the rate we figure, I would have twenty-one bags as my share, leaving
you all the ivory. That is correct?"

"Perfectly," returned Schoverling. "It looks to me like a fair split,
and if the gold runs over that figure, I won't kick. I'll throw in an
odd bag for good luck, Selim; that leaves us an even ten and the ivory.
There must be more gold where that came from, just the same. You might
come back here with a good force and make a clean-up, old man."

"Perhaps I will," said the other seriously. "Now, will you help me get
these bags into my saddle-bags? I have no fancy to remain overnight by
this lake."

All pitched in and helped to carry the twenty-two little bags of
precious metal over to the camel, which was kneeling and chewing
stolidly. Jack stepped too near with his burden, and the vicious head
swung about to snap. He leaped back amid the laughter of the rest, who
remained at a safe distance.

"Well, I suppose we must part," smiled Selim, holding out his hand as
the last of the bags was laced in the leathern flaps. "It would be
insincere to say that I am not sorry at finding you here before me, but
I am really very glad we did not have to fight. To tell the truth, my
men were almost too frightened to remain here, and had it come to
fighting, they would have refused point-blank."

"Well," laughed Schoverling whimsically, "I might as well show under
true colors, since you have led the way," and he called in all the men.
At sight of their real numbers, Selim gave a shout of laughter.

"Good, brother, good!" he cried as he urged his camel forward from its
knees. "We played the game well, you and I." He waved a hand as the
camel plunged into the water at the ford. "_Abqa'la kheir!_"

"_Abqa'la kheir_," shouted the American, and the two boys waved their
hats with attempts at the Arabic, which drew a last laughing wave from
Selim. Then his camel went up the farther bank.

"That means 'until the next time,'" laughed Schoverling. "Well, I'm glad
that we got out of that as we did."

"So am I," declared von Hofe, smiling broadly. "See, they are going."

So it appeared, for as Selim joined the rest there was an immediate
bustle. The camels were unpicketed, the saddles adjusted, and the camp
broken. All twelve Arabs were now in camp, and one by one the awkward
steeds rose to their feet.

"They're mighty fine beasts," declared Schoverling. "No common camels
there, but picked racers, worth a fortune apiece. Selim does