"Never," replied Humeed Khan. "She will perish in the ruins, but she will never yield."
"And Abbas Khan?"
"You know what he is, Meeah, only prouder and haughtier than he was; and he will never leave the Queen."
"And his wife, Zóra? Dost thou see her?"
"I see her, Meeah! She is more beautiful than ever she was; and he dotes on her like a fool."
"I owe him revenge for what happened at Juldroog, and for what happened in the Palace."
"And thou sayest she is thy wife. What wouldst thou give me for her?"
"I have little to give; but hark! ere we part. Give me the fort by any means thou wilt, and we may both be rich and free. Canst thou come again?"
"Not as I have done to-night; but I may be able to send a message. Now let me escape, and pretend to pursue me;" and Humeed Khan dashed on at his utmost speed, striking down one of the men who had held Sirkay apart. Sirkay shook himself free of the other, narrowly escaping a sword cut, and they soon rejoined the men they had left behind, who fired a volley of arrows to check the pursuers, and made their way into the fort.