Part 4 (2/2)

But the Arabs were not fighting with such Stone-Age weapons. They carried long-barreled guns, that could pick off a bowman far beyond arrow range, and their swift horses and camels could keep them safe from attack.

”Dan, you keep close to me!” exclaimed d.i.c.k. ”I'll need you to act as my lieutenant. This is going to be a real sc.r.a.p!”

d.i.c.k saw at a glance that the battle would have to be carried on from the cliffs. There the Taharans and Gorols would have the advantage of cover and the Arab horses would be useless in fighting.

Yet he knew that a sharp resistance would weaken the Arab force and lessen their confidence. The first line of battle he entrusted to Raal and a force of picked Taharan archers.

”Post your men between the desert sands and the Sacred Spring,” d.i.c.k ordered. ”Let each man find shelter behind a rock and see to it that he can retreat to the cliffs at top speed. Then as soon as the enemy comes within bow-shot let drive at him with arrows and retreat, still shooting. Post a second line closer to the spring. And a third beside the water.”

”I hear, O Master. I obey!”

Without losing a moment Raal ordered his archers to find an ambush shutting off the invaders from the spring. d.i.c.k knew well that the cool water would be the first thing these raiders would want after the long trip across the blistering hot sands. No matter how full their water bags had been at the start, they would be empty now.

The spring would be the first point of attack.

Dan studied the Arabs through the binoculars. ”There are hundreds of them,” he cried, ”on horses and camels! They are a fierce looking gang of bandits.”

”Raal will tame them when they get within bowshot,” said d.i.c.k.

Meanwhile Kulki in command of the Gorols, took up a position on the cliff edge, while all the small children and old people of the cave dwellers, hurried to find shelter in the mountains.

The older children and the women brought big stones to the edge of the cliff to roll down upon the invaders.

All these preparations had gone forward with breathless haste, for the Arab raiders were closing in fast.

Leaving Dan behind, d.i.c.k advanced to meet them, carrying a white flag; one of the first fabrics woven on his looms. He did not want to begin hostilities until he was quite certain that the Arabs were bent on war, and waved the flag as a signal.

But d.i.c.k was not long left in doubt as to their hostile purpose.

The Arabs began shooting at the flag of truce long before they were within rifle range. Bullets threw up puffs of dust in the desert and d.i.c.k retreated to the first line, where archers were crouching behind scattered boulders, and took refuge.

The thunder of hoof beats was loud in his ears, the tossing heads and flying foam of the horses showed clearly, before d.i.c.k shouted:

”Let them have it!”

Raal echoed his command. ”Let them have it! Tahara, hal!”

Instantly the band of hors.e.m.e.n was stung by a cloud of arrows. Horses and riders were pierced by the flint-tipped arrows and a dozen saddles showed empty as the horses galloped on.

There was a shout of rage and surprise. The raiders had expected no such fierce resistance and some shrieked to Allah and Mohammed, his prophet, while others vented screams of pain.

”Slay them! The dogs of unbelievers!” shouted Abdul, their leader.

A crackling volley of rifle shots rang out, bullets whined through the air and flattened themselves upon the boulders and the troop swerved sharply to one side.

”Another!” cried d.i.c.k. ”Give it to them!”

Again arrows stung them like hornets and the Bedouins, firing wildly, were thrown into confusion.

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