isted him on
to a horse. Already behind them they could see the flare of the torches
from the returning Mongars.

"You know the way to Port Said," Quest whispered. "See that you lead us
there. There will be trouble, mind, if you don't."

Craig made no reply. He rode off in front of the little troop, covered all
the time by Quest's revolver. Very soon they were out of the jungle and in
the open desert. Quest looked behind him uneasily.

"To judge by the row those fellows are making," he remarked, "I should
think that they've found Feerda already."

"In that case," the Professor said gravely, "let me recommend you to push
on as fast as possible. We have had one escape from them, but nothing in
the world can save us now that you have laid hands upon Feerda. The Chief
would never forgive that."

"We've got a start, any way," Quest observed, "and these are the five best
horses in the camp. Girls, a little faster. We've got to trust Craig for
the direction but I believe he is right."

"So far as my instinct tells me," the Professor agreed, "I believe that we
are heading in precisely the right direction."

They galloped steadily on. The moon rose higher and higher until it became
almost as light as day. Often the Professor raised himself in his saddle
and peered forward.

"This column of soldiers would march at night," he remarked. "I am hoping
all the time that we may meet them."

Quest fell a little behind to his side, although he never left off
watching Craig.

"Look behind you, Professor," he whispered.

In the far distance were a number of little black specks, growing every
moment larger. Even at that moment they heard the low, long call of the
Mongars.

"They are gaining on us," Quest muttered.

The two girls, white though they were, bent over their horses.

"We'll stick to it till the last moment," Quest continued, "then we'll
turn and let them have it."

They raced on for another mile or more. A bullet whistled over their
heads. Quest tightened his reins.

"No good," he sighed. "We'd better stay and fight it out, Professor. Stick
close to me, Lenora."

They drew up and hastily dismounted. The Mongars closed in around them. A
cloud had drifted in front of the moon, and in the darkness it was almost
impossible to see their whereabouts. They heard the Chief's voice.

"Shoot first that dog of a Craig!"

There was a shriek. Suddenly Feerda, breaking loose from the others, raced
across the little div