the enemies of Achmet Zek, he took heart, and immediately blamed
his predicament upon the Arab.

Lest, however, he might again fall into the hands of the raider, he
discouraged Abdul Mourak in the further prosecution of his pursuit,
assuring the Abyssinian that Achmet Zek commanded a large and
dangerous force, and also that he was marching rapidly toward the
south.

Convinced that it would take a long time to overhaul the raider,
and that the chances of engagement made the outcome extremely
questionable, Mourak, none too unwillingly, abandoned his plan and
gave the necessary orders for his command to pitch camp where they
were, preparatory to taking up the return march toward Abyssinia
the following morning.

It was late in the afternoon that the attention of the camp was
attracted toward the west by the sound of a powerful voice calling
a single word, repeated several times: "Lady! Lady! Lady!"

True to their instincts of precaution, a number of Abyssinians,
acting under orders from Abdul Mourak, advanced stealthily through
the jungle toward the author of the call.

A half hour later they returned, dragging Mugambi among them. The
first person the big black's eyes fell upon as he was hustled into
the presence of the Abyssinian officer, was M. Jules Frecoult, the
Frenchman who had been the guest of his master and whom he last had
seen entering the village of Achmet Zek under circumstances which
pointed to his familiarity and friendship for the raiders.