But still they fought on with unabated vigour, and succeeded in preventing the enemy surrounding their encampment, and enclosing them in.
Kara-al-Zariel was ever in the thickest and most perilous part of the contest, encouraging his men with his presence.
He performed prodigies of valour, and his long hiltless Arab sabre was stained deeply with the blood of his foes.
The diver and the waiter both showed themselves skilful and valorous in fighting, and if Mole and Figgins failed to distinguish themselves so much, and preferred the more modest and retiring rearguard of the army, we must consider the weak nerves of one and the wooden legs of the other.
Bogey and Tinker were in their element, and their African blood spurred them on to deeds of bravery sometimes even approaching barbarity.
Thyra, stationed on horseback in the rear, had in her a spirit of heroism, which of her own will, would have led her to the very front of the battle.
But the entreaties of the chief and of Jack induced her to restrain her valour, and remain in a position of comparative safety from which she could see all that went on, and discharge a pistol when she saw a chance of bringing down a foe.
But by degrees the Arabs ranks were broken.
Their numbers where fearfully diminished, and no efforts of theirs seemed to make any perceptible diminution of that of the enemy.
So the chief resolved upon a retreat.