“It means that I have made a compact with Ain-el-Khair,” declared Frank, smiling triumphantly. “He hates Ben Ahmet and Ali Mustaf most heartily, and he is looking for them now.”
“What kind of a compact have you made?”
“I have agreed to give him a garment that will make him bullet-proof if he will aid us in rescuing Igela from Ben Ahmet. He says he will do so, and will guard us to within a short distance of the wall of Tangier.”
“But how can you give him a garment that will make him bullet-proof?”
“By giving him the shirt I have on. You must stand between me and the Arabs while I remove it. Bring two of the horses on the same side.”
This was done, and Frank hastily and deftly removed the shirt, while Ain-el-Khair supposed the young sorcerer was manufacturing the garment by some mysterious process.
“I hope he will be able to get it on,” said the boy anxiously.
A great shout went up from the Arabs as Frank advanced toward them, with the garment in his hand. The sheik met the boy and received the shirt, examining it curiously. He asked many questions about it, and Frank assured him that no bullet could pierce it.
Then Ain-el-Khair made one of his followers don the shirt, after which the fellow was forced to stand up while the old sheik fired a shot at him at a distance not more than ten feet.
The wearer of the shirt staggered a bit, but remained unharmed by the bullet.