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 Discrete
Mathematics
 Boca Raton London New York

CRC Press is an imprint of the

Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
A TA Y L O R & F R A N C I S B O O K
Taylor & Francis
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Version Date: 20131121

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Contents

Contents v

Preface to the Third Edition ix

Preface to the Second Edition xi

Preface to the First Edition xiii

List of Symbols xvii

Chapter 1: Logic 1

1.1 Propositions and Truth Values 1

1.2 Logical Connectives and Truth Tables 2

1.3 Tautologies and Contradictions 13

1.4 Logical Equivalence and Logical Implication 15

1.5 The Algebra of Propositions 22

1.6 Arguments 26
vi Contents

1.7 Formal Proof of the Validity of Arguments 29

1.8 Predicate Logic 35

1.9 Arguments in Predicate Logic 45

Chapter 2: Mathematical Proof 50

2.1 The Nature of Proof 50

2.2 Axioms and Axiom Systems 51

2.3 Methods of Proof 55

2.4 Mathematical Induction 69

Chapter 3: Sets 79

3.1 Sets and Membership 79

3.2 Subsets 85

3.3 Operations on Sets 91

3.4 Counting Techniques 100

3.5 The Algebra of Sets 104

3.6 Families of Sets 111

3.7 The Cartesian Product 122

3.8 Types and Typed Set Theory 134

Chapter 4: Relations 154

4.1 Relations and Their Representations 154

4.2 Properties of Relations 164

4.3 Intersections and Unions of Relations 171

 Contents vii

4.4 Equivalence Relations and Partitions 175

4.5 Order Relations 188

4.6 Hasse Diagrams 198

4.7 Application: Relational Databases 205

Chapter 5: Functions 220

5.1 Definitions and Examples 220

5.2 Composite Functions 238

5.3 Injections and Surjections 246

5.4 Bijections and Inverse Functions 260

5.5 More on Cardinality 270

5.6 Databases: Functional Dependence and Normal Forms 277

Chapter 6: Matrix Algebra 291

6.1 Introduction 291

6.2 Some Special Matrices 294

6.3 Operations on Matrices 296

6.4 Elementary Matrices 308

6.5 The Inverse of a Matrix 318

Chapter 7: Systems of Linear Equations 331

7.1 Introduction 331

7.2 Matrix Inverse Method 337

7.3 Gauss–Jordan Elimination 342

7.4 Gaussian Elimination 355

viii Contents

Chapter 8: Algebraic Structures 361

8.1 Binary Operations and Their Properties 361

8.2 Algebraic Structures 370

8.3 More about Groups 379

8.4 Some Families of Groups 384

8.5 Substructures 396

8.6 Morphisms 404

8.7 Group Codes 418

Chapter 9: Introduction to Number Theory 436

9.1 Divisibility 437

9.2 Prime Numbers 449

9.3 Linear Congruences 460

9.4 Groups in Modular Arithmetic 473

9.5 Public Key Cryptography 479

Chapter 10: Boolean Algebra 492

10.1 Introduction 492

10.2 Properties of Boolean Algebras 496

10.3 Boolean Functions 503

10.4 Switching Circuits 520

10.5 Logic Networks 529

10.6 Minimization of Boolean Expressions 536

 Contents ix

Chapter 11: Graph Theory 548

11.1 Definitions and Examples 548

11.2 Paths and Cycles 561

11.3 Isomorphism of Graphs 575

11.4 Trees 582

11.5 Planar Graphs 591

11.6 Directed Graphs 600

Chapter 12: Applications of Graph Theory 611

12.1 Introduction 611

12.2 Rooted Trees 612

12.3 Sorting 626

12.4 Searching Strategies 643

12.5 Weighted Graphs 652

12.6 The Shortest Path and Travelling Salesman Problems 660

12.7 Networks and Flows 673

References and Further Reading 687

Hints and Solutions to

Selected Exercises 692

Index 798
Preface to the Third Edition

The most obvious change from the first two editions of this text is its title.
We believe that the new title, Discrete Mathematics: Proofs, Structures and
Applications, provides a better description of the book. This book was originally
published under the title Discrete Mathematics for New Technology, a title
we were never entirely comfortable with for two reasons. Firstly, it was not
really clear which ‘new technology’ was being referred to and, furthermore, one
decade’s new technology is frequently the next decade’s obsolete technology.
Secondly, although we had originally conceptualised the text as providing the
discrete mathematical background for undergraduate computer science students,
it was apparent that the book had a much wider readership including mathematics
undergraduates, education students, practising scientists and others.

Our philosophy had always been to provide, so far as we were able, a rigorous
and accessible exposition of the mathematics and not to tie the text too closely to
any application domain or community. Perhaps this is part of the reason for the
wide readership that the book has enjoyed. We have maintained this approach in
the current edition. So, whilst we believe that the book continues to provide much
of the core mathematical underpinning for computer science, we hope others will
continue to find the text accessible, informative and enjoyable.

In the eight years since the publication of the second edition, we have continued
to received feedback on the text from users. The feedback has remained
complimentary about the clarity of our exposition and, since correcting known
errors for the second edition, there have been few comments pointing out errors
or suggesting ways in which the text could be improved. Nevertheless, through
our own use of the text, we have continued to log errors of substance or style and
we have corrected these in the current edition.

ix
x Preface to the Third Edition

The principal changes in this new edition are an expanded chapter 1 and a new
chapter 9 on number theory. The revised chapter 1 includes a new section on the
formal proof of the validity of arguments in propositional logic. This means that
we now consider formal proofs first in the context of propositional logic before
moving on to predicate logic. The new chapter 9 covers elementary number
theory and congruences. This allows us to explore in a little more depth some
of the groups that arise in modular arithmetic. The significant application that
we explore is the so-called public key encryption scheme, called RSA encryption,
that underpins much of the secure transmission of data on the internet. Although
the mathematics behind the RSA system is reasonably straightforward, it does
provide a practical, secure and widely used means of encrypting data. As
one of our reviewers noted, this encryption scheme represents a premier ‘new
technology’.

We wish to acknowledge, with thanks, colleagues who have commented on

previous versions of the text. John Taylor is also grateful to the University
of Brighton for a sabbatical period which was devoted in part to writing the
new chapter 9 and the accompanying solutions manual. Nevertheless, as in the
previous editions, any remaining shortcomings are ours and we have no one to
blame for them but each other.

RG and JT
June 2009
Preface to the Second Edition

In the nine years since the publication of the first edition, we have received
feedback on the text from a number of users, both teachers and students. Most
have been complimentary about the clarity of our exposition, some have pointed
out errors of detail or historical accuracy and others have suggested ways in which
the text could be improved. In this edition we have attempted to retain the style
of exposition, correct the (known) errors and implement various improvements
suggested by users.

