Bullets hissed past him.

One carried away a button, one caught the tip of his ear, one pierced the fez he wore; but he felt nothing of this, saw nothing.

He was buried in the storm of battle preparing for the end, for the final grim defence, when his men would retreat upon the one last strong fort, and there await their fate.

From this absorption he was roused by Lacey, who came galloping towards him.
"They've come, Saadat, they've come at last! We're saved--oh, my God, you bet we're all right now! See! See, Saadat!" David saw.

Five steamers carrying the Egyptian flag were bearing around the point where the river curved below the town, and converging upon David's small fleet.