No More Learning

"I," said a voice. "I will go--but there is no going from the camp. "

"Fool! I know that a camel can break his knee-halter, and the sentries
do not fire if one goes in chase. Twenty-five pounds and another
twenty-five pounds. But the beast must be a good Bisharin; I will take
no baggage-camel. "

Then the bargaining began, and at the end of half an hour the first
deposit was paid over to the sheik, who talked in low tones to the
driver.

Dick heard the latter say: "A little way out only. Any baggage-beast
will serve. Am I a fool to waste my cattle for a blind man? "

"And though I cannot see"--Dick lifted his voice a little--"yet I carry
that which has six eyes, and the driver will sit before me. If we do not
reach the English troops in the dawn he will be dead. "

"But where, in God's name, are the troops? "

"Unless thou knowest let another man ride. Dost thou know?
Remember it
will be life or death to thee. "

"I know," said the driver, sullenly. "Stand back from my beast. I am
going to slip him. "

"Not so swiftly. George, hold the camel's head a moment. I want to feel
his cheek. " The hands wandered over the hide till they found the
branded half-circle that is the mark of the Biharin, the light-built
riding-camel.

"That is well. Cut this one loose. Remember no blessing of God comes on
those who try to cheat the blind. "

The men chuckled by the fires at the camel-driver's discomfiture. He had
intended to substitute a slow, saddle-galled baggage-colt.

"Stand back! " one shouted, lashing the Biharin under the belly with a
quirt. Dick obeyed as soon as he felt the nose-string tighten in his
hand,--and a cry went up, "Illaha!