When writing the first edition, we took a conscious decision not to root the
mathematical development in a particular method or language that was current
within the formal methods community. Our priority was to give a thorough
treatment of the mathematics as we felt this was likely to be more stable over
time than particular methodologies. In a discipline like computing which evolves
rapidly and where the future direction is uncertain, a secure grounding in theory
is important. We have continued with this philosophy in the second edition.
Thus, for example, Z made no appearance in the first edition, and the object
constraint language (OCL) or the B method make no appearance in this edition.
Although the discipline of computing has indeed changed considerably since
the publication of the first edition, the core mathematical requirements of the
undergraduate curricula have remained surprisingly constant. For example, in
the UK, the computing benchmark for undergraduate courses, published by the
Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) in April 2000, requires
undergraduate programmes to present ‘coherent underpinning theory’. In the
USA, the joint ACM/IEEE Computer Society Curriculum 2001 project lists
‘Discrete Structures’ (sets, functions, relations, logic, proof, counting, graphs
and trees) as one of the 14 knowledge areas in the computing curriculum ‘to
emphasize the dependency of computing on discrete mathematics’.

xi
xii Preface to the Second Edition

In this edition we have included a new section on typed set theory and
subsequently we show how relations and functions fit into the typed world. We
have also introduced a specification approach to mathematical operations, via
signatures, preconditions and postconditions. Computing undergraduates will be
familiar with types from the software design and implementation parts of their
course and we hope our use of types will help tie together the mathematical
underpinnings more closely with software development practice. For the
mathematicians using the text, this work has a payoff in providing a framework
in which Russell’s paradox can be avoided, for example.

The principal shortcoming reported by users of the first edition was the inclusion
of relatively few exercises at a routine level to develop and reinforce the
mathematical concepts introduced in the text. In the second edition, we have
added many new exercises (and solutions) which we hope will enhance the
usefulness of the text to teachers and students alike. Also included are a number
of new examples designed to reinforce the concepts introduced.

We wish to acknowledge, with thanks, our colleagues who have commented

on and thus improved various drafts of additional material included in the
second edition. In particular, we thank Paul Courtney, Gerald Gallacher, John
Howse, Brian Spencer and our reviewers for their knowledgeable and thoughtful
comments. We would also like to thank those—most notably Peter Kirkegaard—
who spotted errors in the first edition or made suggestions for improving the text.
Nevertheless, any remaining shortcomings are ours and we have no one to blame
for them but each other.

RG and JT
April 2001
Preface to the First Edition

This book aims to present in an accessible yet rigorous way the core mathematics
requirement for undergraduate computer science students at British universities
and polytechnics. Selections from the material could also form a one- or two-
semester course at freshman–sophomore level at American colleges. The formal
mathematical prerequisites are covered by the GCSE in the UK and by high-
school algebra in the USA. However, the latter part of the text requires a certain
level of mathematical sophistication which, we hope, will be developed during
the reading of the book.

Over 30 years ago the discipline of computer science hardly existed, except as
a subdiscipline of mathematics. Computers were seen, to a large extent, as
the mathematician’s tool. As a result, the machines spent a large proportion of
their time cranking through approximate numerical solutions to algebraic and
differential equations and the mathematics ‘appropriate’ for the computer scientist
was the theory of equations, calculus, numerical analysis and the like.

Since that time computer science has become a discipline in its own right and has
spawned its own subdisciplines. The nature and sophistication of both hardware
and software have changed dramatically over the same time period. Perhaps less
public, but no less dramatic, has been the parallel development of undergraduate
computer science curricula and the mathematics which underpins it. Indeed, the
whole relationship between mathematics and computer science has changed so
that mathematics is now seen more as the servant of computer science than vice
versa as was the case formerly.

Various communities and study groups on both sides of the Atlantic have studied
and reported upon the core mathematics requirements for computer scientists
educated and trained at various levels. The early emphasis on continuous

xiii
xiv Preface to the First Edition

mathematics in general, and numerical methods in particular, has disappeared.

There is now wide agreement that the essential mathematics required for computer
scientists comes from the area of ‘discrete mathematics’. There is, however, less
agreement concerning the detailed content and emphasis of a core mathematics
course.

Discrete mathematics encompasses a very wide range of mathematical topics and

we have necessarily been selective in our choice of material. Our starting point
was a report of the M2 Study Group of the 1986 Undergraduate Mathematics
Teaching Conference held at the University of Nottingham. Their report,
published in 1987, suggested an outline syllabus for a first-year mathematics
course for computer science undergraduates. All the topic areas (with the
exception of probability theory) suggested in the outline are covered in this text.
We have also been influenced in our selection of material by various courses at
the freshman–sophomore level offered by institutions in the USA.

Ultimately the selection, presentation and emphasis of the material in this book
were based on our own judgements. We have attempted to include the essential
mathematical material required by undergraduate computer scientists in a first
course. However, one of our key aims is to develop in students the rigorous
logical thinking which, we believe, is essential if computer science graduates are
to adapt to the demands of their rapidly developing discipline. Our approach is
informal. We have attempted to keep prerequisites to an absolute minimum and
to maintain a level of discussion within the reach of the student. In the process,
we have not sacrificed the mathematical rigour which we believe to be important
if mathematics is to be used in a meaningful way.

Our priority has been to give a sound and thorough treatment of the mathematics.
We also felt that it was important to place the theory in context by including
a selection of the more salient applications. It is our belief that mathematical
applications can be readily assimilated only when a firm mathematical foundation
has been laid. Too frequently, students are exposed to concepts requiring
mathematical background before the background has been adequately provided.
We hope this text will provide such a foundation.

In order to keep the book within manageable proportions and still provide some
applications, we have been forced to omit certain topics such as finite state
machines and formal languages. Although such topics are relevant to computer
scientists and others, we felt that they were not central to the mathematical core
of the text. We believe that the book will provide a sound background for readers
who wish to explore these and other areas.

As our writing of the text progressed and its content was discussed with
colleagues, we became increasingly conscious that we were presenting material
 Preface to the First Edition xv

which lies at the very foundation of mathematics itself. It seems likely that
discrete mathematics will become an increasingly important part of mathematics
curricula at all levels in the coming years. Given our emphasis on a sound and
thorough development of mathematical concepts, this text would be appropriate
for undergraduate mathematicians following a course in discrete mathematics.
The first half of the book could also be recommended reading for the aspiring
mathematics undergraduate in the summer before he or she enters university.

The approximate interdependence of the various parts of the text is shown in the
diagram below. There are various sections which are concerned largely with
applications (or further development) of the theory and which may be omitted
without jeopardizing the understanding of later material. The most notable of
these are §§4.7, 5.5, 5.6 and 8.7.

We wish to acknowledge with thanks our families, friends and colleagues for
their encouragement. In particular we would like to thank Dr Paul Milican, Paul
Douglas and Alice Tomič for their advice and comments on various parts of the
xvi Preface to the First Edition

manuscript. Our reviewers provided many helpful comments and suggestions for
which we are grateful. If the text contains any errors or stylistic misjudgements,
we can only blame each other. The technical services staff at Richmond College
and Jim Revill and Al Troyano at IOP Publishing also deserve our thanks for their
patience with us during the development of this text. Last, but not least, we wish
to thank Pam Taylor for providing (at short notice) the ideas and sketches for the
cartoons.

RG and JT
July 1990
List of Symbols

The following is a list of symbols introduced in this book together with their
interpretations and the section where each is defined.

