in his voice. "The gun you carry
is a nothing-weapon, desert man. When the French conquered this land
more than a century ago they were armed with single-shot rifles which
were still far in advance of your own long barrelled flintlocks. Today,
you are proud of that tommy gun you carry, and, indeed, it has the fire
power of a company of the Foreign Legion of a century past. However,
believe me, Abd-el-Kader, it is a nothing-weapon compared to those that
will be brought against the Chaambra if they heed your words."

The desert leader put back his head and laughed his scorn.

He chopped his laughter short and snapped, more to the council of chiefs
than to the stranger. "Then we will seize such weapons and use them
against those who would oppose us. In the end it is the strong who win
in war, and the Rouma have gone soft, as all men know. I, Abd-el-Kader
will have these two killed and then I shall announce to the assembled
tribes the new jedah, a Holy War to bring the Chosen of Allah once again
to their rightful position in the Sahara."

"Man," Abe Baker murmured pleasantly, "you're going to be one awful
disappointed cat before long."

El Aicha said mildly, "Such decisions are for the djemaa el kebar to
make, O Abd-el-Kader, not for a single chief of the Ouled Touameur."

The desert warrior chief sneered openly at the old man. "Decisions are
made by those with the strength to enforce them. The young men of the
Chaambra support me, and my men surround this tent."

"So do mine," Homer Crawford said decisively. "And I have come to arrest
you and take you to Columb-Bechar where you will be tried for your
participation in recent raids on various development projects."

El Aicha repeated his earlier words. "There shall be no violence at a
djemaa el kebar."

The Ouled Touameur chief's eyes had narrowed. "You are not strong enough
to take me."

* * * * *

In English, Abe Baker said, "Like maybe these young followers of this
cat need an example laid on them, man."

"I'm afraid you're right," Crawford growled disgustedly.

The younger American came to his feet. "I'll take him on," Abe said.

"No, he's nearer to my size," Crawford grunted. He turned to El Aicha,
and said in Arabic, "I demand the right of a stranger in your camp to a
trial by combat."

"On what grounds?" the old man scowled.

"That my manhood has been spat upon by this warrior who does his
fighting with his loud mouth."