Arrangements were quickly made for the boys and the professor to mount behind three of the Bedouins. Zenas was assisted to his seat behind a thin, dirty chap, and told to cling fast to the man by clasping him around the body. This the old pedagogue did, although he made a wry face over it. Dick could not wonder at Gunn’s repulsion, for he, also, found himself mounted behind an unkempt rascal, whose matted hair and beard looked as if it might be infested, and who gave forth anything but an agreeable odor. When all were ready, the Bedouins uttered a yell, and, with their chief in advance, went tearing across the barren country. That was a ride long to be remembered. Mile after mile was covered at high speed by the spirited horses. When the animals bearing double burdens showed signs of flagging, the Bedouins halted and our friends changed to other horses. The sun grew hot and beat upon them with baking fierceness. The air was dry and their throats parched. The country became wilder and wilder. Once they saw another camel train in the distance. At last they entered a hilly region, where there was more vegetation. Finally, from an elevation, they saw before them a group of black tents, not far from which, in a valley, were some herds. Straight toward the square black tents rode the Bedouins. As they approached a number of their own people were seen waiting for them. Buckhart was craning his neck and peering over the shoulder of his companion on horseback, hoping to obtain a glimpse of Nadia; but no female was to be seen about the encampment. With a yell the desert Nomads swept down to the camp and leaped from their horses, which they immediately turned over to the care of other men. Professor Gunn was exhausted, and he reeled like an intoxicated man as soon as he stood upon his feet. Dick looked around searchingly. Ali Beha appeared before him. “Where are our friends?” impatiently asked the boy. “Peace,” said the chief. “Thou should not be impatient. Before thou canst see them it is necessary that thou shouldst be searched for hidden weapons.” Merriwell took a step forward, assailed by sudden forebodings and suspicions. He saw the fierce-looking men gathered close about them, each with weapons ready for use. Buckhart, also, was startled and aroused. He pressed to Dick’s side, hissing: “Something crooked, pard! I’m afraid we’re trapped!” “Why should we be disarmed?” demanded Dick. “We are harmless and——” “It is the rule,” said Ali Beha grimly. “No one not of our people shall be permitted to carry arms while among us. There can be no exception for thee.” “It sure is a trap!” whispered the Texan. “If we give up our arms, we’re goners!” Dick thought swiftly, and he decided at once that resistance was folly. Were they to attempt it, they would be crushed, perhaps murdered, in a twinkling. “We’re in your hands, Ali Beha,” he said. “We have trusted you, and we must continue to do so.”