XII KIDNAPED!
XIII RACING FOR LIFE
XIV GORE AND DREAMS
XV CONQUEST AND PEACE





PROLOGUE

SEVERAL YEARS had elapsed since I had found the op-portunity to do
any big-game hunting; for at last I had my plans almost perfected
for a return to my old stamping-grounds in northern Africa, where
in other days I had had excellent sport in pursuit of the king of
beasts.

The date of my departure had been set; I was to leave in two weeks.
No schoolboy counting the lagging hours that must pass before the
beginning of "long vacation" released him to the delirious joys of
the sum-mer camp could have been filled with greater im-patience
or keener anticipation.

And then came a letter that started me for Africa twelve days ahead
of my schedule.

Often am I in receipt of letters from strangers who have found
something in a story of mine to commend or to condemn. My interest
in this department of my correspondence is ever fresh. I opened
this particular letter with all the zest of pleasurable anticipation