CHAPTER XV

"MEN HAVE THEIR EXITS . . ." Half an hour later, Becque and I stood face to face in the shadow, cast by the rising sun, of a great clump of palms. We were stripped to the waist, and wore only baggy Arab trousers and soft boots. Each held a noble two-edged sword, pliant as cane, sharp as a razor, exact model of those brought to the country by Louis the Good and his Crusaders. I verily believe they _were_ Crusaders' swords, for there are many such in that dry desert where nothing rusts and a good sword is more prized…