a long straggling line of moving objects thatresembled a giant centipede with countless legs and undulating back.Finally Dick made out a caravan of camels striding in single file andaccompanied by Arab horsemen. They were so far away that Dick couldnot see them without the glasses, although Raal's sharp eyes haddistinguished them.
Dick gasped. "Arabs! You're right, Raal. Maybe they are the ones weare after. Give orders for the warriors to have their weapons readyand be on the alert. Then let's go!"
To encourage the men, Dan once more burst into song. The tired horsescaught the spirit and leaped ahead for a few minutes then began to lag.The heat was intense, the sand, catching the sun's rays dazzled theeyes and made them burn.
But no matter how fast they rode, the oasis seemed as far away as ever.The caravan was lost in the shimmering haze.
"Who would have believed that it was so far away?" grumbled Dan Carter.At that moment he caught sight of Dick's face. It was pale andtroubled.
"What's the matter, old sport?" Dan asked anxiously. "Are you sick orsomething? Better take a sip of that precious water in the bag."
"No, I'm all right," answered Dick quietly, "but I'm wondering how I'mgoing to explain a mirage to these savages."
"A mirage!" exclaimed Dan with a catch in his voice. "So that's why weseemed to be getting farther away from that green spot all the time.But Dick, are you certain? I'd have sworn it was the real thing."
But even as they talked, Dan noticed the thinning haze ahead. Itseemed to be rising and soon disappeared into the sky.
"Say, Dick, when did you catch on?" asked Dan.
"About five minutes ago. How am I going to explain it to them? Theymay never have seen one and may think that it is black magic. See, thecaravan has vanished, too."
"Tell them it's Cimbula out there," said Dan with a laugh. "They'llbelieve that, all right."
While the boys were talking, the haze dissolved completely, leaving afar stretch of sandy waste.
"Ah-woe Tahara!" moaned Raal touching Dick's arm. "Look ahead. Thespirit of evil has swallowed up the oasis. It is a warning, O Master.I have seen it many times before."
Dick gave a sigh of relief. At least the mirage was not unknown to thetribesmen.
"A warning, what do you mean, Raal?" asked Dick.
"Thus comes the oasis on the desert at times, leading men todestruction. Warriors depart to take possession of the new land andfind themselves without food and drink. They ride around in circles inorder to find the green oasis. Then at last the demons gobble them up.Did you not see the caravan disappear? It is a bad omen, so say mypeople."
Some of the tribesmen shielded their faces against the evil eye whileothers muttered anxiously. A few turned as if to flee back to theirown land but at a sharp command from Dick they followed grumbling.
Dick halted his riders and they ate a hasty lunch while shieldingthemselves in the shadow of their horses.
Late that afternoon they came to the oasis in the desert. The menthrew themselves flat on their stomachs by the spring, dipping up thewater in their hands and drinking with loud sucking noises. It washard for both man and beast to restrain the desire to overdo, for theirparched throats seemed never to get enough.
As soon as the quickly prepared meal was over, the men stretched out onthe green grass beneath the palms and slept.
Long before daylight the tribesmen were up, making ready for the secondday's march toward the jungle. Dick and Dan were weary and sore fromthe journey but there were no complaints from either of them. Theyswung into their saddles and taking the lead, raced their horses overthe desert, making the most of the cool morning, knowing that as soonas the sun rose the heat would be almost unbearable.
It was late on the third day when they reached the lowlands which layat the beginning of the jungle. Already the atmosphere had changed.It was oppressive and humid. Directly in front of them was a pathleading to the wilderness of trees and overgrowing trailing plants.The stars were just appearing in the sky and Dick ordered his men tomake camp, feeling safer to sleep in the open. He put Kurt and Kurul,his most trustworthy warriors, to stand guard. But Dick could notsleep. The sound of jungle life came to him, the sharp cries of nightbirds, the yelping of wild animals. The Boy King felt the menace ofthe jungle.
But after hours of listening the sounds seemed to grow fainter as ifthe wild life were going far, far away. His eyes closed. But just ashe might have dropped off to sleep, he was awakened by Dan's hand onhis face.
"I don't want to frighten you, Dick, but do you see those two greenishlights at the edge of the trees? Look!"
"They are probably stars," replied Dick sleepily. Dick rubbed histired eyes and sat up. Dan pointed out the glowing sparks. The boysdid not move, for they saw that Kurt and Kurul were aware of theintruder. They stood motionless near a jungle tree.
"It's a leopard, Dick, I'm sure of it," said Dan. "Where's your Arabgun?"
"It's here," replied his chum. "But wait! Kurt and Kurul are onguard. They have a plan. I will not interfere with them."
Slowly the lights grew larger. Two more appeared, and soon two others,and one could see the dim shapes of animals crouching low and wrigglingfrom the tangle of vines and creepers, scarcely making a sound.
