d you, too, may
be betrayed as I have been. Rather should you ask me to forgive your
soul the insults that in your hour of triumph you have not been ashamed
to heap upon one who is powerless to avenge them," and he urged his
camel past him.

As we followed I saw Joshua's face turn as pale as Oliver's had done,
and his great round eyes protrude themselves like those of a fish.

"What does he mean?" said the prince to his companions. "Pray God he is
not a prophet of evil. Even now I have a mind--no, let him go. To break
my marriage vow might bring bad luck upon me. Let him go!" and he glared
after Oliver with fear and hatred written on his coarse features.

That was the last we ever saw of Joshua, uncle of Maqueda, and first
prince among the Abati.

Down the pass we went and through the various gates of the
fortifications, which were thrown open as we came and closed behind us.
We did not linger on that journey. Why should we when our guards were
anxious to be rid of us and we of them? Indeed, so soon as the last gate
was behind us, either from fear of the Fung or because they were in a
hurry to return to share in the festivities of the approaching marriage,
suddenly the Abati wheeled round, bade us farewell with a parting curse,
and left us to our own devices.

So, having roped the camels into a long line, we went on alone, truly
thankful to be rid of them, and praying, every one of us, that never
in this world or the next might we see the face or hear the voice of
another Abati.

We emerged on to the plain at the spot where months before we had held
our conference with Barung, Sultan of the Fung, and where poor Quick had
forced his camel on to Joshua's horse and dismounted that hero. Here we
paused awhile to arrange our little caravan and arm ourselves with
the rifles, revolvers, and cartridges which until now we had not been
allowed to touch.

There were but four of us to manage the long train of camels, so we were
obliged to separate. Higgs and I went ahead, since I was best acquainted
with the desert and the road, Oliver took the central station, and
Roderick brought up the rear, because he was very keen of sight and
hearing and from his long familiarity with them, knew how to drive
camels that showed signs of obstinacy or a wish to turn.

On our right lay the great city of Harmac. We noted that it seemed to be
quite deserted. There, rebuilt now, frowned the gateway through which we
had escaped from the