Captured by the Arabs

  CAPTURED BY THE ARABS

  by

  JAMES FOSTER

  A. L. Burt Company, PublishersNew York Chicago

  Copyright, 1933, byA. L. Burt Company

  Captured by the Arabs

  Printed in the United States of America

  * * * * * *

  THE EXPLORATION SERIES BY JAMES FOSTER CAPTURED BY THE ARABS LOST IN THE WILDS OF BRAZIL SECRETS OF THE ANDES THE FOREST OF MYSTERY

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  CONTENTS

  CHAPTER PAGE I Followed by Rascals 1 II Scoundrels at Work 9 III A Villainous Deed 18 IV Lured to Danger 27 V A Fight for Freedom 34 VI Through Unknown Forests 48 VII Good News 55 VIII Off for the Sahara 63 IX Across the Desert 69 X Questionable Strangers 77 XI Fighting Heavy Odds 86 XII A Grim Discovery 96 XIII The Hideous Reptile 105 XIV Falling Helplessly 113 XV As Guests of Heathens 123 XVI Steady Aim 131 XVII Moments of Horror 140 XVIII Savage Tribesmen 149 XIX Searching for the Ancient 159 XX The Horror of Thirst 169 XXI Captured! 180 XXII The Cave of Treasure 193 XXIII Met by Enemies 197 XXIV A Dangerous Undertaking 204 XXV Going for Help 214 XXVI To the Rescue 223 XXVII The Hidden Treasure 230 XXVIII Back to Civilization 239 Bibliography 245

  CHAPTER I

  Followed by Rascals

  "The Sahara Desert! Adventure! Exploration!" breathed Joe Lewis, as hesat with four companions on the deck of the steamer _Sylvania_,awaiting their first glimpse of North Africa.

  "It'll be wonderful!" muttered Bob Holton, who was also deeplytouched. He, like his chum, had often pictured this mission into theheart of the vast expanse of sand. Soon it would be the real thing.Already the youth could feel his feet plod through the loose soil,could sense the delight of long traveling in a little-known land.

  Dr. Kirshner, a noted archaeologist, looked up from the book he wasreading. His bronzed face took on a wide smile as he scrutinized thetwo young men.

  "Got the old spirit, all right," he said with twinkling eyes. "Isuppose it came from that expedition in Brazil. Every explorer gets itsooner or later."

  "That's right," agreed Mr. Lewis, Joe's father. "They say the maincharacteristic of a true explorer is his ability to sense the thrillof adventure."

  "Then we're real explorers. Isn't that right, Dad?" grinned Bob.

  "'We'?" asked Mr. Holton, trying to appear serious. "Where do you getthat 'we' stuff? You and Joe have only bothered us on one expedition.We men have faced the scorching sun scores of times, and should by nowhave caught the true meaning of it all. But you boys----"

  "Wait a minute," cut in Bob, determined not to be beaten so easily."Where would you have been if it hadn't been for Joe and me? It wasour ingenuity that brought about the success of the expedition."

  "Well, I must say I hadn't thought of that before," laughed Mr.Holton.

  "It's true, all right." Bob stoutly defended himself and his chum. "Ifyou say the word I'll prove it."

  Mr. Holton smiled. He took a great delight in arguing in a friendlymanner with his son, although at times he was forced to admit defeat.This time he was satisfied to drop the matter and turn his eyes to thewestern sky, where the sun, a great ball of red fire, was sliding intothe bluish waters of the Mediterranean. Gradually the ball faded fromview, leaving a soft blue sky, which a moment later became streakedwith long gold streamers. At last these became molded into one greatmass of color and light, crossed and dotted with every hue of therainbow. Slowly the spectacle faded from view, and the sky became awarm blue, out of which came countless glittering stars.

  It was a wonderful sight, and although the adventurers had witnessedit several times before, they never seemed to tire of it. Bob and Joeespecially were deeply stirred.

  "Now that we've seen our last sunset on this voyage, suppose we getour belongings together," said Mr. Holton, getting up from his chair."It won't be long until we reach Algiers."

  "And if what we've heard is true, it's a wonderful city," added Mr.Lewis. "Has the most unusual blend of things Arab and European on theglobe. Monuments, mosques, palaces, everything and more thatcharacterizes the spirit of North Africa."

  He arose and led the way up the deck to the cabin, where alreadypeople were gathering to await the first sight of land. Among thepassengers were brightly garbed Egyptians, Algerians, Arabs, and manyothers with quaint and picturesque costumes. Everyone was in a gaymood, laughing and talking merrily. That is, all but two tall Arabs,whose quiet gaze was fixed on Bob, Joe, and the others of the Americanexpedition. That the men intended mischief was sensed by the boys,although their elders had caught no element of danger.

