garments of a goatherd, and, led by him, a
camel from the back of which was slung panniers for women, one on each
side, enveloped in the usual coverings that safeguarded those within
from forbidden eyes.

"But although, both out of proper respect for women and in duty toward
our guests, I had not attempted to look at the camel or its burden,
having indeed inclined my head downward as the animal passed, yet as I
again raised my eyes did I involuntarily catch sight of a dainty white
hand and the gleam, through momentarily parted curtains, of a beautiful
face--that of a young girl, fair as a lily, sweet and innocent as the
half-opened blossom of a rose. And methought that, in her very childlike
innocence, as our eyes met for a single instant, she smiled into mine
ere she gathered together the curtain that hid the vision of loveliness
from my ravished gaze.

"My heart was hammering against my breast as I watched the father and
the brother, with the swaying camel, disappear under the archway of a
building sheltered by the encompassing wall of the fortress. This I knew
had been designated as the home of the refugees during their stay among
us, but never had I imagined that such a treasure was to be bestowed in
so rough a casket.

"All that day Mustafa Khan and my grandfather remained in close and
secret conclave. Again I occupied my time by watching the approaching
sabat. The work was progressing quicker than ever. At this rate, within
two or three days the covered trench would be within a short stone throw
of the fortress walls. After the evening meal I reported this position
of affairs to Shir Jumla Khan.

"He only smiled gently at me.

"'Rest easy in your mind,' he said. 'Everything is understood and
arranged between me and Mustafa Khan. On the day after to-morrow our
enemies will be delivered into our hands.'

"But that night sleep would not come to my eyes. The face of the
beautiful girl haunted me, and a great longing came over me to behold
her again. I even began to hope that the conjoining of our fortunes
might bring the damsel to me, to be the joy of my life and the pride of
my future home. Already I was framing in my heart the sentences
wherewith I would plead my cause after the battle was over, both with my
grandsire and with Mustafa Khan. And I vowed that, in the fighting to
come, I would do some deed of daring that would surely win the girl's
father to my side.

"Meanwhile I wandered around the battlemen