"You hold on, Gen'ral, till I get through. We might shoot things up consid'able, both of us, an' when we got through there wouldn't be enough of us left to get back home with. If you start anything, Selim, we'll raise you the limit; but there's no sense to it. _I_ say, let's each of us divvy up the loot an' dig out for home." That Schoverling had not considered any division of the cache was evident, and he considered Jack's speech silently. Selim, however, smiled again. "My young friend, you are very wise. Mr. Schoverling, perhaps we might agree on that basis. A fight would be costly to each of us, and might leave us unable to get home, as is suggested. I am none too anxious to stay in this land after the tales you tell. I recognize the fact that you have the advantage of having the treasure in your power, and see no reason why we should not share it and be gone." Schoverling hesitated as Selim spoke. He plainly realized the force of the argument, and yet to give up even a share of the ivory and dust went against the grain. Perhaps he doubted the good faith of his friend the enemy, but in any case von Hofe's grunt of approbation decided him. "It iss goot," said the doctor anxiously. "We haf come for elephant, please." "All right," and the American's face cleared as he held out his hand to the Arab. "We'll split even, Selim!" "Hurray!" shouted Charlie in delight. "Bully for you, General! Good work, Jack!" "That is entirely agreeable," smiled Selim, as he gripped Schoverling's hand. "Now, my friends, we have been in this country for two days, and I have many affairs to get back to. There is no reason why we should delay here for an hour. It is still two hours to sunset, and our camels could cover much ground before then. So, if you are willing, let us divide the spoils and I will trouble you no more." "That suits us," exclaimed the explorer, springing to his feet. "Come along and we'll have a look at the stuff." Casting a glance opposite as they arose, Charlie saw that the Arabs had started a fire and seemed to be eating, while the camels grazed. The party left the zareba and moved over to the stockade. Jack threw the canvas from the two piles, and for a moment the Arab's eyes glittered as he surveyed the great heap of ivory. "Those tusks," he said, "will be hard for us to carry off. We had thought to sling them on our camels, but after our experience of that desert to the north it would make hard work, I fear." "Well," suggested Charlie, "you might swap your share of the ivory for some of our gold-dust. That would make it easier to carry." "Yes," added the General thoughtfully. "We can carry the tusks easily enough in the wagon. There are sixteen each, Selim, and the same number of bags. Here's one I cut open." The Arab ran the soft gold-dust through his fingers for a moment.