e robe brush against the house upon his right as they passed the
ass, their horses taking the centre directly after. Then away they tore
again, but only to see amongst the people in front, towering above them,
the figure of a black mounted upon a camel, whose burden projected far
on either side.

There was no riding together past this, so the young Emir drew rein,
shouting to Frank to go on singly, the horse comprehending the order and
tearing along, passing the camel the next instant, while when his turn
came, the young Emir raised himself in his saddle and delivered a quick,
cutting blow, whose effect was to divide one of the most important ropes
of the camel's harness, wounding the poor beast slightly, and making it
fling itself wildly across the roadway, while its burden, and with it
the rider, fell in confusion from the ungainly creature's back.

The young Soudanese uttered a malicious laugh as he rode on side by side
with Frank, again turning in his saddle to watch and see whether their
pursuers were checked by the accident. They were for the moment, but
four rushed at the load and leaped their horses over it, while the
others forced their way by the side, and the pursuit was taken up again
with undiminished vigour.

Frank was accustomed enough by now to the roads to know that his
companion was making for the open plain, where they could have a free
gallop, so as to leave the enemy well behind before making for one of
the other entrances and reaching their own part of the city where they
would be safe. And still gaining ground, they galloped on, turning into
a wider way, sending the people flying to right and left, some into
houses or gardens, others to press into doorways, but all turning to
watch the exciting chase, for it promised to end in blood.

The young Emir turned to Frank again, uttering a merry laugh as if the
process of being hunted was a delightful sensation; but as he did so
Frank pointed ahead, and his companion drew rein a little, while his
countenance lowered, for there, a couple of hundred yards away, was a
strong body of the newly come mounted dervishes, slowly riding into
view.

Frank fully expected him to turn face round to make a dash at the
smaller party who were chasing them, and try to cut their way back, and
with his blood regularly up the young Englishman tightened his grip of
his sword, ready for everything; but the Emir's son rode right on,
straight for the coming band, their p