Page:The further side of silence (IA furthersideofsil00clifiala).pdf/354

 "Help! Help!" roared the pilgrim, and his son- in-law, Saleh, and four other men ran out of the house threw themselves upon To' Kaya, and engaged him so hotly that in stepping backward he tripped and fell. As he lay on his back, however, he stabbed up- ward, striking Saleh in the elbow and deep into his chest; whereupon all his assailants incontinently fled.

To' Kaya then picked himself up. He had not been hurt in the struggle, for Saleh and his people had not stayed to unbind their spears which were fastened into bundles, and save for the slight wounds which he had received in his left hand and in his back, he was so far little the worse for his adventures.

Ile now withdrew to the Makam Lebai Salâm- the grave of an ancient saint of high repute and here he bathed in a well hard by, dressed himself. ad ate half a tin of Messrs. Iluntly & Palmer's "gem" bis- cuits, which he had brought with him from his house.

His toilet and his meal completed, he returned to the house of Haji Mih and shouted in a loud voice:

"Where are those men, my enemies, who engaged me in fight a little while agone?"

It was now 3 A. M., but the men were awake and heard him.

"Come quickly," he cried. "Come quickly and let us finish this little business with no unnecessary lelay."

At this challenge no less than ten men who had gathered in Haji Mih's house came out and began to throw spears at To Kaya; but though they struck