n
band right across the prisoner's room, leaving both sides in the shade.

Worn-out with weariness of mind and body, Ali lay there at last, telling
himself that he ought to follow the example of his compatriots, and
calmly accept the inevitable.

But that he could not do, for he lay there fuming with impatience, and
watching the outer room for a chance of escape. That did not come, for
the party were more watchful than ever; and at last he sank back,
feeling that all was over, and praying that warning might be given to
those in danger, in some other way.

For the sake of coolness he was lying away from his mat, on the bamboo
floor, between the rough pieces of which the night air came up, mingled
with the sweet odours of the forest; and as he lay there, with his head
throbbing from the mental excitement, while his guards were talking
together in a low voice, Ali began to wonder whether he should hear the
tiger prowling about the place that night. Then he began to think of
the midshipman and the ensign, and he tried to comfort himself with the
idea that the English were very brave, and might read Sultan Hamet a
severe lesson instead of being beaten.

These thoughts were just crossing his mind, when he started, for it
seemed to him that there was something rising close at hand, and then a
faint touch.

This was evidently heard only by himself, for no one in the outer place
had moved.

Ali felt a strange shudder pass through him, for the noise was just that
which a large serpent would make as it forced its way between some old
pieces of woodwork, and this was just the place for some monster to make
its haunt. It had evidently been temporarily driven away, but had now
in the silence of the evening returned to its home in the deserted
house.

Ali was as brave as most young fellows of his age, but at the same time
he shrank from contact with such a loathsome beast, and lay motionless,
wondering whether it would pass him by, and then half-resolving to call
the men to come with lights.

He was on the point of shouting to them, but he hesitated as his alarm
might be foolish, and the noise be caused by some inoffensive creature.

He lay there listening, and as he did so he suddenly felt paralysed, for
something touched his hand. The contact had such an effect upon him
that he could not move.

It was a serpent, he was sure, for it felt cold and damp, and--there it
was again, evidently coming up between the bamboos