Symbol Interpretation Section

p̄ negation of the proposition p 1.2

p∧q conjunction of the propositions p and q 1.2
p∨q inclusive disjunction of the propositions p and q 1.2
pYq exclusive disjunction of the propositions p and q 1.2
p→q conditional proposition ‘if p then q’ 1.2
p↔q biconditional proposition ‘p if and only if q’ 1.2
t tautology 1.3
f contradiction 1.3
P ≡Q logical equivalence of P and Q 1.4
P `Q the proposition P logically implies the proposi-
tion Q 1.4
P (x) propositional function with variable x 1.4
∀ the universal quantifier 1.8
∃ the existential quantifier 1.8
¬ negation of a propositional function or of a
quantified propositional function 1.8
P ⇒Q Q is logically implied by P in conjunction with
axioms and theorems which apply to the system 2.3
P ⇔Q P ⇒ Q and Q ⇒ P 2.3
a∈A the element a belongs to the set A 3.1
a∈/A the element a does not belong to the set A 3.1
∅ the empty set 3.1
|A| the cardinality of the set A 3.1
xvii
xviii List of Symbols

A⊆B the set A is a subset of the set B 3.2

A⊂B the set A is a proper subset of the set B 3.2
A 6⊆ B the set A is not a subset of the set B 3.2
A⊇B the set A is a superset of the set B 3.2
U the universal set 3.2
N the set of natural numbers 3.2
Z the set of integers 3.2
Q the set of rational numbers 3.2
R the set of real numbers 3.2
C the set of complex numbers 3.2
E the set of even numbers 3.2
O the set of odd numbers 3.2
Z+ the set of positive integers 3.2
Z− the set of negative integers 3.6
Q+ the set of positive rational numbers 3.2
R+ the set of positive real numbers 3.2
E+ the set of positive even numbers 5.4
O+ the set of positive odd numbers 5.5
A∩B the intersection of the sets A and B 3.3
A∪B the union of the sets A and B 3.3
Ā the complement of the set A 3.3
A−B the difference of the sets A and B 3.3
n
\
Ar the intersection of the sets A1 , A2 , . . . , An 3.3
r=1

n
[
Ar the union of the sets A1 , A2 , . . . , An 3.3
r=1

A∗B the symmetric difference of the sets A and B 3.5

P(A) the power set of the set A 3.6
\
Ai the intersection of the family of sets {Ai : i ∈ 3.6
i∈I I}
[
Ai the union of the family of sets {Ai : i ∈ I} 3.6
i∈I

A×B the Cartesian product of the sets A and B 3.7

X2 the Cartesian product X × X 3.7
aR±b the element a is related to the element b 4.1
aRb the element a is not related to the element b 4.1
IA the identity relation on the set A 4.1
 List of Symbols xix

UA the universal relation on the set A 4.1

R−1 the inverse relation of the relation R 4.1
S◦R the composite of the relations R and S 4.3
[x] the equivalence class of the element x 4.4
a ≡n b a is congruent modulo n to b, i.e. a − b = kn for
some integer k (see also section 9.3) 4.4
+n addition modulo n 4.4
×n multiplication modulo n 4.4
Zn the set of equivalence classes under congruence
modulo n, i.e. {[0], [1], . . . , [n − 1]} 4.4
bxc the integer part of the real number x, i.e. the
largest integer less than or equal to x 4.4
[a, b) the half-open interval {x ∈ R : a 6 x < b} 4.4
(a, b] the half-open interval {x ∈ R : a < x 6 b} 4.4
[a, b] the closed interval {x ∈ R : a 6 x 6 b} 4.5
(a, b) the open interval {x ∈ R : a < x < b} 4.5
n|m n divides m 4.5
f :A→B a function f from the set A to the set B, i.e. a
function with domain A and codomain B 5.1
f (a) the image of the element a under the function f 5.1
f : a 7→ b for the function f the image of the element a is b 5.1
idA the identity function with domain and
codomain A 5.1
im(f ) the image set of the function f , i.e. the subset of
the codomain of f which contains the images of
all elements in the domain 5.1
f (C) the image of the set C under the function f 5.1
f −1 (D) the inverse image of the set D under the
function f 5.1
f ◦g the composite of the functions f and g, where
f ◦ g(x) = f [g(x)] 5.2
iC inclusion function of a subset C in a set A 5.2
f |C restriction of the function f to a subset C of its
domain 5.2
P the set of prime numbers 5.5
ℵ0 the cardinality of Z+ 5.5
c the cardinality of R 5.5
aij the element in the matrix A occupying the ith
row and jth column 6.1
[aij ] the matrix with (i, j)-entry aij 6.1
Om×n the m × n zero matrix 6.2
In the n × n identity matrix 6.2
AT the transpose of the matrix A 6.2
A∼B the matrix A is row-equivalent to the matrix B 6.4
xx List of Symbols

A−1 the multiplicative inverse of the matrix A 6.5

(A B) the partitioned matrix with submatrices A and B 6.5
(A b) the augmented matrix of a system of linear
equations with matrix of coefficients A 7.3
e the identity with respect to a binary operation 8.1
(S, ∗) the algebraic structure with underlying set S and
binary operation ∗ 8.2
A∗ the set of all strings over the alphabet A 8.2
λ the empty string 8.2
(G, ∗) the group with underlying set G and binary
operation ∗ 8.3
Dn the dihedral group of degree n 8.4
Sn the symmetric group of degree n 8.4
(G1 , ∗) 6 (G2 , ◦) the group (G1 , ∗) is a subgroup of the group
(G2 , ◦) 8.5
Cn the group of rotations of a regular n-sided
polygon 8.5
|g| the order of an element g ∈ G of a group (G, ∗) 8.5
(G1 , ∗) ∼
= (G2 , ◦) the groups (G1 , ∗) and (G2 , ◦) are isomorphic 8.6
ker f the kernel of a morphism f : G1 → G2 where
(G1 , ∗) and (G2 , ◦) are groups 8.6
d(x, y) the distance between the binary words x and y 8.7
Bn the set of binary words of length n 8.7
w(x) the weight of the binary word x 8.7
x⊕y the n bit word whose ith bit is the sum modulo
2 of the ith bits of the n bit words x and y 8.7
b|a the integer b divides the integer a 9.1
gcd(a, b) the greatest common divisor of a and b 9.1
a ≡ b mod n a is congruent to b modulo n, i.e. a − b = kn for
some integer k (see also section 4.4) 9.3
φ(n) the number of integers a where 1 6 a 6 n 9.5
which are coprime to n
(B, ⊕, ∗,¯, 0, 1) the Boolean algebra with underlying set B,
binary operations ⊕ and ∗, complement
operation ¯, and identities 0 and 1 under ⊕ and ∗
respectively 10.1
b̄ the complement of the element b ∈ B, the
underlying set of a Boolean algebra 10.1
me1 e2 ...en the minterm x1 e1 x2 e2 . . . xn en where e1 = 0 or
1 (i = 1, 2, . . . , n) and
(
ei x̄i if ei = 0
xi = 10.3
xi if e1 = 1
 List of Symbols xxi

Me1 e2 ...en the maxterm x1 e1 ⊕ x2 e2 ⊕ · · · ⊕ xn en where

e1 = 0 or 1 (i = 1, 2,
( . . . , n) and
x̄i if ei = 0
xi ei = 10.3
xi if e1 = 1
the switch denoted by A 10.4
S̄ a switch which is always in the opposite state to
another switch S 10.4
AND-gate 10.5

