ed and barred on
the last of them. This done, we paused to consider our position. True we
had driven the enemy from the citadel, but then, unless we could find a
means of escape, we ourselves were equally prisoners in it. What was to
be done?

Leaving three of our party to guard the doors, the remainder searched
the adjoining rooms for a means of escape; but though we were
unsuccessful in our attempt to find an exit, we did what was the next
best thing to do, discovered our cowardly guide in a corner, skulking in
a curious sort of cupboard.

By the time we had proved to him that the enemy were really driven out,
and that we had possession of the mosque, he recovered his wits a
little, and managed, after hearing our promise to throw him to the mob
outside unless he discovered a means of escape for us, to cudgel his
brains and announce that he knew of one.

No sooner did we hear this, than we resolved to profit by it. The mob
outside was growing every moment more impatient, and from the clang of
steel-shod rifle butts on the stone steps we came to the conclusion that
the services of a force of soldiery had been called in. The situation
was critical, and twice imperious demands were made upon us to open the
door. But, as may be supposed, this we did not feel inclined to do.

"Now, for your way out," I said, taking our trembling guide, whose face
seemed to blanch whiter and whiter with every knock upon the door, by
the shoulders, and giving him a preliminary shake. "Mind what you're
about, and remember, if you lead us into any trap, I'll wring your
miserable neck, assure as you're alive. Go ahead."

Collecting our boots and shoes, which, throughout the tumult, had been
lying scattered about upon the floor, we passed into the ante-room, and
put them on. Then creeping softly out by another door, we reached a
small courtyard in the rear, surrounded on all sides by high walls. Our
way, so our guide informed us, lay over one of these. But how we were to
surmount them was a puzzle, for the lowest scaling place was at least
twelve feet high. However, the business had to be done, and, what was
more to the point, done quickly.

Calling the strongest of the tourists, who were by this time all quite
sober, to my side, I bade him stoop down as if he were playing
leap-frog; then, mounting his back myself, I stood upright, and
stretched my arms above my head. To my delight my fingers reached to
within a few inches of the top of th