about four
to one
He heard a fierce war-cry , saw one of the savage dervishes rising in his saddle with a spear poised to deliver a thrust , which he felt that he must in some way parry , and almost simultaneously the dervish 's horse swerved to avoid the coming shock , the consequence being that the fierce thrust was delivered wildly in the air , as the chest of Frank 's Arab struck just behind the black 's saddle . The next moment horse and rider were rolling in the sandy dust , while after delivering a fierce cut which took effect upon his adversary , the young Emir uttered a fiercely defiant cry , and the two companions were tearing across the opening , making for a street in front , followed by half a dozen yelling dervishes who had wheeled round their horses and started in pursuit . Before , however , they could get their active little mounts into their stride Frank and the young Emir were twenty yards ahead , the former resettling himself in his saddle after being nearly thrown , and the latter half turned , shaking his sword defiantly , seeing with malicious joy that his adversary was _ hors de combat _ , half lying upon the ground , while Frank 's was limping after his horse , which stood shaking itself after recovering its feet . The young Emir shouted something to Frank , who answered it with a nod , taking it for granted that as the enemy were still somewhere about four to one , their duty was to gallop for their lives , while he , moment by moment , became more confident as he found that all he had to do was to keep his seat and leave the future movements to his companion and his horse . As to escaping , of that there seemed to be no doubt , for they two were far better mounted than their enemies , and could easily outstrip them unless some unforeseen accident occurred . But unforeseen accidents generally do occur at the most awkward moments , and it was so here . The streets were encumbered as usual in that teeming hive of misery , and at the sound of the shouting and the dull thud of horses ' hoofs , the occupants of the crowded streets they passed through pressed closely to the walls of the low houses on either side , but there _ were _ some very close shaves .