OR-gate 10.5
NOT-gate 10.5
NAND-gate 10.5

NOR-gate 10.5
δ(e) the set of vertices incident to the edge e of a
graph 11.1
Cn the cycle graph with n vertices 11.1
Wn the wheel graph with n vertices 11.1
deg(v) the degree of the vertex v of a graph 11.1
Kn the complete graph with n vertices 11.1
Kn,m the complete bipartite graph on n and m vertices 11.1
A(Γ) the adjacency matrix for the graph Γ 11.1
Γ6Σ the graph Γ is a subgraph of the graph Σ 11.1
Γ+Σ the sum of the graphs Γ and Σ 11.1
Γ∪Σ the union of the graphs Γ and Σ 11.1
Γ∼=Σ the graphs Γ and Σ are isomorphic 11.3
E(v, w) the set of edges joining the vertices v and w of a
graph 11.3
δ(e) the ordered pair of initial and final vertices of the
(directed) edge e of a directed graph 11.6
(T, v ∗ ) the rooted tree with root v ∗ 12.2
(L, {v}, R) the binary tree with root v, left subtree L and
right subtree R 12.2
a6b a R b where a, b ∈ A and A is a totally ordered
set under the order relation R 12.3
w(e) the weight of the edge e of a weighted graph 12.5
w(Γ0 ) the weight of the subgraph Γ0 of a weighted
graph Γ 12.5
w(v1 , v2 ) the weight of the unique edge joining vertices v1
and v2 of a complete weighted graph 12.6
 Another Random Document on
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 "I have no work meet for these," said Abdullah, pointing to Hugh
and Gerald. "Toiling in the salt lakes of El Sog would turn their
brains, even as it did that of the unbeliever from the South.
Nevertheless, Wadherim, I am indifferent. Either the man or none."

The other sheikh paused ere replying.

"Then I must ask half a score sacks of dates besides the

gunpowder we agreed upon," he replied. "Abdullah, you were ever a
hard man, but in this matter I must have my way, since you will
have the best of the three."

The bargaining proceeded with considerable vehemence. Reeves

realized that unless something were done the dreaded separation
would become an accomplished fact, for the Sheikh Wadherim was
wavering in his demands.

"Boys," he said in a low voice, "eat what I give you;" and ere the
lads could comprehend the meaning of his words, the correspondent
bounded forward, dragging Hugh and Gerald with him. The guards
raised their spears and tried to intervene, thinking that the Kafirs
were about to throw themselves upon the sheikhs; but, ere they
could prevent it, Reeves had thrust his hand into the bowl of salt.

"Eat!" he exclaimed; and, to his satisfaction, both lads obeyed

without hesitation, placing the salt to their lips, while he did the
same.

Abdullah gave a shout of rage, and called to the attendant Arabs to

secure the unbelievers; but the Sheikh Wadherim silenced him by
holding up his hand.

"Peace be with you, brethren!" he exclaimed. "These Kafirs, even

though they be the sons of Shaitan, have shown no little courage
and cunning. They have partaken of my salt."

"Without your leave," muttered Abdullah.

 "But they have claimed a right, notwithstanding, and I must
acknowledge it."

The correspondent could hardly conceal his satisfaction. His ruse

had succeeded. By partaking of the sheikh's salt he and his
companions had, according to the custom of the Arabs from time
immemorial, secured his protection, and nothing short of the
shedding of blood by those who were under this protection could
release the chief from his obligations.

As for the lads, unable to understand the significance of their

action, they were beginning to feel the effects of the salt.

"Swallow it!" said Mr. Reeves sternly. "Swallow it! For Heaven's sake
don't spit it out! I'll tell you why later."

Striving to conceal his bad temper, the Sheikh Abdullah stood up,
grimly saluted the imperturbable Wadherim, and strode back to his
encampment, followed by the Baggara, while the now more friendly
chief clapped his hands as a signal for the three Kafirs to be
removed.

"You see, Hugh, I heard we were to be separated," explained Mr.

Reeves.

"Separated!" exclaimed both lads, in dismay. "When?"

"We were to have been, I ought to have said. But sneaking the
sheikh's salt altered the case. I don't think we shall be now. We may
also be better treated, being sort of inferior guests of the sheikh. I
only hope he won't put us under too much of an obligation, or it
would be rather low-down to give him the slip."

"If we do, where can we make for?" asked Gerald. "There are miles
of sand, and not a thing to guide us."
 "Except the sun and the stars," replied Mr. Reeves. "But the time is
hardly ripe to make an attempt yet. When we do, we must have a
good chance of success. Failure would be worse than death."

CHAPTER V

The Sandstorm
As Arthur Reeves had predicted, the captives were now better
treated by their Arab masters. The camel's rope was cut off,
although the iron chains still secured their wrists; and when the
camp was struck, and the march southwards was resumed, they
were allowed to take turns at riding upon one of the baggage
camels.

The two tribes parted peaceably at the oasis, with many shouts of
farewell and firing of guns; but there was no doubt that had the
followers of the Sheikh Abdullah been the more numerous, the
disappointed bargainer would not have hesitated to take the desired
Kafir from the Sheikh Wadherim's possession by force.

True to his vow, the latter reached El Keifa ere morning. This stage
of the journey was not so tedious as the first day's, the distance
being shorter, while there were two small intervening oases where
halts were made under the light of the stars.

Here the Arabs rested for the following day, for the next stage,
crossing a waterless tract of desert, where the only guide posts were
the bleached bones of camels that had fallen out by the way,
required at least forty hours to complete.

Just after sunset the laborious task commenced. The three captives
had each been provided with a dirty, ragged burnous, which during
the heat of the day protected not only the head but also the back.
Already the upper parts of their bodies were getting accustomed to
the sun. At first the skin burned a vivid red, but it soon acquired a
deep bronze tint. Well it was that the captives at this stage were
unable to make use of water for washing purposes, or their flesh
would have been raw with the effect of the fierce heat.

Throughout the long night the march continued, and long before
morning the lads, in spite of having a camel to ride between them—
for Reeves firmly refused to avail himself of the animal—were almost
crippled. Even the slow, measured, ungainly gait of the ship of the
desert caused their bones to ache, till the alternate rests seemed to
try them far more than tramping through the sand.

During the day the terrors of the march were intensified. Even
some of the Arabs—hardy sons of the desert—had to fall out,
although in every case a camel-man would chivalrously give up his
beast to the sufferer and trudge patiently on foot. Many of the
camels also sank upon the burning sand, never again to rise, while
in the rear of the column gaunt vultures hovered in dreadful
expectancy of a feast. The sheep and cattle, too, died in large
quantities, till the Sheikh Wadherim began to think that he would
arrive at his journey's end far poorer than when he set out for the
seacoast to enrich himself with the spoils of the Kafir invaders.
Strangely enough, the horses came off best. They were thoroughly
seasoned, and could stand the hardships of a day's journey better
than the camels, although had the distance been greater the
conditions would have been reversed.

Before the sun was low in the heavens, the camel that the lads had
been provided with was taken to assist a helpless Arab, and the
Englishmen had perforce to complete the journey afoot—if they
could. Mile after mile they trudged despairingly, without the heart to
speak a word. To them there seemed no end to their trials. Ahead
was the gently undulating desert, with its gruesome monuments of
sun-bleached bones, but nothing to indicate the oasis for which the
caravan was making.

