slim Arab, whose composure never gave way under the strain, which must
have been terrific. He puffed slowly at his cigar, and then smiled.

"Mr. Schoverling, and you, Dr. von Hofe, you will realize that your men
cannot subsist on air. They must have food. You may be too strong for us
in open fight, but at least we can keep you on the island. I do not
give up so easily. You may give me trouble, but in the end you will
die--either of starvation or by bullet. By the way, this brush seems to
be pretty dry. When my men were here it was green. I think a taste of
fire--you catch my meaning!"

Charlie, at least, caught it and stared aghast at the cruel smile of the
Arab.

CHAPTER XVII

FRESH SPOOR

"That's a good bluff, Selim," rejoined Schoverling coolly, "but it won't
go down with me. You might as well give in."

The other shook his head, still smiling. But at this instant Jack, who
had listened with intense interest to the duel of words, struck in and
cut the Gordian knot.

"Look here, General, and Mr. ben Amoud," he said, leaning forward
earnestly. "There's no sense in getting hot-headed over this. As near's
I can see, we've each got a mighty good excuse to scrap, and we can do a
whole lot of damage once we start. But this country isn't the place to
start a row, not to my notion.

"You hold on, Gen'ral, till I get through. We might shoot things up
consid'able, both of us, an' when we got through there wouldn't be
enough of us left to get back home with. If you start anything, Selim,
we'll raise you the limit; but there's no sense to it. _I_ say, let's
each of us divvy up the loot an' dig out for home."

That Schoverling had not considered any division of the cache was
evident, and he considered Jack's speech silently. Selim, however,
smiled again.

"My young friend, you are very wise. Mr. Schoverling, perhaps we might
agree on that basis. A fight would be costly to each of us, and might
leave us unable to get home, as is suggested. I am none too anxious to
stay in this land after the tales you tell. I recognize the fact that
you have the advantage of having the treasure in your power, and see no
reason why we should not share it and be gone."

Schoverling hesitated as Selim spoke. He plainly realized the force of
the argument, and yet to give up even a share of the ivory and dust went
against the grain. Perhaps he doubted the good faith of his friend the
enemy, but in any case von Hofe's grunt of app