e arrival of Chief Mobogoma who wants the white princess
for his bride. He is willing to give in exchange a hundred of his best
slaves."

"Ah-woe! Ah-woe!" moaned the tribesmen.

"Suli and Abdul agreed to this, but the man-demon who flies on the back
of the bird-demon appeared and said that was not enough. He demanded
much ivory as well."

"Slythe! That was Jess Slythe!" exclaimed Dick Oakwood with
indignation. "I might have known that he was somewhere around and had
a hand in my affairs."

"There will be delay while they quarrel with words," continued Kulki
with a groan.

A slave appeared with food and drink for the returned warrior. He
gulped it hungrily. Dick questioned him further about the Arabs.

A shiver passed over the body of the Gorol, his eyes looked wild.
"They tortured me and sent me back to say that Veena would be returned
for two hundred Taharan slaves."

"Tahara have mercy! O Master, save us!" moaned the tribesmen. "What
are we to do?"

"Send us, O Master," came the cry from many throats. "Let us be
sacrificed, but bring back the little princess Veena."

Dick looked at Dan in astonishment. He had not expected to find such a
spirit of chivalry among this savage tribe.

"Say, they're pretty good sports, I'll tell the world!" cried Dan.
"Who would have believed it? And we want to civilize them! That's a
joke!"

Raal was standing impatiently frowning, waiting for Dick to give some
word of command.

"What are we going to do, Master?" he asked.

Dick once more raised his hand. "What will we do? Get ready to march!
At once! Food and drink must be carried! To work! We will go to that
Arab camp, but not as slaves. We will go as warriors to bring back
Princess Veena!"

"Tahara, hal! Tahara, hal!"

The cheer echoed through the hills. In a moment the village changed
from a quiet, sleepy camp to one bustling with life and excitement.
The women scuttled away toward the caves where the slaves were busy
with the cooking. They were chattering like magpies among themselves
but they were losing no time in carrying out the orders. Vanga's
shrill voice carried above the noise.

"Move faster, slaves!" she shrieked. "Out of my way!" And with a
resounding slap she boxed the ears of a small child who crossed her
path. Food and water was ready to be packed on the back of the horses,
when Dick had completed his plans for the march.

Kulki was left behind, he was too weak and tired