“If old Bob has got to go, I’d just as soon go with him,” said Frank.
Jack nodded solemnly.
As for the Arabs, said Ali:
“When we die in battle, we are sure of Paradise. The Prophet so promised.”
In case they failed to intercept the raiders and rescue Bob, Mr. Hampton planned to hunt out first the Korakum exiles whose names had been given him by Amrath, and whom he took to be leaders of the revolutionaries. It was possibly that they could be induced to aid in some plan for stealing Bob from Athensi before the holding of the Sacrificial Games, which Amrath had said were six weeks away. Failing to gain such aid, Mr. Hampton believed it possible the exiles might at least supply information which would enable them alone to penetrate the enemy’s stronghold and try to rescue Bob. For to this course, Jack and Frank had declared openly they would commit themselves, come what would.
And Mr. Hampton knew it was useless to try to dissuade them. Both were of age and, although guided by him ordinarily, in this matter they would act as they saw fit. Either they would rescue Bob or die in the attempt. The bond of union between the three inseparables was so sure and firm that Mr. Hampton would not attempt to go against it, even though it might mean the loss of his own son. As a matter of fact, he himself was equally determined to go the limit in attempting to rescue Bob.
As matters fell out, they were enabled to make the last march bringing them to the Shaitun Mountains entirely under cover of darkness. By saving their camels the latter half of the day, they covered the remaining distance at night, and arrived at the pass—plainly discerned through Mr. Hampton’s night glasses—in the early morning hours, before the sun was up.
Should they enter and hunt cover, or reconnoitre the mountain wall to either side first? This question had been left until the last moment for decision, as naturally the lay of the land would influence them.
On arrival, so gradually did the great stone road rise out of the sand and pierce the mountain pass, with bare steep walls on either side, devoid of verdure, that Mr. Hampton believed it was safe enough to push ahead. On those great rocky slopes, where the levelling process of Nature had been assisted by man in that dim age when the road first was built, by no possibility could men lie hidden. At this point they could neither ambush nor be ambushed.
Before proceeding, however, the sand was inspected by Arabs afoot for any signs that would indicate the recent entrance of horsemen into the pass. None was found. Then the marks left by the scouts were carefully obliterated.