How--" "How old beards love to wag! Fool! Go ask him then! I call these men to witness I have given the order that he told me to give to you.

I wash my hands!" She began to make the gesture of washing hands, but thought better of it, for I might have mistaken that for a signal.

Old Ibrahim ben Ah looked straight into her eyes, read resolution there, and bowed like a courtier to a queen.

Then he turned on his heel, strode back to his camel, mounted, and returned to his men without another word to any one.

Yet I dare bet that he had counted us, and knew we were all strangers, and dare say his thoughts would fill a good long chapter of a book.
Grim continued to sit his camel motionless until the raiders under Ibrahim ben Ah had formed into four long lines and ridden away westward, towing enough baggage-animals behind them for a week or two's supplies.
"One hundred and forty men," he announced when they were gone.
"The Lion of Petra can't have many left.".