The confused
and dulled roar of voices came from the distance also; and, looking out
to the landward side, David saw a series of movements of the besieging
forces, under the Arab leader, Ali Wad Hei. Here a loosely formed body of
lancers and light cavalry cantered away towards the south, converging
upon the Nile; there a troop of heavy cavalry in glistening mail moved
nearer to the northern defences; and between, battalions of infantry took
up new positions, while batteries of guns moved nearer to the river,
curving upon the palace north and south. Suddenly David's eyes flashed
fire. He turned to Lacey eagerly. Lacey was watching with eyes screwed up
shrewdly, his forehead shining with sweat.
"Saadat," he said suddenly, "this isn't the usual set of quadrilles. It's
the real thing. They're watching the river--waiting."
"But south!" was David's laconic response. At the same moment he struck a
gong. An orderly entered. Giving swift instructions, he turned to Lacey
again. "Not Cairo--Darfur," he added.
"Ebn Ezra Bey coming! Ali Wad Hei's got word from up the Nile, I guess.
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