This force was led by no less a personage than the Pasha Ibrahim himself, whose fierce grey eyes glared beneath his shaggy brows at those who had slain his vizier.
Beside him rode the officer in command of his squadron, and another young man, in whom, although dressed in red fez and Turkish uniform, Jack recognised Herbert Murray.
He was attended by his servant Chivey, also dressed as a Turk.
They were all splendidly mounted; their horses fresh, and their troops well-disciplined.
As the two parties approached, the pasha's eyes were fixed upon Thyra.
"It is the Pearl of the Isles," he exclaimed, "who was stolen by these infidels from the harem. She shall yet be mine. One thousand piastres to the man who will capture her."
A dozen of his men instantly started in pursuit of Thyra, who was a little in advance of her companions.
Her beautiful Arab steed seemed to have taken a sudden fright, for it started off at lightning speed, independent of Thyra's attempts to turn him, for she wished to die or escape by the side of her companions.
Separated from them, and pursued by a dozen well-armed men, her position was indeed perilous.
The speed of her horse seemed her only chance.