This suspense continued until they had rounded a ridge, composed
of hillocks of sand, which concealed from their main body the
object that had created this alarm among their scouts. Sir
Kenneth could now see, at the distance of a mile or more, a dark
object moving rapidly on the bosom of the desert, which his
experienced eye recognized for a party of cavalry, much superior
to their own in numbers, and, from the thick and frequent flashes
which flung back the level beams of the rising sun, it was plain
that these were Europeans in their complete panoply.
The anxious looks which the horsemen of El Hakim now cast upon
their leader seemed to indicate deep apprehension; while he, with
gravity as undisturbed as when he called his followers to prayer,
detached two of his best-mounted cavaliers, with instructions to
approach as closely as prudence permitted to these travellers of
the desert, and observe more minutely their numbers, their
character, and, if possible, their purpose. The approach of
danger, or what was feared as such, was like a stimulating
draught to one in apathy, and recalled Sir Kenneth to himself and
his situation.
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