ughed

course you did. What else could you do?

f you had been here in time to see me tackle this f

can put down your gun, now. I

ver at the queer-looking

wly-acquired revolve

so with an ugly scowl on his face. He seemed not to hav

glish?" a

was no

enc

an no

you?" dem

ik

ol w

e been an inch more than four feet in height, and his long, knotted arms, apparently as strong as a gorilla's,

muttered. "Lucky for Stubbs he kicked

t name?" the lad

any," was

you, an

es

e you do

did no

conversation and became decidedly impatient w

he demanded aggressivel

safe now that Hal

the dwarf's manner. He stepped back a pace

ivilly. "I will talk to you, for you are the first man who

or "the dwarf" had touched upon a tender spot. "Dwarf

ep forward and the

an to offend. For myself I am proud that I am a dwarf and

ered, threw out his c

doubts as to how I overcame this man, he w

l bo

sir," h

ld have overcome him. In fact, I am sure of it. Now if you will kindly order

e of a man born to command and t

ike that, I'd have a better job," was

thies in this war?"

ast with one of his huge fingers. "But, now that my conqueror requests me to talk, I w

"Then perhaps you can t

iment in thes

e as further north. Thousands of tribesmen there are only awaiting the

r for a man of your sym

shrugged hi

keep my sympathies locked up here

onsidering a plan that had come to

"if he will join us? He will be invaluable. He

d the situati

For long minutes the man hesitated, a

rking in the interests o

my word," replie

hand to Stubbs and

fighters as you, do not

a grip that brought tears to the little man's eyes. But he bore the pain

e'll pick up Colonel Edwa

he first shot had been fired a

ght, Ed

t," was t

explained Hal. "You can

ad and a moment later Co

he exclaimed, after a

"the same being the man

own pr

s' pri

captured him

rprise, until Hal explained in a low voice, so

hen," said Colonel Edwards. "Have

bestowed upon him, did as requested, and the d

ey drew up near a small hut. Here Nikol went forward and secured food, which he brought back

er, climbing steep hills, leaping ruts and gullies, rocks and brooks, but ma

suddenly and S

ssassin here, too,"

said Hal. "What will

did not

All listened intently and directly made out what the sharp ear

tepped boldly forward. Then he hesitated a moment, came back and spo

you will come to my assistance? The others," he s

s guard, Stubbs stu

me?" Nikol r

me," Stubbs arti

ut moved forward perhaps a hundred yards

drew nearer and still n

orward, silent

ed cry from ahead and then

a voice in French. "

Ver

al left his place of concealment and moved t

voice again. "Ivan Verg

acked by this

o see the gigantic figure of Nikol's

warf, his feet firmly planted on the ground, did not budge. It was a great e

he giant di

red aloud. "A strong man

lifted him high above his head. With his right arm the dwarf struc

ed the dwarf from him and then jumped after the flying f

ave seized Nikol again

oing some quick thinking. "Your name

ed suddenly and

shouted. "

ly, "that I bring you wor