Late that afternoon they went into camp at a little oasis in which
was the DOUAR of a sheik whose flocks were being stolen, and whose
herdsmen were being killed. The Arabs came out of their goatskin
tents, and surrounded the soldiers, asking many questions in the
native tongue, for the soldiers were themselves natives. Tarzan,
who, by this time, with the assistance of Abdul, had picked up
quite a smattering of Arab, questioned one of the younger men who
had accompanied the sheik while the latter paid his respects to
Captain Gerard.

No, he had seen no party of six horsemen riding from the direction
of Djelfa. There were other oases scattered about--possibly they
had been journeying to one of these. Then there were the marauders
in the mountains above--they often rode north to Bou Saada in small
parties, and even as far as Aumale and Bouira. It might indeed
have been a few marauders returning to the band from a pleasure
trip to one of these cities.

Early the next morning Captain Gerard split his command in two,
giving Lieutenant Gernois command of one party, while he headed
the other. They were to scour the mountains upon opposite sides
of the plain.

"And with which detachment will Monsieur Tarzan ride?" asked
the captain. "Or maybe it is that monsieur does not care to hunt
marauders?"

"Oh, I shall be delighted to go," Tarzan hastened to explain. He
was wondering what excuse he could make to accompany Gernois.