the point where the river curved below the town, and converging upon
David's small fleet. Presently the steamers opened fire, to encourage
the besieged, who replied with frenzied shouts of joy, and soon there
poured upon the sands hundreds of men in the uniform of the Effendina.
These came forward at the double, and, with a courage which nothing could
withstand, the whole circle spread out again upon the discomfited tribes
of Ali Wad Hei. Dismay, confusion, possessed the Arabs. Their river-
watchers had failed them, God had hidden His face from them; and when Ali
Wad Hei and three of his emirs turned and rode into the desert, their
forces broke and ran also, pursued by the relentless men who had suffered
the tortures of siege so long. The chase was short, however, for they
were desert folk, and they returned to loot the camp which had menaced
them so long.

Only the new-comers, Nahoum's men, carried the hunt far; and they brought
back with them a body which their leader commanded to be brought to a
great room of the palace. Towards sunset David and Ebn Ezra Bey and
Lacey came together to this room. The folds of loose linen were lifted
from the face, and all three looked at it long in silence. At last Lacey
spoke:

"He got what he wanted; the luck was with him. It's better than
Leperland."

"In the bosom of Allah there is peace," said Ebn Ezra. "It is well with
Achmet."

With misty eyes David stooped and took the dead man's hand in his for a
moment. Then he rose to his feet and turned away.