H. A. Lamb

“ V BERCA had disappeared; and when Khlit strode through the crowd of the caravan seeking her, his horse at his elbow, he met Toctamish. The Tatar was mounted and leading the pack-mule.
"Mount," he said gruffly, "and follow."
"And what of the girl!" queried Khlit, who was unwilling to take orders from Toctamish.
"She has told us to go on, as you know, caphar," snarled the Tatar, who disliked to talk. "Later, she will send word to us. Come."
"We are both fools. You, to be the slave of a painted girl, and I to seek for an empire which is not to be found, to slay a man who is hidden." ”

“ Khlit's words were silenced by a sudden uproar in the caravan. Men sprang to their feet and hauled at the camels who had kneeled in weariness. Traders who had been eating gave shouts of lamentation. Laden slaves ran together in confusion.
Toctamish stared at the uproar, until Khlit touched his shoulder. ”

“ The horsemen were headed directly toward the caravan.
"Robbers," said Toctamish briefly; "there will be a fight."
"A poor one, it seems," growled Khlit. "The Kurds are leaving us as fast as their horses can take them and your countrymen like the looks of things little—they have not drawn sword or bow."
In truth, the Tatars who were acting as guard, sat their horses stolidly, while the dismayed traders added to the confusion by rushing about frantically, trying to assemble their goods. Khlit turned his attention, in disgust to the oncoming horsemen, and counted a bare two score. ”