It was my last resource now; and if it availed not for defence it might at least serve to be used against ourselves.

With this thought I handed the pistol to Almah, and hurriedly whispered to her that if I were killed, she could use it against herself.

She took it in silence, but I read in her face her invincible resolve.
The storm at last burst.

The immense multitude rose to their feet, and with one common impulse came pressing on from every side toward the pyramid, apparently filled with the one universal desire of reaching me--a desire which was now all the more intense and vehement from these interruptions which had taken place.

Why they had fallen on their knees, why the paupers on the pyramid were still prostrate, I could not tell; but I saw now the swarming multitude, and I felt that they were rolling in on every side--merciless, blood-thirsty, implacable--to tear me to pieces.