They were mounted, mostly on camels. They did not
reveal their existence by taking part in the firing. They seemed to be
waiting some signal before they rode out into the plain, to complete
the merciless ring which would then surround the doomed occupants of
the Seven Hills.
There was not a moment to be lost, and Royson, having formed his plan,
put it into instant operation. He and the six sailors would be the
first to cross the sky-line, while a few Arabs would accompany them,
but hurry back as soon as they were visible, giving the impression that
they had gone to summon others. The men from the _Aphrodite_ would ride
straight, at top speed, towards the beleaguered party. Two minutes
later, Abdur Kad'r was to lead half his Arabs over the ridge and make
for the enemy's right wing, while, after a similar interval, Abdullah,
at the head of the remaining detachment, would similarly dash into
sight and advance against the enemy's left. The opposing force would
thus see three successive waves of rescuers, each apparently stronger
than its predecessor, coming from the only direction whence succor was
possible.
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