Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustrations. See 43267-h.htm or 43267-h.zip: (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/43267/43267-h/43267-h.htm) or (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/43267/43267-h.zip) [Illustration: The rough-looking Arabs darted out and surrounded the Americans. (_Page 191_)] CAPTURED BY THE ARABS by JAMES FOSTER A. L. Burt Company, Publishers New York Chicago Copyright, 1933, by A. 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 * * * * * * 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 he sat 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 deeply touched. He, like his chum, had often pictured this mission into the heart 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 archæologist, looked up from the book he was reading. His bronzed face took on a wide smile as he scrutinized the two young men.