Suddenly a warning shout came from the head of the column. Men
began to dismount from their lofty steeds, and to run towards the
baggage animals and the camels on which the women and children
were seated. Others, with frantic cries, urged the already quivering
animals to their knees.

"Cover your faces, boys!" gasped the correspondent, as he led

them to the side of a prostrate hierie. "It's a sandstorm!"

The lads had barely time to grasp the situation. The air around
them, almost motionless, was hot and oppressive; but less than
three hundred yards away, and momentarily drawing nearer, was a
dark-brown pillar of sand, trailing away into a seething, ill-defined
cloud.

Already the Arabs, drawing their haiks over their faces, were
kneeling beside their steeds. The deathly silence was broken only by
the startled cries of some of the younger children and the ever-
increasing hiss of the wind.

Then the sandstorm burst. If one has ever had the experience of
standing in the midst of a continuous shower of spray, and gasping
salt-laden air into the lungs, the sensation can be faintly realized—
only instead of spray it was sand-laden, burning, suffocating vapour.

For just half a minute the lads stood the terrible ordeal; then, in
their desperation, they rose to their feet, only to be forced to the
ground by the strong grasp of Arthur Reeves. There they lay,
gasping like stranded fishes, for a space of nearly five minutes, till
the correspondent's detaining grip was relaxed.

When the mist cleared from before their throbbing, blood-shot

eyes, a strange sight met their gaze.
 Some of the horses, half-buried in sand, were plunging wildly and
snorting with terror.

Those of the Arabs who had managed to extricate themselves from

the hot sand were endeavouring to release their less-fortunate
comrades; while the half-buried camels remained in a kneeling
position, with their long-lashed eyelids drooping over their large dark
eyes, as if absolutely indifferent to the peril they had undergone.

Fortunately the storm had been of comparatively short duration,

and the loss of life was in consequence confined to the cattle and
horses. Some of the latter, in their terror, had fled wildly from the
hot blast, and, being overtaken by it, had perished miserably, a few
hummocks of drifted sand marking the places where they fell.

Ere the march could be resumed, a prolonged halt was called, and
a fairly liberal amount of water given to men and cattle. Much of the
baggage had to be abandoned, for want of sufficient means of
transport.

At length the wearied men arrived at the oasis of El Tebat, where

two more days were spent ere the march was resumed. Thence,
after thirty days, following a widely-spaced chain of oases, the
Sheikh Wadherim brought his tribe back to their native haunts of
Wadi Tlat. With his men, and their wives and families, flocks, herds,
and other possessions, he had journeyed to the sea in the belief that
the followers of Mohammed would gain an easy victory over the
unbelievers, and, rich in booty, would live at their ease in the fertile
oases by the coast till the call of the desert would once again have
to be obeyed. If his faith in the Prophet had been rudely shaken, the
sheikh gave no sign of his bad fortune.

Wadi Tlat, situated on the southern border of the great Plateau of

Ahaggar, was the name given by the Tlat River to the surrounding
valley. The country, though rugged, abounded with coarse herbage,
and nearly ten thousand nomads found means of subsistence in the
district watered by the river and two of its tributaries.

What lay to the southward of the plateau none of the Arabs knew.
To them it was a broad, trackless desert, peopled by the jinns or
spirits of an evil world; and although the Tlat—usually little more
than a series of shallow pools, connected at certain points of the
river by a narrow stream fed by a lake up in the mountains—flowed
in a south-westerly direction, none of the Arabs had the courage to
follow its course beyond Bab-el-Jinn—the Gate of Evil Spirits—two
bleak and massive rocks standing like giant pinnacles in the middle
of a narrow gorge.

Here, at Wadi Tlat, full six hundred miles from the sea, Arthur
Reeves, Hugh, and Gerald entered into a new phase of their
captivity, far beyond the help of any European influence, and
doomed, apparently, to lifelong slavery!

CHAPTER VI

The Escape
FOR several days the captives' lot, though hard, was not
oppressive. Save for the fetters on their wrists, they were not
subjected to bonds, nor were their movements restricted, within
certain limits. Their work consisted in having to tend and water the
camels, horses, and cattle, and to cultivate a strip of land on the
banks of the river. Although, generally speaking, the Arabs are a
nomadic race, and do not take kindly to husbandry, this fertile strip
of ground offered too good an opportunity of cultivating maize to be
ignored; and the work was delegated to the slaves, most of whom
were of negro descent, while some were Arabs who, through
offences committed against the tribal laws and customs, were
reduced to compulsory servitude.

The Englishmen's clothing, long since in rags, was now barely

enough to cover them; but, hardened to the sun's rays, the
discomfort was less than they had anticipated. Reeves's chief source
of anxiety on this account was concerning his automatic pistol and
ammunition, till, fearing that the ragged state of his clothing would
reveal the precious treasure, he stealthily wrapped the weapon and
cartridges in a fragment of sheepskin, and hid them under a rock at
some distance from the camp.

The man's indomitable spirit seemed to buoy up the flagging

energies of his two young companions; but although many plans
were brought forward when the question of escaping was discussed,
it was deemed prudent to wait events. The correspondent kept a
marvellous control over himself, never once by word or gesture
allowing the Arabs to suspect that he was fairly conversant with their
tongue. Yet he failed to overhear any reliable information relating to
the land that lay to the south of the Plateau of Ahaggar: to the
Arabs it was almost a forbidden subject.

"It seems to me," he once remarked, "that our only chance of

escape lies in making a dash to the south. This river must lead
somewhere, unless it is lost in the sand. The fact that the country in
that direction seems to be in disfavour with the Arabs is in our
favour. Returning by the way we came is a physical impossibility. To
the dangers of crossing the desert is added the likelihood of falling
into the hands of another tribe, in which case our position would be
far worse than it is at present."

"But where do you think the river leads to?" asked Hugh.

"I can only conjecture. Since we are on the highest ground of the
great Sahara, it may be that the river flows into Nigerian territory. If
we make the attempt, it will be no light task."
 "Anything will be better than dragging out a miserable existence
here," replied Gerald.

"As I have said before, we must not spoil everything by being

premature," rejoined Mr. Reeves. "Still, we must not be content with
discussing the matter; we must act."

By denying themselves a portion of their already scanty fare, the

captives contrived to collect a store of provisions least likely to be
spoiled by age. Two goatskin water bottles were also set aside by
stealth, and, taking advantage of their daily excursions to the river,
the Englishmen managed without detection to secrete their prizes in
a small cave not far from the place where the pistol and ammunition
were hidden.

One afternoon, as the three comrades were returning from their

toil at the maize field, they perceived a tall, white-robed Arab
approaching. He was bareheaded and his hair was shaved, denoting
that he was an imam, or holy man. In utter ignorance of whom he
was, Gerald incautiously allowed his shadow to fall athwart the
stranger's path.

The imam stopped and cursed the unbeliever in the strongest

terms he could lay tongue to; but the lad, not knowing what was
being said, continued on his way with his companions.

"We've done it!" remarked Reeves. "That fellow is one of the

priests of the tribe, and in some way we've offended him. Ten to one
he'll make it hot for us with the sheikh."

