allenged as they approached. Ordering the troopers to
remain behind, Dick and Surajah rode forward.

"We are the bearers," Surajah cried out, as they reined in their
horses within twenty yards of the gate, "of an order from the sultan
for our admittance, and of a letter to Mirzah Mohammed Bukshy, the
governor."

"I will send up word to him," an officer on the wall replied. "I can
admit no one, until I have received his orders to do so."

"How long will it be before we receive an answer?"

"An hour and a half, at the earliest. I regret that your Excellencies
will be inconvenienced, but my orders are absolute."

"I do not blame you," Surajah replied. "It is necessary that you
should always be vigilant;" and they retired under the shade of a
tree, a hundred and fifty yards from the gate.

Ibrahim spread out the rugs, and then proceeded to light the fire, and
to prepare a pillau of rice and fowl, while Dick and his companion
regarded the rock with fixed attention, and conversed together as to
the possibility of ascending at any of the points so steep as to be
left undefended by walls. They concluded, at last, that it would be
next to impossible to climb the rock anywhere on the side that faced
them, save by scaling several walls.

They had just finished their luncheon when the gate opened, and an
officer and four soldiers issued out. They at once rose, and went to
meet them.

"I have the governor's order to admit you, on the production of the
sultan's pass."

Surajah produced the document. The officer at once recognised the
seal, and carried it to his forehead, salaaming deeply.

"Your troopers can enter at the gate, but cannot proceed farther than
the second wall."

"Can we ride up, or must we walk?" Dick asked.

"You can ride," he replied. "The road is steep, but nowhere so steep
that horses cannot mount it."

After the party had entered the gate, it was at once closed and
bolted. The troopers dismounted, and were led to a small barrack;
while Surajah and Dick, accompanied by the officer, and four soldiers
on foot, rode on.

The road was a better one than Dick had expected. It was just wide
enough for a cart to proceed up it, and was cut out of the solid rock.
It turned and zigzagged continually, and at each angle was a small
fort, whose guns swept the approach. They passed under a score of
gateways, each defended by guns; and after upwards of an hour's
climbing, at a quick pace, they approached one of