Black faces peered in wonder.

The Legionaries caught sight of giant simitars, of fluttering white robes as the figures advanced.
"By Allah!" a hoarse shout echoed.

"Look, Mustapha! The Feringi!" In the shadows at the other end, the amazed Maghrabi swordsmen hesitated one precious moment.

White-rimmed eyes stared, teeth gleamed through distorted lips.
These gigantic _mudirs_, or Keepers of the Treasure, had expected the opening of the door to show them the Feringi, indeed, but preceded by Bara Miyan and surrounded by men of Jannati Shahr.
Now they beheld the dogs of unbelievers all alone, there, with guns in hands, with every sign of battle.

They had heard sounds of war, from without.