ght it
would have pierced my eye. I have two or three nasty gashes with their
swords on the legs, and I think that most of the other men came out
worse than I did. It was lucky that they did not strike at the horses;
but I suppose they wanted them, and so avoided inflicting injury on
them. However, it has been a tough fight, and we are well out of it. I
hope I shall not be called on to use my battle-ax again until I am
fighting in the ranks of the Rebu."

CHAPTER XIX.

HOME AT LAST.

When they neared Petra a horn was heard to blow, and people were seen
running about among the houses.

"They take us for a party of Arabs," one of the horsemen said. "As I
have often been through the town and am known to several persons here,
I will, if you like, hurry on and tell them that we are peaceful
travelers."

The party halted for a few minutes and then moved slowly forward
again. By the time they reached the town the news that the party were
traders had spread, and the people were issuing from their houses.
These were small and solidly built of stone. They were but one story
high. The roof was flat, with a low wall running round it, and the
houses had but one door, opening externally. This was very low and
narrow, so that those inside could offer a determined resistance
against entry. As the town stood on the slope of the hill, and the
roofs of the lower houses were commanded by those from above, the
place was capable of offering a determined resistance against
marauding tribes. The head man of the place met the travelers and
conducted them to an empty house, which he placed at their disposal,
and offered a present of fowls, dates, and wine. The news that a heavy
defeat had been inflicted upon one of the wandering bands excited
satisfaction, for the interference of these plunderers greatly
affected the prosperity of the place, as the inhabitants were unable
to trade with AElana unless going down in very strong parties. Every
attention was paid to the party by the inhabitants. Their wounds were
bathed and oil poured into them, and in the more serious cases boiled
herbs of medicinal virtue were applied as poultices to the wounds.

Petra at that time was but a large village, but it after ward rose
into a place of importance. The travelers remained here for a week, at
the end of which time all save two were in a fit state to continue
their journey.

Without further adventure the journey was continued to Moab. On thei