The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 3 — page 102: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

486 THE RIVER OF DARKNESS. despot, Rao Khan, who ruled his people by the sword, and hated all Chris- tians with hatred that fanaticism alone can breed. The caravan ascended the hill and across the brow of the ridge stretched the massive, irregular wall of the town. ‘The great brazen gates were closed and in the oval turrets that rose sentinel-like above the wall, appeared no sign of life or motion. Then with startling suddenness came a trumpet blast and the quick, sharp roll of drums ; and from the town burst a tumult and volume of sound, and then over the walls, and peering curiously from the turrets, appeared a swarm of dark, repulsive faces. | The tumult deepened and changed to one vast murmur as the caravan -moved in dignified state up to the very gates of the ancient city of Harar. CHAPTER IX.—A CLOSE SHAVE. A BRIEF pause, then the gates swung on creaking hinges and the cara- van filed in between the dingy walls that had reared themselves from the summit of that hill for centuries. For an instant a hush of curiosity fell on the multitude within, as the cara- van appeared, but as the Arab leader suddenly flung to the breeze the Eng- lish ‘flag that had once floated from the fortifications of Zaila, a great shout arose, so that the very air seemed to tremble, and the people pressed tumult- uously on the caravan from all sides. ‘‘Zaila has fallen! Zaila has fallen !’’ they cried, and wild with joy, they flung their arms in the air, while those in the rear sought the housetops the better to see the new arrivals. In the first excitement Guy and Melton had escaped notice, but now they were suddenly spied, and the sight of the two hated Englishmen roused the passions to the highest pitch of ferocity. ‘The foreigners’ presence in the town was a sacrilege, an insult, and with threats and angry cries the mob surged round the group. At last so great was the crush, the camels were forced to halt. : ‘* Kill the infidels! Kill the dogs of unbelievers !’’ howled the multitude, and waxing more furious with every shout, they drew daggers and knives and raised their spears. The Arabs had quietly closed round Guy and Melton, forming with their camels a protective circle, and this alone saved the Englishmen from death. But every instant the situation was becoming more critical. ‘The mob grew bolder, and even tried to force the group apart in spite of the protestations of the Arabs, who had begun to point their rifles threateningly. Hundreds of savage faces glared unutterable hatred at the two strangers, hundreds of wretches were thirsting for their blood, and, finally roused to uncontrollable fury, the crowd swept impetuously against the caravan from all sides. The frightened camels pranced and reared, and the cordon of defense | suddenly broken, a dozen savages rushed on Guy and Melton. A long spear pierced Forbes under the arm and down he went beneath the camels. A burly wretch dashed at Guy with a dagger, but the Arab brought CORMGELIOOLX |