Page:On the Desert - Recent Events in Egypt.djvu/266

252 war, when a skirmish line was thrown forward so that each one could support the others, prepared alike for attack or defence. Two of the men on foot carried guns, one of whom instantly fell (of course, by pure accident) behind a bush, on which he could rest his musket. Their leader was a fierce-looking son of the desert, with all the dashing air of the daring brigand. He carried in his hand a spear, fifteen or sixteen feet long, pointed at both ends. They had evidently been on the watch for us, and came upon us with a spring and a bound, like a tiger on his prey. There could be no mistake this time; at last we were face to face with the robbers!

We drew up and halted. I was on the side nearest the chief of the party, who darted at me a quick, eager glance, as he rose on his horse with uplifted spear. I turned to look for our camels, which were scattered along behind us. They came on very slowly, lumbering over the hill; but still they came, and every moment brought them nearer. Ibrahim's old soldier with his rusty sword hurried up, as if he smelt the battle from afar, and the men with their match-locks were close behind him. The weapons I had so much despised before, had found their vocation now. The robber's glance followed mine, and he took in the situation in an instant. Meanwhile my cameleer had left me and advanced for a parley, and the two exchanged a few whispered words. It is said the tribes have a sort of freemasonry among them, by which a traveller who has paid tribute to one (as we had done when we paid the heavy blackmail at Nukhl) is allowed to pass through another, unless the two be at war. However this may be, any hospitable intent on the robber's part was strengthened by a sight of the force he would have to encounter; and so, making a virtue of necessity, this gallant knight of the road lowered his spear, and called aloud "Howadjis!"