The words were hardly out of his mouth when the rapid pattering
of footsteps in the sand caused the captives to look behind them.

The "imam", considering himself deliberately abused by a son of

Shaitan, was running towards his supposed insulter, knife in hand.
The blade flashed in the air. In another moment it would have been
buried in Gerald's shoulder had not Reeves, by throwing himself on
the ground, caught the Arab by the ankles, capsizing him very neatly
on the soft soil.

"Take the knife away from him, Hugh," shouted the prostrate
Englishman. Ere the lad could seize the imam's wrist, however, the
man kicked himself free, and rushed at the unbeliever who had
thwarted him.

But the correspondent was not going to allow himself to be knifed

if he could help it. Bringing his wrists together, he struck at the Arab
with the bight of the iron chain. The imam attempted to parry the
blow, but the supple links, falling upon his bare skull, brought him to
the ground, this time with a thud. In tumbling, the unfortunate
wretch fell upon his own knife, and, ere the Englishman could realize
what had occurred, the Arab was dead.

"Look sharp, lads; scoop a hole in the sand and cover him up. If
this is discovered we are as good as done for. I hope no one else
saw this business.... Too late, by Jove! Look over there!"

Reeves pointed to the opposite side of the river, where three or

four Baggaras were making for the encampment. They had seen the
affair, and, taking to their heels, ran swiftly to carry the news to the
sheikh. Fortunately the river at this point widened out to a fair-sized
pond, and the men had to go some distance upstream ere they
came to the ford.

"We must make a dash for it," continued Reeves, giving a swift
glance around. "Make for the hieries—they are behind those rocks."

All three broke into a run, stopping a moment at the hiding-place

to retrieve the empty water skins, provisions, pistol, and
ammunition. As luck would have it, four of the beasts were saddled,
having been made ready to bear the sheikh and three of the
principal members of his family on a short journey to a neighbouring
tribe.
 The black slaves gasped with astonishment to see the three Kafirs
running towards them, when they ought to have been in the fields.
Still more were they astonished when they beheld Reeves unbuckle
the girths of one of the animals and, with the saddle under his arm,
climb into the saddle of another kneeling camel; and ere they could
recover from their surprise, the three white men were urging their
willing but unwieldy steeds towards the desert.

The fugitives could rely upon half an hour's start—five miles at the
outside—and as the distance between them and the encampment of
Sheikh Wadherim increased, they saw with intense satisfaction that
there were as yet no signs of pursuit.

"Why are we going into the desert?" asked Hugh, after a while. "I
thought you meant to follow the river?"

"So I should have, had we not settled the hash of that shaven-
headed rascal," replied Reeves. "No doubt the Arabs, in their desire
to avenge the death of their imam, will brave the terrors of the jinn-
infested country. That's somewhat unfortunate for us but it cannot
be helped. I mean to strike into the desert till just before dawn, then
bear away to the south-west and rejoin the stream."

"We are without water," observed Gerald.

"True! Had we gone deliberately to work we should have taken

steps to procure a supply. That makes us dependent upon the river
in any case. I wish there was a breeze to cover up our tracks," and
the correspondent pointed to six distinct, furrow-like lines in the soft,
yielding sand.

On and on they rode, keeping their direction solely by the position

of the now setting sun. At length the fiery orb dipped behind the
almost level horizon, but still there was no sign of the expected
pursuit.

"Perhaps they are still afraid of the jinns," said Hugh.

 "Or it is quite likely that we are outstripping them," added Reeves.
"We've taken the best hieries, and they are comparatively fresh.
We've more than a fighting chance, lads."

It was soon night. The stars shone forth with fiery brilliancy, while
the air was sharp, though not so piercingly cold as on the low-lying
deserts to the north. For several hours hardly a word was spoken,
and only the soft footfalls of the camels broke the silence.

"How shall we get rid of these beastly things?" asked Hugh at last,
rattling his chain as he spoke.

"We must be content to wear the bracelets," replied Reeves.

"When it is daylight I mean to try a few shots with the pistol on
them. The only thing is that ammunition is scarce."

"I've a file," announced Gerald. "I saw one lying outside the tent of
Azuf the blacksmith this morning, and so I picked it up. I meant to
have told you before."

"Good!" replied Reeves emphatically. "As soon as we call a halt

we'll begin operations."

"Haven't we gone far enough?" asked Hugh.

"Far enough?" repeated Reeves fiercely. "Not by any means. We'll

be seen at daybreak, if not before, if we stay here."

On they plodded, keeping resolutely to the south-east. Once or

twice Hugh fancied that he could distinguish the sounds of distant
voices, but neither Gerald nor Reeves could detect any noises that
could be put down to their pursuers.

At length, just before dawn, an intense blackness brooded over the

desert. The stars withheld their light, and for nearly an hour the
three fugitives were riding blindly, unable to ascertain in which
direction they were going, but trusting to Providence to guide them
from their taskmasters.

"Look here," exclaimed Reeves, pulling his hierie and turning

towards his almost invisible companions, "this won't do! Goodness
only knows where we are heading for. We'll make a halt till dawn, or
until the stars are visible again. I only wish we had a watch. It can't
be far off sunrise."

Descending from their lofty perches, the fugitives hobbled the

camels and waited, the correspondent making good use of his time
by filing away at one of the wristlets to which was secured Gerald's
chain.

"Now then, Rags, you have a shot at it," he said, handing Hugh the
file, and wiping the moisture from his brow, for even in the cold
night air the exertion was trying and tedious. The lad took the file,
and while Reeves steadied Gerald's wrist, Hugh worked manfully at
the stubborn metal.

So engrossed were they by their task that the dawn began to

glimmer ere the fugitives were aware of it. Suddenly Reeves looked
up.

"By Jove! we've been making a mess of it," he exclaimed, pointing

to the glow in the sky. Instead of pointing to his left, he pointed in
exactly the opposite direction. During the period of darkness they
had completed a semicircle, and were making as nearly as possible
straight for the direction whence they had come.

"Up with you!" he continued, as he set the example by unhobbling

his hierie and climbing into the high-peaked saddle.

From his lofty perch upon the camel's back he glanced anxiously in
a northerly direction. The sun was just appearing above the horizon,
and in its ruddy light the Englishman saw a sight that made him
mutter under his breath.
 Less than a mile distant were their pursuers!

CHAPTER VII

The Fight in the Desert

URGING their steeds to the utmost, the three fugitives rode with
set faces, resolving either to escape or to fight to the end. Recapture
would mean far worse than death.

Grasping his pistol tightly in his right hand, and steadying himself
with his left, Reeves turned in his saddle and took a swift yet
comprehensive view of the pursuing Arabs. There were five of them,
all fully clad in white, showing that they were the chief men of the
tribe. Each had a gun slung across his shoulder, and by the length of
the barrels the Englishman knew, to his satisfaction, that they were
smooth-bore flintlocks, and not the modern rifles used by the Arabs
on the coast. Gun flints are practically indestructible, and gunpowder
can be manufactured by the Arabs under the most rough-and-ready
conditions; but cartridges are comparatively scarce. Consequently,
for all ordinary purposes—except in inter-tribal fights, when rapid
firing is essential to success—the denizens of the desert prefer to
husband their supplies of modern ammunition, and prefer to use
flint.

