ectly after, and making
Frank a sign he said a few words to the Sheikh.

"The young Emir wishes you to go out riding with him, Excellency," said
Ibrahim.

"Yes," said Frank eagerly; "I will go. There, you see, I shall be
mounted now and safe."

No obstacle was thrown in the way, and shortly after the two young men
were riding through the streets of the city together; but there was no
special horror on the way. They passed, however, scores of fierce, dark
warriors with closely shaven heads and pointed beards, and wearing large
rings in their ears. They were simply dressed in closely fitting white
cotton garbs which left arms and legs bare, looking in their strong
contrast of black and white, mounted as they were upon small, active
horses, wild of mane and tail, and as savage of aspect as their riders,
effective looking troops for a desert campaign; and as they rode through
the streets, loath to give way to anyone, their eyes wandered over every
person, place, or thing, as if, as the Sheikh had said, in search of
spoil.

On that particular day, wearied with his ineffective search, irritable,
and hot, the young Englishman felt a strange sense of dislike pervade
him as he rode on with his companion, who seemed to share his resentment
on encountering party after party of the desert warriors, fine modern
Ishmaelites; and before they had gone far there seemed to be every
prospect of an encounter, for the rich robe and turban of the young Emir
attracted the attention of one thin, wiry-looking black, while his
companion fixed his eyes upon the handsome sword and dagger worn by
Frank.

These two were taking up the centre of the narrow street through which
the young men passed, and seemed disposed to bar their way; but fear was
not one of the failings of the Emir's son, and their attitude aroused
his wrath.

Turning to Frank, he bade him ride faster, the words being familiar now,
and knee to knee they pressed on, making the strangers give way by
opening out; but they returned fierce look for look, and before the
strangely assorted couple had gone many yards they found that the black
warriors had turned and were following them.

The Emir's son turned to Frank, laughed, and touched the hilt of his
sword, with a meaning look which the young Englishman interpreted to
mean--

"Will you help me if I have to fight?"

The dervish warriors had come upon them at an unlucky time, and their
insolent, threatening air had roused