Suddenly he was awakened by the growling of Saba, who previously had
lain down to sleep close by his feet.

Kali awoke also and both began to look about uneasily at the mastiff,
who, stretching out like a chord, pricked his ears, and with quivering
nostrils scented in the direction from which they had come, gazed
fixedly at the same time into the darkness. The hair bristled on his
neck and back and his breasts heaved from air which during the growling
he inhaled into his lungs.

The young slave flung dry twigs into the fire as speedily as possible.

"Master," he whispered. "Take the rifle! Take the rifle!"

Stas took the rifle and moved before the fire to see better in the
dusky depth of the ravine. Saba's growls changed into barks. For a long
time nothing could be heard, after which, however, from the distance
there reached the ears of Kali and Stas a hollow, clattering sound as
if some great animals were rushing in the direction of the fire. This
sound reverberated in the stillness with an echo against the stony
walls, and became louder and louder.

Stas realized that a dire danger was drawing near. But what could it
be? Buffaloes, perhaps? Perhaps a pair of rhinoceroses seeking an
exit from the ravine? In such case if the report of the shot did
not scare them and turn them back, nothing could save the caravan,
for those animals, not less ferocious and aggressive than rapacious
beasts, do not fear fire and tread under foot everything in their way.

If, however, it should be a division of Smain's forces who, having
encountered the corpses in the ravine, are pursuing the murderers? Stas
did not know which would be better--a sudden death or new captivity? In
addition it flitted through his mind that if Smain himself was in the
division, he might spare them, but if he was not, then the dervishes
would at once kill them or, what is worse, torture them in a horrible
manner before their death. "Ah," he thought, "God grant that these are
animals, not men!"

In the meantime the clatter increased and changed into a thunder of
hoof-beats until finally there emerged out of the darkness glittering
eyes, dilated nostrils, and wind-tossed manes.

"Horses!" cried Kali.

In fact they were Gebhr's and Chamis' horses. They came running, driven
evidently by fright, but dashing into the circle of light and seeing
their fettered companions, they reared on their hind legs; after which,
snorting, they implanted their hoofs in the g