There was something in that theory, for we learned later what Kagig's
ferocity could be when driven hard enough. But from first to last
those men of Zeitoon never showed a symptom of treachery, although
their resentment at having to turn their backs toward home appeared
to deepen hourly.

With strange unreason they made no haste, whereas we were in a frenzy
of impatience; and when Fred sought to improve their temper by singing
the songs that had hitherto acted like charms on Kagig's whole command,
they turned in their saddles and cursed him for calling attention to us.

"Inch goozek?" demanded one of them (What would you like?), and with
a gesture that made the blood run cold he suggested the choice between
hanging and disembowelment.

Will solved the speed problem by striving to push past them along
the narrow track; and they were so determined to keep in front of
us that within half an hour from the start our horses were sweating
freely. Then we began to climb, dismounting presently to lead our
horses, and all notions of speed went the way of other vanity.

Several times looking back toward our right hand we caught sight
of Kagig's string threading its way over a rise, or passing like
a line of ants under the brow of a gravel bank. But they were too
far away to discern which of the moving specks might be Monty, although
Kagig was now and then unmistakable, his air of authority growing
on him and distinguishing him as long as he kept in sight.

We saw nothing of the footprints in soft earth that Maga had read
so offhandedly. In fact we took another way, less cluttered up with