'  Ah !  had  we  now  some  of  my  good  guns,'  cried  the  Sultaun,
as  he  beheld  their  preparations  for  defence,  '  we  would  soon  dis-
lodge those  unblessed  kaiirs.  By  Alia,  they  have  a  gun  too  !
there  must  be  some  one  yonder  who  understands  fighting  better
than  those  we  have  yet  seen.'

'  May  their  mothers  be  defiled ! '  cried  a  gasconading  com-
mander of  a  battalion  of  infanty,  who  was  well  known  for  his
boasting.  'Who  are  they  that  dare  oppose  us?  my  men  are
fresh '  (for  they  had  just  come  up  from  the  rear),  '  and  if  I  am
ordered  I  will  go  and  bring  the  fellow's  head  who  is  pointing  the
gun  yonder.'

'  Ameen  ! '  said  the  Sultaun,  quietly ;  '  be  it  so — thou  hast
volunteered — go  1  Stir  not  thou,  Kasim  Ali,  but  remain  here  j
we  may  require  thee-'

The  officer  addressed  his  men  for  a  few  moments,  formed  them
as  compactly  as  he  could  on  the  narrow  wall,  and  placing  him-
self at  their  head,  with  loud  cries  of  '  Alia  Yar ! '  they  dashed  on,
followed  by  many  who  had  collected  during  the  pause.  Those
in  the  enclosure  reserved  their  fire  till  they  were  near.
'They  have  no  ammunition,'  cried  the  Sultaun;  'Ya  Fukr-
oo-deen  !  Ya  Nathur  WuUee  !  I  vow  a  covering  for  both  your
tombs  if  they  take  the  place.'  But  as  he  made  the  invocation,
they  saw  (for  all  were  looking  from  the  tower  where  they  had
stayed  in  intense  eagerness)  one  of  the  men  inside  the  enclosure
lift  a  match  to  the  gun,  and  apply  it ; — it  would  not  ignite.
