Hauptmann Dietrich executes a plan to sway the Arab desert tribes to the German side by using a fake Rat Patrol to abduct their marabout or religious leader. He will then "rescue" the holy man so the Arabs will give their help to the Germans. The actual Patrol is captured by the Arabs, though, and when they convince the Arab leader, a friend of Moffitt's, that they aren't guilty, Troy and Moffitt go to find the holy man. To do so means a horse trip across the desert.