“Thinkest thou so?” I answered.  “More like that we shall be slain,” a saying at which he smiled a little more than usual and shrugged his shoulders, since for all his soft ways, Oros was a brave man.  Also I believe that he spoke to try me, knowing that his mistress would take no harm.

Ayesha held up her hand, in which there was no weapon, and waved it forwards.  A great cheer answered that signal to advance, and in the midst of it this frail, white-robed woman spoke to her horse, so that it plunged deep into the water.

Two minutes later, and spears and arrows were flying about us so thickly that they seemed to darken the sky.  I saw men and horses fall to right and left, but nothing touched me or the white robes that floated a yard or two ahead.  Five minutes and we were gaining the further bank, and there the worst fight began.

It was fierce indeed, yet never an inch did the white robes give back, and where they went men would follow them or fall.  We were up the bank and the enemy was packed about us, but through them we passed slowly, like a boat through an adverse sea that buffets but cannot stay it.  Yes, further and further, till at last the lines ahead grew thin as the living wedge of horsemen forced its path between them—­grew thin, broke and vanished.

We had passed through the heart of the host, and leaving the tribesmen who followed to deal with its flying fragments, rode on half a mile or so and mustered.  Many were dead and more were hurt, but the command was issued that all sore-wounded men should fall out and give their horses to replace those that had been killed.

This was done, and presently we moved on, three thousand of us now, not more, heading for Kaloon.  The trot grew to a canter, and the canter to a gallop, as we rushed forward across that endless plain, till at midday, or a little after—­for this route was far shorter than that taken by Leo and myself in our devious flight from Rassen and his death-hounds—­we dimly saw the city of Kaloon set upon its hill.

Now a halt was ordered, for here was a reservoir in which was still some water, whereof the horses drank, while the men ate of the food they carried with them; dried meat and barley meal.  Here, too, more spies met us, who said that the great army of Atene was posted guarding the city bridges, and that to attack it with our little force would mean destruction.  But Ayesha took no heed of their words; indeed, she scarcely seemed to hear them.  Only she ordered that all wearied horses should be abandoned and fresh ones mounted.

Forward again for hour after hour, in perfect silence save for the thunder of our horses’ hoofs.  No word spoke Ayesha, nor did her wild escort speak, only from time to time they looked over their shoulders and pointed with their red spears at the red sky behind.

I looked also, nor shall I forget its aspect.  The dreadful, fire-edged clouds had grown and gathered so that beneath their shadows the plain lay almost black.  They marched above us like an army in the heavens, while from time to time vaporous points shot forward, thin like swords, or massed like charging horse.