The thought rose unbidden that the remaining half must be undertaken in
daylight, with wornout camels, while the Hadendowa _kafila_ was
presumably in fresh condition.
Something of the sort must have been in Abdur Kad'r's mind when, he
said:
"The misbegotten thieves who follow, Effendi, will count on overtaking
us soon after daybreak. We must keep the water-bags fastened until the
dawn. Then let the camels empty them."
Royson silently debated the chances for and against an endeavor to rush
the journey on foot. If practicable, he would have attempted it,
leaving the Arab to save himself and the camels by adopting a longer
route. He decided that the project must fail. He could not find the
road at night, and his thin boots would be cut to pieces by the rocks
before he had gone many miles.
Yet, if they were overtaken, what would happen to Irene and the others?
A sharp pain gripped his breast, and his eyes clouded. He threw back
his head, and passed a hand over his clammy brow. The action seemed to
clear his brain, and he saw instantly that there was only one course
open to him.
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