Kurt and Kurul stood tense and alert, their bows were drawn back readyat any second to send the flint pointed arrows into the vital spot oftheir enemy.
Dick watched and thought he understood why his bowmen waked so long.The leopards were making their way toward the wild horses and nottoward the sleeping men. The warriors were waiting to get them out inthe open where they could see better to shoot. In the light of thestars Dick could see the beasts crawling along the ground. Suddenlythe two first gave a spring, but before they could reach their prey,Kurt and Kurul had shot their arrows, catching the beasts between theeyes. Their bodies jumped high in the air, then dropped. The otheranimals turned and disappeared.
"Oh boy, what a shot!" exclaimed Dan, jumping to his feet and runningtoward the dead animals, but Kurul held him back.
"Beware, brother," said Kurul, "the leopard has a way of coming aliveafter he is dead! I've seen it!"
For Dick there was no more sleep that night. It was time to relieveKurt and Kurul and he did not feel sure that the other men were to betrusted to watch. Dick knew that Rex Carter was depending on him tolook after Dan and protect him from danger, and besides that theresponsibility of his army weighed on the shoulders of the Boy King ofthe desert.
Dick sat up and watched toward the jungle. From time to time darkshapes slipped by as if eager to get far away from danger. The sharpcall of night birds awakened monkeys that kept up a maddening chatter.The night seemed full of dangers that threatened him. But Dick Oakwoodwas not displeased.
"Who would have believed it!" he said to himself. "When I left AmericaI had no idea that my experiences would be stranger even than those ofMatt Binney, our old African trader. When I get back I'll tell himsome thrillers that will make his hair stand on end, the way he used tomake mine when I was a kid."
As usual on the march, dawn had not tinted the horizon before thewarriors were up and busy preparing breakfast and as the first streaksof rose and purple made fantastic designs in the sky, Dick and Dan ledthe way into the jungle, following the trail that Kulki had told themwould lead to the Arab camp.
In a few minutes steam rose from the horses' sides while perspirationflowed down the faces of the riders. Dan wiped his face with the backof his hand leaving a dusty streak across his cheek. He turned to lookat his chum to see how he was standing the strain.
The Boy King looked tired. After a wakeful night, the heat irritatedhim. And the thought that Cimbula and Slythe had their heads togetherin a plan to overthrow his rule, did not make him look forward with anyassurance of success in the venture to rescue Veena.
Right now his brain was dulled by lack of sleep. The raid with hiswarriors seemed hopeless and a foolish undertaking. Dick slumped inhis saddle for a moment and looked the picture of woe anddiscouragement.
"How's this for a steam bath!" exclaimed Dan. "Good for your health.Doctor's orders. Oh boy, what a treat!"
Dick smiled at his chum, whose happy-go-lucky nature always brought funand a laugh into every situation, no matter how tight a jam it might be.
At last Dick sat erect with a jerk. Every moment he was coming nearerto the dreaded spot where his enemies were in wait for his arrival.This was not the time to weaken. Brushing his hand across his dampforehead, the boy took the lead bravely, his head held high. He knewthat the odds were all against him, as they had been before, but in hisheart he felt sure that he would win.
It was late that afternoon when Dick suddenly drew rein and gave asignal to halt. Some danger menaced them; he felt it without knowingwhat it was. The jungle trail was just the same as when they enteredit that morning. Then why this nameless fear?
He listened intently, but there was only the scolding of monkeys andthe answering screech of birds. No human sound was distinguishable.
Giving the order to proceed cautiously, every man ready with bow andarrow, Dick emerged without warning into a clearing. Suddenly hishorse reared back with a frightened snort.
Blocking the path ahead of him was a score or more of black warriors,their faces painted in streaks of red and yellow, making them grotesqueand frightful. Their bows were drawn and their fiendish grins sentterror to the hearts of the boys. With hideous yells, a band of thesavages behind the bowmen started a war-dance.
"I see our finish!" exclaimed Dan. "Give them a taste of your gun,Dick!"
"That wouldn't help. Look at the black horde coming from everydirection. They are two against one! We'll try to show them that weare friendly."
"I guess you're right, Dick. But we are certainly in a tight jam thistime."
"Keep quiet, Dan!" said Dick, really vexed at the boy.
The apparent lack of fear in Dick evidently gained the respect of thetribe. Their arrows did not fly, the warriors held them, waiting for acommand.
Then a command came, loud and clear. It was a surprise to Dick, for itcame from a point directly above his head and the voice was not that ofan African savage. The hidden chief spoke in the language of thetribe. It was an order; the inflection of the voice told Dick thatbefore the warriors dropped their bows and arrows and bowed low to Dick.
Then the voice again boomed out in broken English, "Advance white men!I will protect you! Mahatma Sikandar speaks!"