RETREAT OF ZAIDO. 449 



him in a moment of all the clothes he had on. 

 His quick, almost convulsive, twitch round, as he 

 cast an imploring look, until he saw who it was, 

 made me smile, and throwing his cloth over him 

 again, I told him to come out directly. He faltered 

 out, " Tabanja, tabanja," wishing me to suppose he 

 had gone into the hut only to get my pistols for me. 

 Allee the First was waiting to go with us 

 to where the Kafdah men had already formed 

 a line, which was now extending fast to the 

 right and to the left by the additional men who 

 kept running up from the other Kafilahs on 

 our rear and flanks, to take part in the expected 

 fight. Thinking I was a long time, Allee stooped 

 to look into the hut, and laughed outright at the 

 trembling confusion of Zaido, who, however, was 

 quickened in his actions considerably by this, and 

 reaching to me my pistols, I soon buttoned on my 

 belt, and was ready. We then started, running as 

 fast as we could towards the squatting warriors, 

 Himyah with his matchlock joining in the race. 

 Immediately after taking a position between 

 Ohmed Medina and Moosa, where I had been 

 beckoned to come by the former, I missed one of 

 my pistols from my waist, it having fallen out 

 during the exertion of running. Pointing out my 

 loss, I jumped again to my feet, and looking in the 

 direction I had just come, saw Zaido standing 

 as if on guard over something, and calling 

 for me. Allee suspecting it was the missing 



VOL. I. G G 



