200 
1 PURSUE A FUGITIVE\ 
[chap. V. 
side of the valley was bounded by a high range of 
mountains, rising to six or seven thousand feet above 
the general level of Latooka, while the extreme end 
was almost blocked by a noble but isolated mountain 
of about 5,000 feet. 
Our path being at the foot of the Lafeet chain, the 
ground was sandy but firm, being composed of disin¬ 
tegrated portions of the granite rocks that had washed 
down from the mountains, and we rode quickly along 
a natural road, equal to the best highway in England. 
We soon overtook Ibrahim and his party, and re¬ 
counted the affair of mutiny. 
The long string of porters now closed together as 
we were approaching a rebel town of Latooka that 
was hostile to both Turks and others. Suddenly one 
of the native porters threw down his load and bolted 
over the open ground towards the village at full speed. 
The fellow bounded along like an antelope, and was 
immediately pursued by half-a-dozen Turks. “ Shoot 
him ! shoot him ! knock him over! ” was shouted from 
the main body; and twenty guns were immediately 
pointed at the fugitive, who distanced his pursuers as 
a horse would outstrip an ox. 
To save the man I gave chase on “Filfil,” putting 
myself in the line between him and the guns, to 
prevent them from firing. After a short course I 
