The effect of these words on the populace was most magical. They all fell back and opened a space for the approach of a motley group of horsemen.
"The Khouans! the Khouans!" was whispered from one to the other.
They all crowded around and kissed the mantle of the chief.
"You are all cowardly murderers!" cried Albert. "Make an end of it."
"You want to die?" said the chief. "All right; but I warn you that your agonies will be terrible!"
Upon a wink from the chief the captain was tied to a post.
"Bring out the other prisoners!" commanded the Arab chieftain.
They were thirty in number, all French soldiers, and upon the direction of the chief they were led past the post to which Albert was tied.
"Long live our captain!" they cried, as they caught a glimpse of his uniform.