their brims with gold; and in a huge open iron-bound chest were as many gems of all colours and sizes as a man could carry.
"Quick!" cried the old man, as soon as he recovered himself; and he threw himself upon the coffer. "Quick! Help yourself! He is not here, but he will return. Quick!"
But, as he spoke, the spoilers heard the dull noise of rapidly approaching feet; and, ere they could hide themselves, a loud voice echoed through the cavern in anger and menace.
"Give me your staff," said Antar, as he seized it and rudely flung the beggar aside; and then he strode to the entrance of the recess, while the old man, trembling behind him, held the flickering torch aloft.
In a moment a stalwart form came into the uncertain light, and Antar, springing forward, dealt the new-comer a terrible blow. There was a brief struggle in the gloom. Antar was dashed backwarks upon the beggar, extinguishing the pine-
