They rode on as fast as they could get the groaning and complaining camels along, and were rapidly nearing the hills, when a warning cry came from their leader, in answer to which the guard turned back, leaving the camels to proceed alone, for the Emir’s officer had suddenly become aware of the fact that a band of at least a hundred of the mounted dervishes in full retreat had swooped round, and were dashing at them, certainly with no peaceful intent.
“It’s all over, Frank, lad,” cried Harry. “Let’s get alongside Morris and Landon. They may make us prisoners, but the wretches’ blood is up, and their only thoughts are to plunder and slay. Try and save them; here the wretches come.”
“Look, look!” cried Frank, for from their right front some four hundred yards away there was a gleam of steel, a glimpse of white helmets, and an opening outline of galloping horses racing out of a hollow.
The evolution was brilliant, and before it seemed possible, the line of horsemen with lowered spears were upon the advancing dervish band, which had already got amongst the Emir’s guard, fighting and dying in defence of their charge.
A minute? More likely half a minute, and a couple of squadrons of British cavalry had ridden through the dervishes, leaving the earth cumbered with dead and wounded men, whose horses galloped wildly here and there.
On went the cavalry, wheeled, and came back, cutting down all who resisted, the major portion of the enemy flying for their lives to east and north, for from the west a second squadron of the British horse was coming up at a gallop, a detachment checking and capturing the whole camel train.
How it came about Frank hardly knew, but somehow, mounted as he was, he found himself with his brother close to where the Emir’s officer, with a dozen of his men, had hacked their way from among a crowd of dervishes, just as the British cavalry had wheeled and come back, cutting up the assailants of the Emir’s guards, and the next minute had nearly been Frank’s last, for an English lancer rode in the mêlée at the Emir’s officer, who must have fallen had not a quick blow from Frank’s sword turned the lance aside.
The man passed on, but an officer dashed in, sword in hand, and Frank would have been laid low but for his brother’s act.
For Harry turned his horse and rode full at the advancing officer, their chargers coming together as he shouted wildly—
“Halt! Halt! English—English!”