Zaki was the first to wake.
"Day is just breaking, master." "You don't say so!" Gregory grumbled, sleepily.

"It seems to me that we have only just lain down." They ate the remainder of their dates, took a drink of water, and gave two gourdfuls to the horses; and, in a quarter of an hour, were on their way again.

They had ridden but two or three miles, when Zaki exclaimed: "There are some horsemen!" "Eight of them, Zaki, and they are evidently riding to cut us off! As far as I can see, only four of them have guns; the others have spears.
"I think we can manage them.

With my breech-loader I can fire two shots to their one, and we have pistols, as well." The Arabs drew up ahead of them, and remained quiet there until the others came to within fifty yards, and checked their horses.

A man who appeared to be the leader of the party shouted the usual salutation, to which Gregory replied.
The leader said, "Where are my friends going and why do they halt ?" "We are on a mission.