There was a curious air of expectancy upon their faces.

They knew that the crisis was at hand, that their nation's fate hung upon the scales, and they watched my every look and movement as though in them they expected to read an omen.

I too watched them out of the corners of my eyes, wondering whether I should escape from their savage company alive.

If once the blood lust broke out among them, it seemed to me that I should have about as much chance as a chopped fox among a pack of hungry hounds.
Once out of the town we saw no one until we came to the circle of guards which I have already mentioned, who stood there like an endless line of black statues.

In answer to their challenge Goza gave some complicated password in which my name occurred, whereon they opened out and let us through.