Abdul Mourak from the body of one of the first of the Abyssinians
who had fallen in the fight about the pile of ingots, and now he
realized that soon he would have used his last bullet, and be at
the mercy of the Arab--a mercy with which he was well acquainted.

Facing both death and despoilment of his treasure, the Belgian cast
about for some plan of escape, and the only one that appealed to
him as containing even a remote possibility of success hinged upon
the chance of bribing Achmet Zek.

Werper had fired all but a single cartridge, when, during a lull
in the fighting, he called aloud to his opponent.

"Achmet Zek," he cried, "Allah alone knows which one of us may
leave our bones to rot where he lies upon this trail today if we
keep up our foolish battle. You wish the contents of the pouch I
wear about my waist, and I wish my life and my liberty even more
than I do the jewels. Let us each, then, take that which he most
desires and go our separate ways in peace. I will lay the pouch
upon the carcass of my horse, where you may see it, and you, in
turn, will lay your gun upon your horse, with butt toward me. Then
I will go away, leaving the pouch to you, and you will let me go
in safety. I want only my life, and my freedom."

The Arab thought in silence for a moment. Then he spoke. His reply
was influenced by the fact that he had expended his last shot.

"Go your way, then," he growled, "leaving the pouch in plain sight
behind you. See, I lay my gun thus, with the butt toward you.
Go."