sed after he fell. The conflict
had, to him, been little more than a dream. Awakened from sleep by the
sound of his assailants, as they dropped from the ropes, he had leaped
up as a rush of figures came towards him, catching up his sword and
pistol as he did so. He had shot the first, and cut down the next who
rushed at him, but at the same moment he had felt a sharp pain, and
remembered no more.

Tim heard from Hossein, when the latter, two days after the fight, was
able to speak, that he had suspected that some renewed attempt might
be made upon his master's life; and that for many nights he had not
slept, contenting himself with such repose as he could snatch in the
daytime, between the intervals of preparing meals. A few minutes
before the attack, he fancied he heard a movement on the roof of the
house; and running to Charlie's room he had, from the window, seen
some dark figures sliding down the wall. Then he roused Tim, and
rushed up to the rescue.

Tim eloquently described to his master the manner in which Hossein
sprung upon his foes, and cut his way through, in time to drive back
those who were hacking at him as he lay prostrate; and how he found
him standing over him, keeping at bay the whole of his assailants.

Charlie, with difficulty, made his way to the bedside of the brave
Mohammedan. The latter, however, did not know him. He was in the
delirium of fever. He was talking rapidly to himself.

"He trusted me," he said. "He gave me my life. Should I not give mine
for him? Anyone else would have had me hung as a dog. I will watch. I
will watch. He shall see that Hossein is not ungrateful."

Charlie's eyes filled with tears, as he looked at the wasted form of
his follower.

"Is there any hope for him?" he asked the doctor.

"It is possible, just possible that he may live," the latter said.
"Allah only knows."

"Do all you can to save him," Charlie said. "I shall be ever grateful
to you, if you do."

Tim, now that his master could dispense with his services, transferred
his attentions to the bedside of Hossein, and was unremitting in the
care and attention with which he kept the bandages on his head cool
with fresh water, and wetted his hot lips with refreshing drinks. It
was another week before his illness took a turn. Then the fever left
him, and he lay weak and helpless as an infant. Strong soups now took
the place of the cooling drinks, and in a few days the native doctor
was able to say, confide