y pulled him to his feet, and off
they went again as rapidly as possible. All was quiet around them. A
deep silence, broken only by the occasional low of a cow, had enwrapped
the town. So far their escape had remained undiscovered.

"Ah, here we are," said Canaris joyfully, turning down a dark, dirty
passage, so narrow that the three could barely walk abreast. "In three
minutes we shall reach the wall."

Three minutes is not a long time, but it is long enough for many things
to happen. They had traversed half the length of the street when Guy,
moved by one of those sudden, unexplainable impulses, turned his head.

Ten yards behind, crawling with soft and stealthy tread, was a grim,
half naked Somali. How long he had been following in their track it was
impossible to tell. But there he was, a stern Nemesis, the moonlight
shining on spear and shield, and glowing on the dark, villainous
features.

Guy and Canaris wheeled round and stood with drawn revolvers. The Somali
clutched his spear and drew up his shield. The silence remained
unbroken.

One single cry and a mad horde would rush forth like bees from a hive.
The Somali made one step backward, then another, and then, opening his
mouth, he gave a yell that was caught up in horrible echoes till the
street fairly rang.

"Malediction!" cried Canaris, in uncontrollable fury, "that's your last
shout," and, taking quick aim, he pulled his revolver on the shouting
Somali.

A stunning report, a hollow groan, and down came the savage all in a
heap, while the heavy shield bounded with a clatter over the stones.

CHAPTER XIV.

OVER THE WALLS.

The crack of the revolver, following closely on the Somali's loud yell,
had barely died away in echoes when the dark street seemed fairly to
burst into life.

The fugitives did not wait to see the result of the shot, but as they
dashed madly forward they heard the people calling wildly to one another
as they hurried from their dwellings.

Even Melton kept up with wonderful endurance. The excitement had given
him false strength, and he kept even pace with Guy and Canaris.

Close at hand was the termination of the street, and as they were within
ten yards of it a big Somali suddenly leaped out and barred the way.

The fugitives were going at a rate of speed which it was simply
impossible to check. Canaris was a foot in advance, and in an instant
more he would h