han's slave
prison. I don't suppose there are many inmates now while the fair is
going on."

Approaching footsteps put an end to the conversation, and in a moment
the door opened to admit a tall Arab, followed by a native with bandages
and a basin of water.

The Arab quietly loosened Melton's shirt and coat, and, washing the
wound, wrapped bandages spread with some soft ointment round his body.
He did the work speedily and dexterously, and then departed as silently
as he had come. He had barely gone, however, when a soldier entered with
a tray containing dates, figs, and a peculiar kind of cakes, which he
placed before the prisoners. They ate with relish, and then, overcome by
weariness, they lay down on the straw and fell asleep.

It was some hours later when Guy awoke. Night had come, for no light
shone through the aperture. He lay for some time listening to Melton's
deep breathing and thinking of their terrible situation.

He was not without hope of deliverance, for he placed a great deal of
faith in Makar's promise; yet even then the chances were against them.
Perhaps at this very moment Zaila had been retaken, and Makar was killed
or a prisoner. If this should happen they were lost. Guy shuddered to
think of Rao Khan's vengeance under such circumstances.

Presently he became aware of vague noises somewhere in the distance. He
fancied he heard shots fired and a loud tumult of voices.

He thought it might be imagination, but suddenly the sounds increased,
and once or twice footsteps hurried past the dungeon. The noise now woke
Melton, and together they listened, convinced that it was a presentiment
of coming evil. The strange sounds rose and fell, at times nearly dying
away and then bursting out with renewed violence.

"I can't understand it at all," said Guy. "It can't be a rejoicing over
the capture of Zaila, for they are plainly cries of anger."

"We'll know pretty soon what it means," returned Melton; "it concerns
us, you may be sure."

In his excitement he arose and began to pace the floor. His wound was
giving him no pain, he said, adding that he really felt pretty well
again.

At last the shouts seemed to come a little nearer, and before long the
fierce, angry cries were heard close at hand.

"They are surrounding the prison," said Guy, huskily.

He was right. A howling mob was on all sides of them now, and it was
quite clear that they were beginning to attack the walls of the
courtyard, for sud