The soldier drew his dagger and spoke again, "Die you will, but choose
whether you die swiftly or slowly. Why are you found in possession of
the finest _dalul_ among two thousand such owned by the Pasha of
Damascus?"
"I stole him--" Ali began.
At that moment, out in the thicket, one of the camels being led by the
dismounted Druse as they made their way among the trees and brush, chose
to grunt. The eyes of every man except the officer turned toward the
sound.
Ali said, "The Druse from whom I stole the _dalul_ are in close pursuit.
They are twenty-three in all."
Except for the officer, who thoughtfully kept the point of his dagger
pricking Ali's ribs, the Moslems scattered and, a few seconds later, it
was as though they had never been.