Between this educated Arab with his cosmopolitan experience and air of mystery, and all the young Athensian revolutionists, had developed a warm feeling of mutual liking and respect.
“I knew it,” said Jepthah. “Good. Would you take your men and report at once to Lieutenant Horeb.”
The latter had not gone down the Great Road to witness the start of the flight, but had remained in command of the tunnel guard.
Ali gave a quick nod, more eloquent than words, said something in Arabic to his four companions, whose eyes gleamed with satisfaction at the prospect of a fight, and without more ado the five set out in pursuit of the revolutionists.
Only Jack, Mr. Hampton and Jepthah were left in the little grove. Even the camels were missing, having been taken to the valley of Korakum to graze. Hardly had the last Arab disappeared up the Great Road than the clatter of hoofs was heard approaching, and a man on horseback dashed by making for the desert at a break-neck pace.
“Twenty-five miles away,” explained Jepthah. “The river flows swiftly, and they will row besides. Yet they cannot reach Korakum for an hour or more. I ordered one of the men to ride to the other pass and bring help. Thirty-six men will outnumber us two to one, and it is more than likely there will be many more.”
“Can help arrive from the other pass in time?” asked Mr. Hampton, anxiously.
“Not before the attack begins,” answered Jepthah. “But we will have the advantage, and can hold the enemy off, for a time.”
The defenders of Korakum had thrown up earth works at each bank of the river, where it broke from the interior mountain range into the valley. Besides, for a considerable distance along the river, inside the tunnel, they had dumped heaps of big rocks which rose close to the surface and against which, in the gloom, carried along by the swift current, boats approaching from Athensi would be smashed. Where the river emerged into the open, strong nets had been spread under the surface, staked down to the banks, and sharp stakes also had been driven into the river bottom.
The result was that boats approaching from Athensi would have a perilous gauntlet to run. Smashed against the rocks inside the tunnel, their occupants would be carried along into the nets and, if they managed to get through these, they would be involved in the sharpened sunken stakes below. All the time, rifle fire would be playing on them from the earthworks, and showers of arrows would be whirring into their midst.