Harold Lamb

“ The tall figure of an Arab emerged from the hole.
Although he had looked to see something of the kind, Sidi Ahmad felt a twinge of superstitious fear—fear that the dust and bones of the inmate of the tomb had taken human form. But this passed as he made out the dark countenance of the Cossack, blinking in the glare of the lamp.
Demid strode forward out of the cloud of dust from the shattered bricks that had walled up the passage, and stumbled against the massive rock that—fetched from the hillside—he had used to break down the barrier.
“Go back!” cried Lali, beside herself with anxiety. ”

“ A woman’s wit is sharp as the dagger of a Rifi thief; a woman’s soul is like a covered mirror wherein no man can behold truth with his eyes until the veil is drawn.
JAL-UD-DEEN, the treasurer of Sidi Ahmad, was taking a reading of the stars in the cupola of the tower when the third hour of the night drew toward its close. ”

“ For a time I feared the king of kings, who made gifts of a dagger’s point to other pashas of Aleppo, but to me he sent a damsel who is like the moon.”
The astrologer frowned.
“Why did the dog of a kazak burden himself with the maiden?”
“She was the surety of his mission—it would have put the shadow of doubt on his tale had he appeared in Aleppo without the woman.”
Sidi Ahmad fingered the scar on his cheek thoughtfully.
“Before the night is past my men will have thrust a spear into every corner of Aleppo, and the dog will be brought to me. He has not escaped the walls.” ”

“ With the first light Demid sent men to the nearest heights to try to place the detachments of janizaries that must be well up with them by now.
After ascertaining their position and that of the nearest pursuers they set out, keeping to the clay gullies, for they were in broken country here, close to the foothills.
Michael found that one of his saddle-bags was filled with heavy bits of gold. He took some up in his hand, wondering whether the treasure would serve them in the end. But Demid would not hear of abandoning it. ”

“ The dogs are biting him and his men. U-ha! Brothers, warriors, is your Cossack strength spent—are your horses hobbled? Faster, then!”
Emerging into the cleared space by the gate Michael saw Broad Breeches standing pistol in hand by the iron portal, while one of his men lay stretched on the earth. The other was engaging a trio of Moslems, who drew back as Demid and his men galloped up. ”

“ A shaggy head loomed over him and a voice rumbled in his ear.
“The little Frank is past his strength. I will see to it, but he has a true thought. We can not bear the money to our brothers if we talk about the road, with Satan’s hunting pack at our heels.” ”