people also who, in his youth, had crossed the desert and, therefore,
knew the road. "Yet, Physician," she added meaningly, "watch him, for
is he not named 'Cat'? Yes, watch him, for did I not hold his wife and
children hostages, and were I not sure that he desires to win the great
reward in land which I have promised to him, I would not trust you to
this man's keeping."

Well, after many experiences in his company, my opinion coincided with
Maqueda's, and so did that of Quick, no mean judge of men.

"Look at him, Doctor," he said when he came to tell me that I could turn
in, for whether it were his watch or not, the Sergeant never seemed to
be off duty. "Look, at him," and he pointed to Shadrach, who was seated
under the shade of a tree, talking earnestly in whispers with two of his
subordinates with a very curious and unpleasing smile upon his face. "If
God Almighty ever made a scamp, he's squatting yonder. My belief is that
he wanted to be rid of us all at Zeu, so that he might steal our goods,
and I hope he won't play the same trick again to-night. Even the dog
can't abide him."

Before I could answer, I had proof of this last statement, for the great
yellow hound, Pharaoh, that had found us in the desert, hearing our
voices, emerged from some corner where it was hidden, and advanced
toward us, wagging its tail. As it passed Shadrach, it stopped and
growled, the hair rising on its back, whereon he hurled a stone at it
and hit its leg. Next instant Pharaoh, a beast of enormous power, was on
the top of him, and really, I thought, about to tear out his throat.

Well, we got him off before any harm was done, but Shadrach's face,
lined with its livid scars, was a thing to remember. Between rage and