We have purposed no harm; and yet but for your brave interference and protection these people would have killed us.
As you have divined, sir, we are not mad; neither are we violent or bloodthirsty." The gentleman turned to his retinue and said calmly: "Lash me these animals to their kennels!" The mob vanished in an instant; and after them plunged the horsemen, laying about them with their whips and pitilessly riding down such as were witless enough to keep the road instead of taking to the bush.

The shrieks and supplications presently died away in the distance, and soon the horsemen began to straggle back.

Meantime the gentleman had been questioning us more closely, but had dug no particulars out of us.

We were lavish of recognition of the service he was doing us, but we revealed nothing more than that we were friendless strangers from a far country.

When the escort were all returned, the gentleman said to one of his servants: "Bring the led-horses and mount these people." "Yes, my lord." We were placed toward the rear, among the servants.