NASSUK 
153 
in having fallen in with so active and zealous a guide, 
through such wild and intricate passes ; and they 
followed him with perfect confidence. Here and 
there they caught a glimpse of the retreating ban- 
ditti, winding down the rugged water-course in the 
gorge of a narrow valley, or round the jutting angle 
of a distant hill, until they entered the forest, where 
all was deep obscurity. Aboo Dudmaun led them 
on, continually cautioning them against ambuscades, 
but expressing a firm conviction that the gang would 
eventually retire within their principal fastness, for 
the purpose of defending their treasure ; and he, 
moreover, promised them an easy conquest and im- 
mense booty. 
Having traversed about three miles of dense forest, 
the soil whereof was damp, and the air chill, despite 
the blistering intensity of a tropical sun which blazed 
upon the foliage above, the pursuing party emerged 
upon the little glacis which surrounded the exca- 
vated hill, just in time to behold the rear of the 
bandit’s troop filing up the ramp, and retiring within 
the eastern entrance to the great cave. Requesting 
the leader to call a halt, Aboo Dudmaun now sug- 
gested that the trunk of some young tree would 
supply them with such a battering-ram as might be 
easily wielded by a score of dismounted troopers, and 
which would enable them to demolish the gates of 
o 
the cavern by half-a-dozen well-directed blows. The 
advice was no sooner given than acted upon ; and, 
