On attempting to stand, I found myself so shaken, torn, and shattered that I could not again mount a _caldecta_ or wield a weapon; and was carried back to Askinta on a sort of inclined litter placed upon the carriage which had conveyed our booty.
I was mortified, as we approached the place where our vessel lay, to observe a veiled female figure on the deck.

Eveena's quick eye had noted our return some minutes before, and inferred from the early abandonment of the chase some serious accident.

Happily our party were so disposed that I had time to assume the usual position before she caught sight of me.

I could not, however, deceive her by a desperate effort to walk steadily and unaided.

She stood by quietly and calmly while the surgeon of the hunters dressed my hurts, observing exactly how the bandages and lotions were applied.