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The effect of these words on the populace was most magical. They all fell back and opened a space for the approach of a motley group of horsemen. "The Khouans! the Khouans!" was whispered from one to the other. They all crowded around and kissed the mantle of the chief. "You are all cowardly murderers!" cried Albert. "Make an end of it." "You want to die?" said the chief.
A deadly pallor overspread Medje's fine features, and sobbing bitterly she let her head fall on the horse's neck. "Oh, master!" she said, "why do you accuse me?" "Pardon me, child," said Monte-Cristo gently; "sorrow for the loss of my dear son has made me crazy. Oh, if I could only find him again." "Courage, dear master, courage! Our horses are as swift as the wind. You will conquer the Khouans.
He darted through the window, motioning to the remaining Khouans to do likewise. In an instant the room was empty; the Arabs had vanished like a vision of the night. Ten, fifteen minutes passed, and still not a sound to break the torpor of the Algerian night, save the hum of conversation around the table of Fanfar, the colonist. Monte-Cristo's sombre air had not passed away.
He was very angry when he heard that the prisoners had been massacred. "Unfaithful, traitorous people!" he exclaimed at the mosque at Uargla. "Who told you to disobey my orders?" The Khouans begged pitifully for mercy. "Allah demands obedience," continued Maldar; "and now bring the young prisoner, who is waiting in front of the mosque, for the sentence."
The lad is in perfect safety beneath my roof; his slumber will refresh him, and he will awake entirely restored. As for the Khouans, they never deign to visit my humble habitation, and they will hardly break their rule to come here now. Still, to satisfy you and put all your apprehensions at rest, I will go and take a look at the lad." He arose and went to Esperance's room.
"Then I say to you, Maldar Mohammed ben Abdallah, the hour for revenge has come. Death to the Giaours!" He paused for a moment; then continued: "Where are the Khouans?" "At Uargla." "Where are the Christian prisoners? Have my commands been obeyed?"
"And why do the Arabs refuse to permit you to remain in camp? Your cheeks bear the sign of an accursed caste, the brand of the murderous Khouans." Medje's face became fiery red. "Hear me," she said, "before you condemn me. You will be just to me not only on account of your brother but also for the sake of this child."
The Khouans sprang lightly from their weary horses, both men and animals going directly to the wells, where they took long draughts of the cool, refreshing water. The night was now far spent, and as the abductors of Esperance threw themselves upon the grass surrounding the wells, the first rosy streaks of dawn appeared in the eastern heavens.
The Count and Captain Joliette rode to the wells and at once saw where the grass had been beaten down by the Khouans and their horses. "They have been here and recently, too," said Captain Joliette. "Thank God!" said Monte-Cristo, fervently. "We are on their track! But what is that?" he added. "Is it blood?"
More than one hundred French prisoners are in the Kiobeh. The Khouans are not numerous and do not anticipate an attack. The defile of Bab-el-Zhur is easy to reach and only poorly defended. A force of bold soldiers could secure possession of the city in an easy manner. Success is certain."
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