Voices called blessings on him from dark doorways, lips blanching in death commended him to Allah, and now and then a shrill call told of a fighter who had been laid low, but who had a spirit still unbeaten.

Old men and women stood over their cooking-pots waiting for the moment of sunset; for it was Ramadan, and the faithful fasted during the day--as though every day was not a fast.
Sunset was almost come, as David left the city and galloped away to send forces to stop the gap of danger before it was filled by the foe.
Sunset--the Three Pashas were to die at sunset! They were with Achmet, and in a few moments they would be dead.

As David and Lacey rode hard, they suddenly saw a movement of men on foot at a distant point of the field, and then a small mounted troop, fifty at most, detach themselves from the larger force and, in close formation, gallop fiercely down on the position which Achmet had left.

David felt a shiver of anxiety and apprehension as he saw this sharp, sweeping advance.

Even fifty men, well intrenched, could hold the position until the main body of Ali Wad Hei's infantry came on.
They rode hard, but harder still rode Ali Wad Hei's troop of daring Arabs.