er than being
employed in attacking the villagers. Ned was much concerned at having
to separate from him. Again he implored Sayd to try by some means or
other to obtain Chando's liberty; he received the same answer, "It is
impossible."

"Tell him then from me that he must try and join us. He would be
perfectly justified in running away if he has the opportunity, and that
may occur."

Sayd did as Ned begged him, and then drawing off his men formed a
separate camp at a distance from that of Abdullah.

In the meantime the main body of the Arabs, with their armed followers,
were creeping down towards the village, keeping concealed among the
rocks and shrubs so that they might not be discovered until they were
close up to it.

Some time elapsed, when the stillness of night was broken by the rattle
of musketry, followed by the shrieks and cries of the Arabs. The
flashes appeared on all sides except that of the lake, showing that the
Arabs had almost surrounded the place. Ned could only picture in
imagination the cruel deed taking place below him. Presently flames
burst forth, now from one part of the village, now from another, until
in a short time the whole was in a blaze, while by the ruddy light he
could see the dark figures of the inhabitants endeavouring to escape by
flight, pursued by their relentless invaders. Still the firing
continued, showing that the work of death was going on. At length it
ceased. After some time a large mass of people could be seen by the
light of the flames, while the Arabs were distinguished rushing here and
there, lance in hand, driving their frightened prisoners before them.
The cruel act had been accomplished; upwards of a hundred of the
villagers had been captured, and the Arabs, exulting in their victory,
returned to their camp. Ned accompanied Sayd, who desired to have a
parting interview with Abdullah. As they approached the camp they saw
the prisoners, men, women, and children, sitting on the ground, the
armed guards standing round them, while the remainder of the Arabs'
followers were employed in forming forked poles to place on the necks of
the refractory, and in preparing the ropes by which the others were to
be bound together.

The meeting between Sayd and his former leader was more stormy than
might have been supposed, the latter abusing him in no measured terms
for his desertion, and threatened his destruction and that of his
followers should he try to proceed th