The Well of Moses lies down there," and the Arab, more by force of
habit than because Royson could see him in that gloomy defile, threw
out his chin towards the east.
Suddenly, it struck Royson that provided he had guessed aright, the
Roman Legion which sacked Saba must have marched over this identical
spot, in their effort to reach the Nile. After twenty marches, von
Kerber said, they were waylaid by a Nubian clan and slain--every man--
from the proud tribune down to the humblest hastatus. Perhaps they were
surrounded in some such trap as this valley would provide. And what a
fight that was! What deeds of valor, what hewing and stabbing, ere the
last centurion fell at the head of the last remnant of a cohort, and
the despairing Greek commissary, gazing wild-eyed from some nook of
safety, saw the Roman eagle sink for ever!
Abdur Kad'r, little dreaming of the train of thought he had aroused,
moved on again. Dick had drawn taut the head-rope of his unwilling
camel when the brute uttered a squeal of recognition, and both men saw
several mounted Arabs silhouetted against the northern sky-line.
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