midday
We had passed through the heart of the host , and leaving the tribesmen who followed to deal with its flying fragments , rode on half a mile or so and mustered . Many were dead and more were hurt , but the command was issued that all sore-wounded men should fall out and give their horses to replace those that had been killed . This was done , and presently we moved on , three thousand of us now , not more , heading for Kaloon . The trot grew to a canter , and the canter to a gallop , as we rushed forward across that endless plain , till at midday , or a little after -- for this route was far shorter than that taken by Leo and myself in our devious flight from Rassen and his death-hounds -- we dimly saw the city of Kaloon set upon its hill . Now a halt was ordered , for here was a reservoir in which was still some water , whereof the horses drank , while the men ate of the food they carried with them ; dried meat and barley meal . Here , too , more spies met us , who said that the great army of Atene was posted guarding the city bridges , and that to attack it with our little force would mean destruction . But Ayesha took no heed of their words ; indeed , she scarcely seemed to hear them .