224 
RETREAT OF THE ARAB BANDITTI. 
at the top of the hill to observe the confusion they had wrought, 
instead of descending to attack us on the flat ground, which we 
expected, separate, and set off in full charge along the brow 
of the hills towards the flying groups; some of whom, no 
doubt, they made an easy prey. However, we did not allow 
this shew of abandoning the ground to put us off our guard, 
but marched forward with our pistols in our hands, and rifles 
cocked. Indeed, from the demeanour of our enemies, I believed 
that a little warm work was in waiting for us, before we should 
cross the ridge of the heights ; a new squadron appearing for an 
instant across our way, who gave us a hint of nearer acquaint¬ 
ance, by the shot of a few bullets in the old Parthian style, 
as they flew past us along the hills. We did not return the 
compliment; all of us now thinking it better to husband our 
demonstrations, till we should come to closer contact with some 
of the hundred, who our late scouts still persisted in declaring 
were beleaguring the heights in front. However, this parting 
salute, happily proved the last. We marched quietly through 
the expected most dangerous places, without the smallest mo¬ 
lestation ; all, indeed, was so still and lonely, that Sedak and 
myself felt assured that the whole party of brigands, our friends 
had so egregiously miscounted in their haste to bring the infor¬ 
mation, were comprised in the two slender troops we had seen, 
and their, probably, not more numerous band who had begun the 
affray in our rear. 
Nothing can describe the garrulous joy with which the honest 
chawosh turned the fearful ridge, and began to descend the 
southward brow of the sandy hills, leading to the broad day-light 
plain of safety at their base. Both he and the few pilgrim 
horsemen who had not deserted us, discharged their pistols and 
guns as a feu dejoye; and thanking God, over and over again, 
