of his
expected succours. Confident now that the day was won, he announced the
exhilarating intelligence to his soldiers; and, while they were excited
by the animating tidings, led them once more to the charge. It was
irresistible; Scherirah seemed to have arrived only for the pursuit,
only in time to complete the victory. What then was the horror, the
consternation of Alroy, when Benaiah, dashing up to him, informed
him that the long-expected succours consisted of the united forces of
Scherirah and Abidan, and had attacked him in the rear. Human genius
could afford no resource. The exhausted Hebrews, whose energies had been
tasked to the utmost, were surrounded. The Karasmians made a general and
simultaneous advance. In a few minutes the Hebrew army was thrown into
confusion. The stoutest warriors threw away their swords in despair.
Every one thought only of self-preservation. Even Abner fled towards
Hamadan. Asriel was slain. Alroy, finding it was all over, rushed to his
pavilion at the head of about three hundred of the guards, seized the
fainting Schirene, threw her before him on his saddle, and cutting his
way through all obstacles, dashed into the desert.

For eight-and-forty hours they never stopped. Their band was soon
reduced one-third. On the morning of the third day they dismounted
and refreshed themselves at a well. Half only regained their saddles.
Schirene never spoke. On they rushed again, each hour losing some
exhausted co-mate. At length, on the fifth day, about eighty strong,
they arrived at a grove of palm-trees. Here they dismounted. And Alroy
took Schirene in his arms, and the shade seemed to revive her. She
opened her eyes, and pressed his hand and smiled. He gathered her some
dates, and she drank some water.

'Our toils will soon be over, sweetest,' he whispered to her; 'I have
lost everything but thee.'

Again they mounted, and, proceeding at a less rapid pace, they arrived
towards evening at the ruined city, whither Alroy all this time had
been directing his course. Dashing down the great street, they at length
entered the old amphitheatre. They dismounted. Alroy made a couch with
their united cloaks for Schirene. Some collected fuel, great store
of which was found, and kindled large fires. Others, while it was yet
light, chased the gazelles, and were sufficiently fortunate to provide
their banquet, or fetched water from the well known to their leader.
In an hour's time, clustering round thei