of the savage dervishes rising in his saddle with a spear poised to
deliver a thrust, which he felt that he must in some way parry, and
almost simultaneously the dervish's horse swerved to avoid the coming
shock, the consequence being that the fierce thrust was delivered wildly
in the air, as the chest of Frank's Arab struck just behind the black's
saddle. The next moment horse and rider were rolling in the sandy dust,
while after delivering a fierce cut which took effect upon his
adversary, the young Emir uttered a fiercely defiant cry, and the two
companions were tearing across the opening, making for a street in
front, followed by half a dozen yelling dervishes who had wheeled round
their horses and started in pursuit.

Before, however, they could get their active little mounts into their
stride Frank and the young Emir were twenty yards ahead, the former
resettling himself in his saddle after being nearly thrown, and the
latter half turned, shaking his sword defiantly, seeing with malicious
joy that his adversary was _hors de combat_, half lying upon the ground,
while Frank's was limping after his horse, which stood shaking itself
after recovering its feet.

The young Emir shouted something to Frank, who answered it with a nod,
taking it for granted that as the enemy were still somewhere about four
to one, their duty was to gallop for their lives, while he, moment by
moment, became more confident as he found that all he had to do was to
keep his seat and leave the future movements to his companion and his
horse. As to escaping, of that there seemed to be no doubt, for they
two were far better mounted than their enemies, and could easily
outstrip them unless some unforeseen accident occurred.

But unforeseen accidents generally do occur at the most awkward moments,
and it was so here.

The streets were encumbered as usual in that teeming hive of misery, and
at the sound of the shouting and the dull thud of horses' hoofs, the
occupants of the crowded streets they passed through pressed closely to
the walls of the low houses on either side, but there _were_ some very
close shaves. One of these was caused by a loaded donkey which was
being driven slowly along and partially blocked the way; but at a yell
from the young Emir the driver threw himself against his beast to force
it close to a wall, leaving just enough room for the fleeing pair to
pass, though so narrow was the space left that Frank felt his loose
whit