"Do they not call me Eagle Eye?" said the man proudly.
Frank smiled. There was an amusing simplicity about Ali's self-esteem.
"Well, what do you make of them?" Frank asked after a minute or two.
The Kurd, peering round the edge of the rock, had shown more and more interest as the approaching party drew nearer.
"Wallaby! It is Abdi the cursed. I know Abdi and his evil eye. A bad man, truly, for he will sin against a true believer as readily as he will kill a Giaour. He is hated by all and feared by most. We must not meet him."
"But you don't fear him, Ali?"
"Allah knows I fear him not; but I gave my word for the safety of your nobleness and these poor creatures, and it is not well we run into danger from Abdi and his larger party. Besides, there is with him, riding by his side, the dog German----"
"What, Wonckhaus?"
"Even so, effendim. That curdles your cream, or call me a liar."
"He has stolen a march on us, Joseph," said Frank, turning to his companion. His tone expressed deep annoyance. "He wouldn't have come into these parts on any other errand, and I shall be mad if he has pulled off the deal.--I don't want to meet Wonckhaus, Ali. Can we get out of the way until he has passed?"