Volume I Part 73 (1/2)

What did it h Monte-Cristo's brain

He rushed back to his tent The couch was empty--Spero was not there!

The terrible truth burst on his ned

The bandits had stolen his boy!

The strong man wept; but, as a hot tear fell on his hand, he shook his head like a lion aroused frola!”

CHAPTER LV

”DO NOT DIE, CAPTAIN!”

We left Captain Joliette at the es commanded by the marabout entered his cell, and a voice had called to him:

”Do not die, captain!”

”Kill him! kill him!” shouted the crowd

Thehis lean hand on the prisoner's shoulder, said:

”There is but one God, and Mahomet is his prophet!”

The effect of these words on the populace was ical They all fell back and opened a space for the approach of a roup of horsemen

”The Khouans! the Khouans!” hispered from one to the other

They all crowded around and kissed the mantle of the chief

”You are all cowardly murderers!” cried Albert ”Make an end of it”

”You want to die?” said the chief ”All right; but I warn you that your agonies will be terrible!”

Upon a wink fro out the other prisoners!” commanded the Arab chieftain

They were thirty in number, all French soldiers, and upon the direction of the chief they were led past the post to which Albert was tied

”Long live our captain!” they cried, as they caught a glimpse of his uniform

Tears started in Albert's eyes, and he loudly joined in the cry

The rear of the procession was brought up by a strange-looking person