The day is breaking over Dini Salam. Colonel Le Clerq has rejoined his men on the battlements. The gantries have been totally manned. Their kepis fluttered at the back of their necks in the cool morning breeze as they crouched behind the granite walls. Rifles have been loaded, and the men have their fingers on the triggers. The feeding belts of the machine guns shine in the early morning light. The axe men are also ready.
Le Clerq looks over the desert to where the Arabs lie, like a living sea of people, around the fort and the little town of Dini Salam. He is looking for an answer to this crisis. For the last time, he tries to find a solution to escape the blood bath soon upon them. He looks for D’Arlan, but there is no sign of him. An ominous silence has descended on the desert.
“Is it
