inued their flight until they joined the
party at the western end of the pass. Here they turned about,
encouraged by their friends, to meet the fresh body of Arabs. A fierce
fight now took place, and the Arabs had cause to repent their imprudence
in so hurriedly pushing forward. Several of their leaders fell, and
they in their turn retreated. Ned saw them coming, and at the same time
he observed that a number of the savages had again climbed the heights
and were preparing to assail them as they had Mohammed's party.
Fortunately for the Arabs, the Africans had expended most of their
missiles. Ned implored the first who passed in their retreat to lift
him up and to carry him with them, for he fully expected to be trampled
to death should he not be killed by the falling rocks or the arrows of
the savages. His cries were unheeded; already the greater number had
passed by, when he saw an Arab, evidently a chief, bringing up the rear,
and encouraging the men under him by continuing their fire to keep the
foe in check. Ned recognised him as the Arab whose life he had saved
from the sinking dhow.

"Sayd, Sayd!" he shouted, "don't you know me? Do help me out of this."

"Yes, yes, I will save you," answered the Arab. There was no time for
further words, and stooping down Sayd lifted Ned in his arms and, with
the aid of one of his followers, bore him on through the pass, while his
men, as before, kept their pursuers at bay.

The open country was at length gained. The savages, although they might
rightly claim the victory, having suffered severely, showed no
inclination to continue the pursuit.

Of the whole force, however, which had marched out in the morning with
Mohammed not a dozen remained alive, and most of those were badly
wounded. Ned was unable to speak to Sayd until the fortified camp was
gained. No sooner had they arrived than their ears were deafened by the
wailing cries of the women mourning for their husbands and relatives
slain, and it was some time before Ned could obtain the rest he so much
required after the injury he had received and the fatigues he had gone
through.

CHAPTER TEN.

After resting some time Ned recovered sufficiently to converse with
Sayd, who, coming up, seated himself by his side.

"I had heard that a young white man had set out with
Mohammed-ibn-Nassib, and was acting as his gun-bearer, but little did I
expect to find that you were the person spoken of. How came you to b