Then, heedless
of straggles and oaths, he backed him a little space, threw him off his
feet, and three times whirled him through the air around his head. It
was an exhibition of strength that forced a cry of amazement even from
Abdullah.
"Now tell him," said Dick, when the panting and terrified native was
allowed to stand upright again, "tell him that if he does not speak the
truth, I shall take him by the ankles and beat out his brains against
the rocks in that same way."
"By the Holy Kaaba!" chuckled Abdullah, "that would be worth seeing."
He conquered his desire sufficiently to put the threat into blood-
curdling Arabic, and the Somali whined that he was a poor man, who only
obeyed orders, but, if the god-like Nazarene would spare his life, he
was ready to tell all he knew.
"Speak, then, and quickly," growled Abdullah, "for the Effendi
understands thee not, and he may lose patience."
The driver stammered something which almost roused the Arab to
excitement.
"Throw that dog aside, monsieur," he cried.
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