“But he deserted us in the street at a critical moment.”
“Because, as he frankly stated, he believed we were lost, and he could do nothing to save us. Had he attempted to do anything, he would have sacrificed himself and left Nadia and Dunbar still helpless in the trap.”
“Well, it may be he’s on the square; but it certain seems to me he’s had time to keep his word and show up with Nadia before this.”
At this moment there were signs of confusion in the train. The camel drivers in advance halted and uttered strange cries. Others took it up. Those cries produced still greater confusion, which seemed like consternation.
“What is it?” asked Brad.
Dick shaded his eyes and peered away across the broken waste of desert.
“Horsemen!” he exclaimed. “There is a large body of mounted men coming toward us from the north.”
“Sure thing,” said the Texan, discerning them. “I wonder if Assouan is going to make good at last!”
The horsemen came on rapidly, a tiny cloud of dust rising behind them. Soon they were near enough to enable the men of the camel train to discover an interesting thing concerning them.
“Bedouins!” was the cry.