“Peace,” said the chief. “Thou should not be impatient. Before thou canst see them it is necessary that thou shouldst be searched for hidden weapons.”
Merriwell took a step forward, assailed by sudden forebodings and suspicions. He saw the fierce-looking men gathered close about them, each with weapons ready for use.
Buckhart, also, was startled and aroused. He pressed to Dick’s side, hissing:
“Something crooked, pard! I’m afraid we’re trapped!”
“Why should we be disarmed?” demanded Dick. “We are harmless and——”
“It is the rule,” said Ali Beha grimly. “No one not of our people shall be permitted to carry arms while among us. There can be no exception for thee.”
“It sure is a trap!” whispered the Texan. “If we give up our arms, we’re goners!”
Dick thought swiftly, and he decided at once that resistance was folly. Were they to attempt it, they would be crushed, perhaps murdered, in a twinkling.
“We’re in your hands, Ali Beha,” he said. “We have trusted you, and we must continue to do so.”
Immediately our friends were searched by the Bedouins and deprived of their weapons.