"They are gaining slightly, I fear," remarked Reeves. "Still, we have

a fighting chance. I wish we could take aim."

On they tore, pursuers and pursued, till at length one of the Arabs
took a flying shot. The bullet fell short, knocking up a shower of
sand barely forty yards behind the Englishmen. This was a certain
sign that the intervening distance was diminishing.
 "What's that ahead?" exclaimed Gerald, pointing to a small, black,
pillar-like object in the sand a full mile away.

"It's a rock," replied Hugh.

"That's a blessing!" ejaculated Reeves, for his camel was beginning

to show signs of having over-exerted himself. "I only hope there are
no more of the brutes in ambush," he muttered.

There were two alternatives—either halting and making a stand in

the open, or taking the risks that the rock already concealed more of
the Arabs, and, if not, enjoying the advantages of fighting with their
backs against a wall.

Reeves chose the latter. It was evident that flight was now out of
the question, for, in addition to his hierie showing signs of fatigue,
the lads' camels were almost at the end of their stride.

At length the fugitives drew up at the place they had selected, to

make their desperate defence. It was, on closer acquaintance, a
large mass of rock, sheer on three sides, and sloping steeply on the
remaining front. The most active climber in the world could not
hope, without climbing implements, to scale the perpendicular sides,
which were quite twenty feet in height, and worn smooth by the
action of sandstorms through countless ages. At the base of the
fourth side there was a fairly wide trench, partly filled with drifting
sand, a low wall of irregularly-shaped rock forming a breastwork
about two feet in height.

"Couldn't be better!" exclaimed Reeves, as he slipped from his

camel. "Be sharp; make these brutes lie down. Never mind that; it's
over." This last remark was addressed to Gerald, who ducked his
head as a bullet flattened itself out upon the rock a good six feet
from the ground.

The camels, fortunately tractable and docile, were made to lie in

the trench, while, to be perfectly sure that they would not stampede
and leave the fugitives in the lurch, Hugh fastened their halters
together.

"Now we're fairly comfortable," continued the correspondent, as he

placed his reserve of cartridges by his side. "Those fellows won't
keep firing long, I fancy. When they make a rush for it, wait till they
are the length of a cricket pitch off, then let them have it with some
of these stones. Ah! That was a close one!"

A bullet clipped the edge of his burnous, while two others knocked
chips off the rock behind which the three fugitives were sheltering.

"We can stand plenty of that," continued Reeves. "I only hope they
won't wait till the sun gets up, or we'll be baked in this hole."

Suddenly there was a dull thud, like that of a stone striking a sack
of corn. One of the camels had incautiously raised its head, and had
received a shot in the throat. It gave a strange sort of cry—half-
groan, half-shriek—stretched its long neck on the ground, and closed
its patient-looking eyes.

"That's awkward," remarked Reeves. "If this goes on, it will end in
our having to tramp to the river." He spoke calmly, unwilling to alarm
his charges, but the loss of a hierie could not be too highly taken
into account.

For quite a quarter of an hour the Arabs maintained a desultory

fire, holding their antiquated weapons with the utmost deliberation,
and firing from a distance of less than one hundred yards. Reeves
particularly noticed that the "missfires" were few and far between,
the great breadth of the Arabs' flints emitting such a large spark that
the priming rarely failed to take fire.

All this while the defenders lay low within their natural fortress.
Reeves was unwilling to fire a shot in reply, lest the Arabs should
fear to close, and instead ride off for additional assistance. That
would have been fatal for the Englishmen. Stern necessity decreed
that it should be a fight to the death for one side.

Presently the Arabs dismounted, and, leaving their camels without

any attempt to secure them, worked their way round behind the
rock.

Reeves gave a low whistle—a thing he always did when annoyed.

"They'll be able to rush us easier that way," he exclaimed; "but it

can't be helped. Got plenty of stones? Good! Now, look out!"

The Arabs, still maintaining a respectful distance, continued firing,

their bullets whizzing by the side of the rock, as if they meant to
frighten the Kafirs before rushing in upon them. Cautiously Reeves
and the two lads crept close to the base of their towering shelter.

"They'll close after the next volley," said the correspondent calmly.
"See that fellow with the red belt? You tackle him, Rags. Gerald, you
must have a shot at that amiable-looking gentleman with the grey
beard. His spear looks particularly annoying. Now, keep cool;
imagine you're bowling with your first eleven."

Three of the Arabs had divested themselves of the upper part of

their clothing, and had accomplished what is termed in Scripture the
girding up of their loins. The others made no preparations for the
rush whatever.

Reeves was perfectly correct in his surmise. The Arabs do not take
readily to the use of firearms, and the primitive instinct to close with
their adversaries is still strong within them.

"Here they come!"

A volley, sounding almost like a single shot, whistled over the

defenders' heads, or else the bullets flattened against the rock.
Dropping their firearms, the men picked up their spears or swords,
and, with a fierce yell, rushed with incredible velocity upon the
apparently defenceless unbelievers.

Reeves let them come to within thirty yards of the rock.

"Not yet," he cautioned hurriedly, as the lads bravely stood up to

meet their savage foes.

Steadying the muzzle of his pistol in the hollow of his left arm, the
correspondent took careful aim full at the heaving chest of the
foremost Arab, a mop-haired Baggara, who was brandishing a long,
double-handed sword.

The pistol flashed; there was a report like the crack of a whip; but
still the Arabs bounded towards the defenders.

Crack! Another shot. An Arab immediately behind the swordsman

sprang up in the air and fell, and a second later the Baggara
faltered, turned twice round, and dropped, still grasping his
gleaming weapon.

Then the lads hurled their missiles. Hugh's stone caught one of the
assailants full in the forehead, toppling him over like a second
Goliath; but Gerald's aim was faulty, and his stone whizzed
handsomely by a tall, lithe spearman.

The next moment the two surviving Arabs, reckless in the heat of
the fight, were upon them. Even as one leapt in order to deliver a
fierce thrust with his keen, broad-bladed spear, Reeves fired full in
his face. The man was killed instantly, but the impetus of his rush
made him fall on top of Gerald, who was preparing to throw another
stone. Unable to check his speed, the last Arab tripped over the
body of his comrade; and before he could recover himself, Reeves
shot him also through the head.

Exhausted by their efforts, it was some time before the victors

could utter a sound. Now the fight was over, thirst began to assert
itself.

"It turned out better than I thought," remarked Reeves, as he

recharged his pistol. "It was a pretty close shave at the end. When I
have time I must flatten the heads of these bullets. Beyond ten
yards they are almost useless for stopping a man."

"We won't be hard up for arms now," said Hugh, "and camels as
well."

"Water is what we most require at present," replied the

correspondent. "No doubt there are a few skinfuls with the camels,
and perhaps some of these beauties have a small supply on them.
Let's see!"

A search of the bodies of the two men who had been shot at close
range revealed nothing in the shape of water bottles. One man had,
however, hampered himself with a small bag of dates, of which the
victors took possession.

"You dropped that fellow pretty neatly with that stone, Rags,"
observed Gerald, as they made their way over to where the first
three Arabs had fallen.

"Be careful!" cautioned Reeves, as the two lads approached the

motionless body of the Arab whom Hugh had brought down.

