ically.
He tried to make it plain to the sheik that Miss Gray could not accept
the honor he wished to confer upon her, but it was not Mohammed's
custom to be denied anything he asked for--especially anything
feminine. He complacently announced that he would come aboard that
afternoon and talk it over with Peggy.

Brewster looked the swarthy gentleman over with unconcealed disgust in
his eyes. The mere thought of this ugly brute so much as touching the
hand of little Peggy Gray filled him with horror, and yet there was
something laughable in the situation. He could not hide the smile that
came with the mind picture of Peggy listening to the avowal of the
sheik. The Arab misinterpreted this exhibition of mirth. To him the
grin indicated friendship and encouragement. He wanted to give Brewster
a ring as a pledge of affection, but the American declined the
offering, and also refused to carry a bag of jewels to Peggy.

"I'll let the old boy come aboard just to see Peggy look a hole through
him," he resolved. "No matter how obnoxious it may be, it isn't every
girl who can say an oriental potentate has asked her to marry him. If
this camel-herder gets disagreeable we may tumble him into the sea for
a change."

With the best grace possible he invited the sheik to come aboard and
consult Miss Gray in person. Mohammed was a good bit puzzled over the
intimation that it would be necessary for him to plead for anything he
had expressed a desire to possess. Brewster confided the news to "Rip"
Van Winkle and "Subway" Smith, who had gone ashore with him, and the
trio agreed that it would be good sport to let the royal proposal come
as a surprise to Peggy. Van Winkle returned to the yacht at once, but
his companions stayed ashore to do some shopping. When they approached
the "Flitter" later on they observed an unusual commotion on deck.

Mohammed had not tarried long after their departure. He gathered his
train together, selected a few costly presents that had been returned
from the harem and advanced on the boat without delay. The captain of
the "Flitter" stared long and hard at the gaily bedecked launches and
then called to his first officer. Together they watched the ceremonious
approach. A couple of brown-faced heralds came aboard first and
announced the approach of the mighty chief. Captain Perry went forward
to greet the sheik as he came over the side of the ship, but he was
brushed aside by the advance guards. Half a hundred