Page:The Slave Girl of Agra.djvu/199

 and they wait hard by—those who seek thy life and mine."

"And where are the vile caitiffs concealing themselves?"

"Not here, for it is too open a place. They hide themselves in yonder bushes, I warrant thee."

"They shall not hide themselves long if my good sword can reach them."

"Be not rash, and remember thou art the Emperor's messenger. They have not marked us yet in the dark. Leave the wounded horse to die and let us steal ahead. If the tired horse cannot carry us, surely we can walk twenty miles before the sun is high in the heavens."

With a heavy heart Noren walked forward with Jelekha, leading the spent horse. Yet often he looked back towards the tree where the wounded beast was tied, and his blood boiled at the idea of the cowardly deed left unrevenged.

But they had not proceeded far when they heard the sound of hoofs; and in the light of the rising moon they could see two horsemen coming towards them from the bushes where they had concealed themselves, as Jelekha had rightly guessed.

"Lead this horse behind the tree, Jelekha, and leave a soldier to his work. They are two against one, but this rock will befriend me."

The horsemen had marked Noren and Jelekha from the time of their arrival, and now came forward slowly and cautiously. Noren had taken his stand against a huge black boulder, sword in hand, and Jelekha stood behind the tree where she had tied the noble animal, now tired and worn out with the journey from Agra.