132 THE LION KILLER. 



" They were aH following fast on our tracks, some on horse- 

 back and some on foot, tracking us on the sandy soil like 

 wild beasts. 



" There was no longer any use in flight, and we turned aside 

 to conceal ourselves as best we might. 



" Lakdar chose a clump of tamarind and thorn trees, and I, 

 leaping down the bank, ran into the water which came about to 

 my shoulder, while the running vines and broad-leaved plants 

 concealed my head from view from above. I had hardly 

 reached this place of comparative security when I heard the 

 voice of a horseman calling ' Come over here, we see their 

 tracks in the sand as clear as daylight, there are two of the 

 dogs together.* 



" Immediately the clatter of galloping feet, and the sound 

 of horses panting under their rapid course, came to my ears, 

 and announced the arrival of the Sheik with all his men. 



" ' Let ten men go forward,* he cried, ' until the tracks are 

 los"t, and then stand still watching both sides of the brook, 

 and then the rest of you my men, dismount and hunt up 

 the brook until you find the wretches, and bring them to me 

 alive or dead.' 



"I readily saw that when this order was carried out, 

 Lakdar's fate was decided. My concealment was better 

 than his, and I entertained the hope that I might be preserved 

 to revenge his fate. 



" At this moment I noticed that the water, which at first 

 was only up to my shoulder, was now moistening my lips, 

 and my feet were gradually sinking deeper in the mud. It is 

 gaid that h« who has never any fear, is not human, and I am 



