Page:Marion Crawford - Khaled.djvu/265

 Khaled drew the bolts and unfastened the locks, and opened the gates inward and stood forth alone in the morning light, his sword in his hand and his soul burning in his eyes.

'Khaled!' cried the first who saw him, and the cry was taken up.

The shout was great, and full of joy and shook the earth. For the multitude had grown hot in anger against Abdullah, while they battered at the gates, supposing that he had slain Khaled. But he himself could not at first distinguish whether they were angry or glad.

'If any man wishes to take my life,' he cried, 'let him come and take it.'

And the sword they all knew in battle, began to make a storm of lightning about his head in the morning sun.

Then the strong man who had wrestled and thrown the other before dawn, stood out alone and spoke in a loud voice.

'We will have no Sultan but Khaled!' he cried. 'Give us Abdullah that we may make trappings for our camels from his skin.'

Then Khaled sheathed his sword and came forward from under the gate, and Zehowah stood veiled beside him.

'Where is this Abdullah?' he asked. 'Find him if you can, for I would like to speak with him.'