staring them
in the face--savages in front, savages behind; both parties defended by
palisades, while they stood exposed between, to be shot to death in
their tracks. It was useless for the Arab leaders to attempt to
encourage them, for one after another of these brave men fell and died.
Khamis bin Abdullah fell, pierced by a dozen arrows, and his son, the
noble young Khamis--the proud-spirited young Arab--fell also across the
body of his father at the hands of the people whom he so much despised.
Mussoud, and Thani, and Amram died also bravely, and one after another
of their followers fell to rise no more, until those who were left threw
down their guns crying "Aman, aman!" (Mercy, mercy!) upon seeing which
the Watuta and Warori desisted from further murder, to make slaves of
those who cried for quarter.

The force under Amer bin Osman, Sheikh Mohammed, and Hamdan, and the
other chiefs, fared as badly. They were engaged in vigorously attacking
the inner defence in front of them, when they heard a loud gurgling
shriek issue from Sheikh Mohammed, who had been pierced in the nape of
the neck from an arrow behind, and on turning to see whence it came,
they were dismayed to find an enemy of another tribe behind them. Moto,
on seeing them, shouted "The Watuta! the Watuta! Olimali has betrayed
us into their hands." Bimba, hearing the words of Moto, desisted from
further attack, and came to Amer bin Osman, counselling him to fly with
him, and handing him a shield to cover his body, which, from the dress
he wore, was a prominent mark. Moto also held a couple of shields
before Selim, while Abdullah and Mussoud were ordered to do the same.

"Fly!" said the astonished Amer--"fly! Ah, Simba, my friend, had we
wings, we might fly. See you not the gate is closed?"

"The gate is closed, I know, great master, but Simba's arm is strong,
and I will force it open."

"No, Simba, I cannot fly to be butchered like a bullock outside. I
shall meet my fate here. Ha! do you hear that? See! the savages are
within. Khamis bin Abdullah is dead! Save my boy Selim, for his
mother's sake! Ho, my son, come to me! One embrace before we part for
ever; but, my son, remember, I shall meet thee in Paradise!"

The father and son were united in a fervent embrace when Amer received
an arrow in the back from within the inner inclosure, which caused him
to fall, with his son in his arms, to the ground. The arrow had been
driven by a strong