"Sad Sam," Ali repeated.
Lieutenant Beale turned to glance at Ben Akbar. "Sad Sam, eh? He does look a bit melancholy at that. I'll see if I can make him smile."
Pulling away from Ali, he resumed walking toward Ben Akbar. Ali waited in his tracks, unable to think of anything else he might do. Lieutenant Beale passed Ben Akbar's point of no return, and only Allah could help now.
Then, even as Ali drew each quick breath with a dreadful certainty that it must mark Ben Akbar's quick lunge, the dalul stepped forward. He thrust his head over Lieutenant Beale's shoulder and waited in shivering ecstasy for his neck to be scratched.
Ali caught his breath and the look in his eyes was one of profound respect. This man was indeed to command. There would be no failure.
Major Wayne shouted suddenly, "Ned! Watch yourself!"
Still scratching Ben Akbar's neck, Lieutenant Beale glanced toward the returning Major. "What's up?"
"That's a killer dromedary. Didn't anybody warn you?"
"Somebody tried but I guess I didn't understand." The look Lieutenant Beale gave Ali meant that one man recognized another. "I won't be so stupid again," Lieutenant Beale promised.