apid speed; they changed places with their companions at full gallop;
then they would dash up to where we stood, and, discharging their
muskets, wheel about and give place to others, who followed at their
heels. Some would dash their haicks or turbans on the ground, and
leaning from their horses, would pick them up, without for an instant
slackening their speed. Next they shot at a mark, a flower on a pile of
stones being their target; and certainly they managed to hit it in a
wonderful way. The same men, however, would probably have but a poor
bag of game to show after a day's walk over the moors in Scotland. Our
friendly Sheikh accompanied us some way on our journey on the following
day, with many good wishes for our welfare. I must leave out the rest
of our adventures, till one evening, Hamed, our chief guide, pointing to
a line of lofty mountains which fringed the coast, exclaimed--

"There, most learned Taleb, at the foot of yonder mountains, you will
find the residence of the fierce Sheikh you seek. Further we dare not
go, as we have no wish to feel our throats being cut. Here we will
remain till you return, if you ever do return, which Allah grant may
soon be, though I am doubtful of it. If you do not come back, we will
report your loss to your friends, and trust they may find means to
avenge you."

Taleb Mohammed laughed at this speech, though he saw the difficulties in
our way; and next morning, leaving our tents and heavy baggage, we
entered the district of the Reefian chief. It was towards evening that
we approached his dwelling, which we discovered from its superior size
to the rest of the neighbouring sun-dried brick cottages, thatched with
reeds. It was surrounded by a garden, full of melon plants and vines,
and many other fruits, delicious in a hot climate; and backed by fields
of Indian corn. Before entering the village, we ascended a height,
whence Mr Vernon took a long anxious glance over the blue sea with his
telescope, which he had brought with him.

"There she is, D'Arcy," he exclaimed at length, in an animated tone,
pointing to a white speck just seen above the horizon, which I made out
to be a ship's royal. "I knew that Captain Poynder would be up to his
time. Now we can depend on help from without, if we can but find our
friends."

It was near the time that the voice of the Mueddin, from the summit of
the village mosque, announced that the hour of evening prayer had
arrived, and