Babalatchi followed close behind his protector.

Abdulla was accompanied by two Arabs.

He, like his companions, was dressed in a white robe of starched muslin, which fell in stiff folds straight from the neck.

It was buttoned from the throat halfway down with a close row of very small gold buttons; round the tight sleeves there was a narrow braid of gold lace.

On his shaven head he wore a small skull-cap of plaited grass.