"Why don't you answer the Captain?" I called out, with a strange
feeling of rage sweeping over me.

The Targui looked at me. I thought that he was going to speak. But his
eyes became suddenly hard. Under the lustrous veil I saw his features
stiffening.

Morhange and I turned around.

On the threshold of the cavern, breathless, discomfited, harassed by
an hour of vain pursuit, Bou-Djema had returned to us.




VI

THE DISASTER OF THE LETTUCE


As Eg-Anteouen and Bou-Djema came face to face, I fancied that both
the Targa and the Chaamba gave a sudden start which each immediately
repressed. It was nothing more than a fleeting impression.
Nevertheless, it was enough to make me resolve that as soon as I was
alone with our guide, I would question him closely concerning our new
companion.

The beginning of the day had been wearisome enough. We decided,
therefore, to spend the rest of it there, and even to pass the night