  "Wonder what they want?" murmured Bob, in an undertone to his chum."Fact is, I've noticed them before, but never said anything about it.They seem to follow us, for some reason or other."

  Joe nodded.

  "I've thought the same thing," he said quietly. "But as they made nomove against us, I almost forgot about it till now."

  The youths said no more until they reached their stateroom, which wasdirectly across the hall from that of their elders. As soon as theirbelongings were together, Bob decided to mention the matter to hisfather and friends.

  "Ten to one they haven't noticed these men," he said to Joe, "and itmight be best for us to put 'em wise."

  The youths found their companions preparing to leave for the deck andmotioned for them to come in the room. Then Bob told of the actions ofthe two Arabs, pointing out that they probably had no good intentions.

  The men listened closely, eager to get all the details. When the boyswere finished, Mr. Lewis looked grave.

  "They probably heard Dr. Kirshner mention the hidden treasure," hesaid soberly, at the same time glancing about as if he expected tosee the Arabs at the door.

  "Hidden treasure? What treasure?" demanded Joe excitedly, while Boblooked up in surprise.

  "It may only be a yarn," replied Dr. Kirshner. "In fact I just heardabout it this morning. An intelligent Arab with whom I made friendspointed out that he had definite information that there were greatriches amassed in a cave in the heart of the Sahara Desert. It seemsthat they had been placed there by native tribesmen, or Tuaregs, whoinhabited this region hundreds of years ago. Tuaregs even today arevery fond of raiding caravans and small towns. Got it in their blood,I guess." He paused a moment for breath, and Bob seized upon theopportunity.

  "But why did the Arab tell you this?" he asked. "Didn't he know----"

  "I know what you're thinking," the scientist interrupted. "You'rewondering why I got in on this. I did too at the start. But as soon ashe had finished with the details, he told me that he was not equal tomaking the expedition alone and had no relatives or good friends toaccompany him. He went on to say that few expeditions are sent outinto those remote regions, and that he would gladly share the treasurewith us if we would go with him.

  "Now as this treasure cave is supposedly in the region that weintended to explore, your dads and I could see no reason for nottaking him up. His services as a guide will also be invaluable."

  "But--but how does he know where to search?" questioned Joe Lewis, histone indicating that he was greatly puzzled.

  "He has a map," returned the archaeologist.
"Got it from an oldtribesman who was about to die. Whether or not it is accurate, we haveyet to see--if nothing prevents us," he added significantly.

  "Nothing will--if we can help it," said Bob, delighted at such anopportunity.

  A few minutes later they lugged their possessions out on deck. Andthey were none too soon, for it was scarcely ten minutes later thatthe lights of land became visible--dimly, of course, but they werethere.

  "At last," sighed Mr. Holton, who, although he enjoyed the longvoyage, was anxious to reach his destination.

  Although land was a great distance away, the adventurers went to theprow to catch a first glimpse of that mysterious country on which theywould soon set foot.

  Bob and Joe watched closely as the myriad of lights grew more plain. Astronger beam flashed from the Cape Matifou lighthouse, and numerouslights from ships in and about the harbor were also visible. No morecould be seen. But it was enough. Bob and Joe were convinced thatAlgiers was a charming city indeed.

  "How large a place is it?" asked Joe, as the _Sylvania_ neared theport.

  "About two hundred and fifty thousand," returned Mr. Holton. "And alldifferent races, from Americans to Turks and Jews. Oh, we'll seesights all right."

  Gradually the boat pulled into the harbor, reversed her engines, andstopped at a large dock. Then among lights the gangplank was lowered,and the boys and their elders soon found themselves among the manyhurrying passengers. Lights were everywhere, almost as numerous as inan American city, and they had no trouble in finding their way to ahotel.

  "Oh, by the way," exclaimed Joe with a sudden recollection, "whatbecame of your friend the Arab--the one who knows about the hiddentreasure?"

  "He's at another hotel," replied Dr. Kirshner. "I have his address onpaper. We'll go over there in the morning. He had already madereservations at this hostelry or would have put up with us."

  The remainder of that evening was spent quietly, for the explorerswere tired after the long journey on the _Sylvania_.

  Bob and Joe were up early the next morning, and after a small butsatisfying breakfast they started out for a short walk. But they hadscarcely covered a square when Joe, who had happened to glance back,stopped suddenly and nudged his friend.

  Bob looked, and an answering expression of surprise and anger came onhis face.

  Walking slowly into the hotel were the two Arabs who had acted sosuspiciously on the ship.