a spate from the hills," he said between quick breaths.
"It is coming with the speed of ten thousand devils and there are five
miles to go before we can leave the nullah."

"Mount, then," the Englishman replied with cool decision. "We can but
ride."

And swiftly, as tired horses could lay legs to ground, they rode.

Desmond could catch no sound as yet of the oncoming danger; but the
practised ears of the native detected its increase, even through the
rattle of hoofs that beat upon the brain like panic terror made
audible.

"Faster,--faster!" he panted. His Captain's danger was the one
coherent thought in his mind. Desmond merely nodded reassurance; and
shifting a little in his saddle, eased matters as far as possible for
_Badshah Pasand_.[20]

[20] Beloved of kings.

The ground raced beneath their horses' hoofs. The serene strip of sky
raced above their heads. The imprisoning walls fell apart before their
eyes, seeming to divide like a cleft stick as they drew near, and
reeling away on either hand as they passed on. All things in earth and
heaven seemed fleeing in mortal haste save only themselves.

Theo Desmond heard the voice of the enemy at last:--an ominous roar,
growing inexorably louder every minute. At the sound his head took a
more assured lift; his mouth a firmer line; and the fire of
determination deepened in his eyes.

By a movement of the rein he urged Badshah Pasand to renewed effort.
But the devoted animal was nearing the end of his tether, and his
rider knew it. Thick spume flakes blew backward from his lips, and the
sawing motion of his head told its own tale.

Sher Dil, who was still going lustily, gained upon him by a neck, and
the Ressaldar turned in his saddle.

"The spurs, Hazur--the _spurs_!" he entreated, knowing well his
Captain's abstemiousness in this regard.

But Desmond shook his head. Badshah Pasand was doing his utmost; and
neither man nor beast can do more. He merely rose in the stirrups,
pressed his heels lightly against the quivering flanks and, leaning
forward, spoke a few words of encouragement almost in the charger's
ear.

The sensitive animal sprang forward with a last desperate output of
strength; and in the same instant a hoarse shout broke from Rajinder
Singh.

"An opening--an opening, Captain Sahib! By the mercy of God we are
saved!"

Five minutes later the whole party drew rein on the upper levels of
earth, and their sometime pursuer swept tumultuously onward