Hence it
was nearly ten o'clock when Royson quitted the camp on his self-imposed
task. To all outward semblance, he differed not a jot from the two
Arabs who accompanied him. A burnous and hood covered his khaki riding
costume. He bestrode a powerful camel nearly eight feet high. Like his
companions, he carried a slung rifle; a haversack and water-bottle
completed his equipment. His size alone distinguished him from Abdur
Kad'r and Sheikh Hussain of Kenneh, the latter being a man whom Abdur
Kad'r had selected as best fitted to win his way unquestioned into the
Italian camp. Royson's Arab dress was intended to secure the party from
espionage while they traveled towards Suleiman's Well. When they neared
it he would throw aside the burnous. His pith helmet was on his saddle,
but the Arab hood enabled him to dispense with it by night.
The older Arab led: behind him rode Royson; Hussain brought up the
rear. In this fashion they climbed the slight rise of the wide valley
which sheltered the expedition. They had gone some three hundred yards,
and the leader was scanning the horizon for a gap through which the
track passed, when they were all amazed to hear Miss Fenshawe's clear
voice.
Pages:
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344