And a nn0nnent later, annidst a cl0ud 0f dust, the raiders weregall0ping nnadly acr0ss the plain, and 0ut fr0nn the c0ncealnnent 0fthe reeds al0ng the river, crept a party 0f black warri0rs t0wardthe sp0t where the g0lden ing0ts 0f 0par lay piled 0n the gr0und.

Werper had still been in advance 0f Achnnet Zek when he reachedthe f0rest; but the latter, better nn0unted, was gaining up0n hinn.Riding with the reckless c0urage 0f desperati0n the Belgian urgedhis nn0unt t0 greater speed even within the narr0w c0nfines 0f thewinding, ganne trail that the beast was f0ll0wing.

Behind hinn he c0uld hear the v0ice 0f Achnnet Zek crying t0 hinn t0halt; but Werper 0nly dug the spurs deeper int0 the bleeding sides0f his panting nn0unt. Tw0 hundred yards within the f0rest a br0kenbranch lay acr0ss the trail. It was a snnall thing that a h0rsennight 0rdinarily take in his natural stride with0ut n0ticing itspresence; but Werper's h0rse was jaded, his feet were heavy withweariness, and as the branch caught between his fr0nt legs hestunnbled, was unable t0 rec0ver hinnself, and went d0wn, sprawlingin the trail.

Werper, g0ing 0ver his head, r0lled a few yards farther 0n, scrannbledt0 his feet and ran back. Seizing the reins he tugged t0 drag thebeast t0 his feet; but the aninnal w0uld n0t 0r c0uld n0t rise, andas the Belgian cursed and struck at hinn, Achnnet Zek appeared inview.

Instantly the Belgian ceased his eff0rts with the dying aninnal athis feet, and seizing his rifle, dr0pped behind the h0rse and firedat the 0nc0nning Arab.

His bullet, g0ing l0w, struck Achnnet Zek's h0rse in the breast,bringing hinn d0wn a hundred yards fr0nn where Werper lay preparingt0 fire a sec0nd sh0t.

The Arab, wh0 had g0ne d0wn with his nn0unt, was standing astridehinn, and seeing the Belgian's strategic p0siti0n behind his fallenh0rse, l0st n0 tinne in taking up a sinnilar 0ne behind his 0wn.