Hugh was just on the point of asking why, when there was a
general commotion as the Arab staggered to his feet and hurled his
spear full at Gerald, who was leading.

Taken completely by surprise, Gerald stood stockstill. He would

have been transfixed by the hurtling weapon had not Hugh pulled
him violently on one side.

With a snarl the Arab drew his short knife and ran in upon the lads,
who promptly took to their heels.
 Finding that pursuit was impossible, the half-dazed man directed
his attention to Reeves, who unwillingly, though actuated by stern
necessity, was compelled to shoot him as he ran.

"That's an old trick," remarked the correspondent. "Many of our

men lost their lives in the Sudan through Arabs feigning death. Now,
let's look at these two. I am rather curious to see what happened."
So saying, he led the way to where the Baggara swordsman and the
second Arab were shot.

The Baggara lay on his back. Just below the left shoulder blade
was a small puncture, while another was visible barely three inches
lower down. Both shots had taken effect, but owing to their high
velocity had failed to stop the man instantly. But the strange part
was that the second shot, after passing clean through the man's
body, and losing some of its rate of speed, had struck the Arab who
was behind him in the forehead, causing instant death.

This man was carrying a small goatskin water bottle, but in his fall
he had burst it, and the precious liquid was utterly wasted.

"Hard lines!" ejaculated Hugh, rolling his tongue in his parched

mouth.

"We must see what the camels have on them," said the
correspondent. "Be careful how you approach them; they might
run."

"They are used to us," replied Hugh. "We've taken them to be

watered many a time;" and uttering the Arab cry of "Lu-lu-lu", the
lad made his way towards the spot where the five camels were
standing.

"They won't move, you see," he continued, hastening his pace.

"Look! two of them have water bottles slung from the saddles."
 "Wait till I bring our two beasts out," called Reeves from a
distance.

Either it was sheer obstinacy on Hugh's part, or else he failed to

hear his elder comrade's warning, for without waiting for the already
tractable camels to be brought out to entice the others, he advanced
boldly towards the masterless animals.

Suddenly the five camels bolted, and in a cloud of sand were soon
lost to sight.

Reeves bit his lip and said nothing. Hugh also was silent, but
Gerald gave an exclamation of despair. The same fact was apparent
to each of them. They were stranded in the desert, with only two
hieries between them, and not a drop of water to drink.

CHAPTER VIII

A Discovery
"IT'S no use staying here all day," remarked Reeves at length.
"Gather up the provisions, and take a musket and ammunition
apiece, and we'll make a dash for the river; it can't be much more
than twenty miles off."

He spoke as naturally as he could, but twenty miles across a

trackless desert in the full heat of the blazing sun was no light
journey, especially when one must be afoot. Besides, the presence
of the river might be purely conjectural; it might make a sudden
bend to the west, and instead of tramping twenty miles, the
travellers might stagger on till they dropped, and still not find water.

However, it was a course for actions, not words; and, having armed
themselves, Hugh and Gerald mounted the two remaining hieries,
while Reeves walked between the animals.

But before they had traversed a hundred yards the correspondent

stopped.

"Hand me that goatskin!" he exclaimed, and without a word as to

his intentions he retraced his steps to the rock.

The lads gazed at him in astonishment, yet both were too utterly
exhausted and parched to speak.

In less than five minutes the correspondent returned, staggering

under the load of a distended water bottle.

"Drink" he said, holding up the skin for Gerald to take, "but be

careful not to spill a drop."

Longingly Hugh watched his companion take a deep draught of the

life-giving fluid, but patiently he waited his turn.

"And you, Mr. Reeves?" asked Gerald, as the correspondent

carefully retied the mouth of the goatskin when Hugh had drunk.

"I've had some already. I had what was over; it was not much, but
enough."

Both lads knew where the water had been obtained, although the
idea had not previously entered their heads. Nature has provided the
camel with unique means of carrying a large supply of water, which,
until required, remains as fresh as can be expected; and, with the
knowledge of this peculiarity, Reeves had deftly drawn the precious
fluid from the dead hierie.

Then the tedious, anxious journey was resumed. The sun, now
high in the heavens, beat fiercely upon the white burnouses of the
travellers, while the sand underfoot was so hot that Reeves could
scarce place his feet to the ground, in spite of the fact that his well-
made boots still stood the wear and tear of days in the desert. Yet
uncomplainingly he tramped full five weary miles before Gerald
insisted on giving up his camel to his elder.

Hour after hour passed without any sign of the hoped-for river. At
length the ground, still sandy, though dotted here and there with
masses of smooth, rounded rock, began to slope upwards,
apparently without a break, for nearly five miles.

Reeves looked grave when he saw this. They were heading at right
angles the supposed direction of the river, and the land was rising.
The river could not possibly run uphill. Perhaps beyond—if not, the
disappointment would be enough to crush even his powers of
resolution.

Once again the agonies of thirst began to assert themselves, in

spite of a frugal meal of dried dates, and soon it was with the
greatest difficulty that they could move their swollen tongues in their
parched mouths.

Shortly after noon Gerald was on the point of collapse. Only by

passing a rope round the two raised portions of the saddle was
Reeves able to keep his young charge from reeling and falling to the
ground.

"We must halt for a while," he exclaimed. "Make for that rock over
there, Hugh."

He pointed to a mass of stone that, leaning slightly, might possibly

afford some shelter from the sun. The rock, resembling a Druidical
pillar, stood about two hundred yards to the right of the direction in
which they were travelling; but being the only object likely to throw
a reasonable shade, the turning aside was advisable.

Gerald, on one camel, was leading, with Reeves walking slightly to

the left flank, while Hugh's hierie ambled at some ten paces in the
rear.
 Suddenly Gerald stiffened himself in the saddle, and in a loud,
croaking voice shouted, "Water!"

Hugh replied with a feeble cry of delight, but Reeves, although his
hopes ran high at the announcement, thought that Gerald's
exclamation was the outcome of a disordered imagination. In order
to soothe the lad, however, he asked: "Where, Gerald?"

For answer the lad pointed to a long, low ridge of sand through
which the rock protruded. Beyond was a dip, but from his level
Reeves could not see over the crest as well as did the lad on the
camel. From even a very short distance the radiation of the sand
caused every outline to appear blurred and wavy, and the depression
beyond the ridge was in consequence hitherto unnoticed.

"Why, it's the river!" exclaimed Gerald.

Reeves waited no longer, but, breaking into a stumbling run,

pressed on ahead and gained the side of the rock. Gerald was right.
In a narrow khor, or valley, flowed the stream. True, it was little
better than a chain of shallow lakes connected by a mere trickle of
yellowish water, but to the almost exhausted fugitives it meant life.

Forgetting their fatigue, the lads slipped from their saddles and
staggered towards the nearest pool, while Reeves, stopping only to
hobble the camels, made haste to follow them. Half a minute later
the three were on their knees, plunging their heads into the tepid
water, and taking copious draughts of the invigorating liquid.

"Steady, boys!" cautioned Reeves, knowing that an excess would

be almost as bad as a lack of water; "there's plenty of time. Here we
stay for the rest of the day."

"Are we safe?" asked Hugh.

"As safe as we can reasonably hope to be," replied the

correspondent. "I'll bring the camels down, and while they are
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