This figure, which was entirely hidden in a long cloak with a hood, appeared to be watching our camp just as a spy might do.

Higgs lifted his rifle and fired at it, but Oliver, who was standing by him, knocked the barrel up so that the bullet went high, saying: "Don't be a fool.

If it is only one man there's no need to shoot him, and if there are more you will bring them on to us." Then the figure urged the weary horse and advanced slowly, and I noticed that it was very small.

"A boy," I thought to myself, "who is bringing some message." The rider reached us, and slipping from the horse, stood still.
"Who are you ?" asked Oliver, scanning the cloaked form.
"One who brings a token to you, lord," was the answer, spoken in a low and muffled voice.

"Here it is," and a hand, a very delicate hand, was stretched out, holding between the fingers a ring.
I knew it at once; it was Sheba's ring which Maqueda had lent to me in proof of her good faith when I journeyed for help to England.