' So saying, Tancred shot the Arab in the red kefia
through the head, and with his remaining pistol disabled another of the
enemy. This he did, while he and his band were charging, so suddenly and
so boldly, that those immediately opposed to them were scattered. There
was a continuous volley, however, from every part of the defile, and the
scene was so involved in smoke that it was impossible for Tancred to see
a yard around him; still he galloped on and felt conscious that he had
companions, though the shouting was so great that it was impossible to
communicate. The smoke suddenly drifting, Tancred caught a glimpse of
his position; he was at the mouth of the defile, followed by several of
his men, whom he had not time to distinguish, and awaited by innumerable
foes.
'Let us sell our lives dearly!' was all that he could exclaim. His sword
fell from his wounded arm; his horse, stabbed underneath, sank with him
to the ground. He was overpowered and bound. 'Every drop of his blood,'
exclaimed the leader of the strange Arabs, 'is worth ten thousand
piastres.'
CHAPTER XXX.
_Plans for Rescue_
THERE is Besso?' said Barizy of the Tower, as the Consul Pasqualigo
entered the divan of the merchant, about ten days after the departure of
Tancred from Jerusalem for Mount Sinai.
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