The Hawk of Egypt by Joan Conquest
page 17 of 316 (05%)
page 17 of 316 (05%)
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in civilised, humane Europe?
There followed a frightful scene, during which Abdul, having picked up the pigeon, hastily flung his birds far behind the growling, spitting, raging couple, whilst the stallion, rearing in terror, nearly jerked his master, who had the bridle slipped over his arm, off his feet. The two dogs of Billi and the two greyhounds leapt and barked and snapped at the belligerents until Wellington, taking an off-chance, suddenly turned and bit one of them clean through the shoulder; whereupon it yelped and howled and fled, whilst shouts of "_Ma sha-Allah_" and much clapping came from the upper windows. Damaris ran straight towards the man, who, slipping the bridle, put both arms round her to draw her to safety; then, suddenly realising the beauty, the youth and the pure whiteness of her, as suddenly let her go. "Shall I separate them?" he asked simply. "No! Not even if you could. Once my dog's blood is up, nothing but death will satisfy him." She stood quite still, as white as a sheet, with both hands on his arm, whilst the great dog hurled himself at the spitting brute, only to meet the teeth and claws which drew blood at every attempt, until the ground was crimson where they fought. And then, with tears streaming down her cheeks, Damaris looked up into the man's face; then buried her face on his shoulder. |
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