When the slaves stopped, and Alma saw that the white palanquin bore a woman, he came forward. Zara slipped lightly out, without assistance, and ran to meet him.
"Zara!" he exclaimed.
"It is I, Alma." Then she continued breathlessly, "They have located you. The sentence of death hangs over you and your followers. You must flee quickly."
"How did you find out?"
"Ever since you went away I have lived on the name of Alma. Every breath that concerned you my intuition has ferreted out. The armies of the king have orders to march against you now, for the king fears the stronghold you are gaining among the people."
"And you came to tell me this! If they knew it, what would they do to you?"
"I don't know; I'm not going back to find out."
"Not going back?"
"No; I'm going with you—if you will let me."
"Let you, Zara!" A look of glad surprise broke over his face, as he took her tenderly in his arms. But amid all his joyful exultation, there was a fear in his heart of hearts. He knew that behind his cherished one lay luxury and pleasure, and ahead of her was—the desert.