They were in the middle of their repast when they heard the sound of running feet and a great commotion. Looking up they beheld one of the women of the village running towards them well-nigh panic-stricken, and filling the air with screams. This woman rushed into a hut, and came out again with all her portable belongings.
By then the little street was crowded with old men, women and children, wringing their hands in desperation, and uttering such moans and supplications as were heartrending to listen to. It was remarkable that among the crowd there were not more than five young men at the most; the majority were women, and of the children there were few who were not three years of age.
Crouch looked about him, and caught sight of his "blood-brother," who was no less distracted than the rest. He laid hold of this fellow by the arm, and with great difficulty managed to discover what had happened.
The "blood-brother" had just persuaded his relatives to return to the village; he had explained, at last, to their satisfaction that the new white men were not the servants of the Fire-gods, when suddenly the Fire-gods themselves had been seen approaching up the valley. At that, the whole population had taken to their heels. They knew not where they were going, for it was the custom of the Fire-gods to come upon them from both sides at once, and if they tried to escape they were shot without mercy. The great Fire-god was there himself--the tall, white man with the black beard--and it was he whom they feared even more than the Arabs.
Crouch looked at Edward. There was a twinkle in his eye.
"There's going to be fun," said he.
"It will come to a fight," said Edward; "and I'm not sorry for that."
"I hope it won't," said Crouch. "There are many things we ought to find out before we come to blows. As far as I can understand from my worthy 'blood-brother,' Cæsar is coming here for palaver. They'll hold palaver in the street; and if we hide in a hut we ought to overhear what the advertisements in the newspapers call 'something to our advantage.'"
"I see," said Edward; "and if we're discovered, we fight."
"Exactly," said Crouch. "That's the idea."