A collision between them and the Ghoojurs was imminent.
The latter acted as if their only interest lay in their prisoner.

So far as she could judge no attention was paid to the rear, whence the danger of attack threatened.

The place of Mustad, at the head, confirmed her suspicion that he had been playing the part of guide for the rest from the first.
She did not doubt that her home and its contents had been burned by the wretches, but under the circumstances the matter gave her little concern.

She was inclined to believe that her captors meant to conduct her into the town of Akwar, nearby, and with her knowledge of the fanatical hatred of the population against all Christians she still hoped to find some friends there who would protect her from harm.

And thus it was that she was not in the state of collapse or despair that might be supposed.
Suddenly a pistol was fired from some point at the rear beyond her captors, and out of sight.