With a wild yell the Arabs started in pursuit.

They lay at first some 200 yards on his right, and he had therefore a considerable start of them.

His horse was fairly fresh, for the journey that he had made had only been about fifteen miles--an inconsiderable distance to an Arab steed.

For half a mile he did not think that his pursuers gained much upon him, riding as they had done sideways.

They had now gathered in his rear, and the nearest was some 150 yards behind him.