"Show him this ring."
Sarhad took off his ring and gave it to Musdo.
"Perhaps he will ask me something further."
"Tell him all about this caravan and the captives and what you have seen, and add that as soon as they enter the pass of Sakkal-Doottan we must fall upon the Kurds and take the captives and the plunder from them."
"I understand. How many of them are there?"
"Twelve."
"Who are they?"
"My comrades."
"Twelve men are plenty to oppose fifty in the pass of Sakkal-Doottan," remarked Musdo. "If you count me, there will be thirteen of us. But thirteen is an unlucky number."
"And if you count me, too, there will be fourteen, and fourteen is not unlucky."
"Four of us will be enough to block the entrance of the pass, and the devil himself will not be able to get through it. What a capital place you have chosen, master! But where will you stay meantime?"
"I shall follow the caravan secretly to the pass. But, by the way, does not your foot hurt you? The village of Bishingerd is a good way off."
"No it does not trouble me. The cursed bullet passed through the flesh without touching the bone. I have filled the wound with 'melhem'[1] and covered it tightly."
"How old is the wound?"
"The infidels gave me this hot kiss three days ago. Musdo has seen a good many like it; do not be afraid."
"Well, now go!"
Musdo and Sarhad parted without more words.
VII.
The reader is fairly well acquainted with Sarhad; we must now introduce his comrades.
Regardless of the fact that he was their leader, Sarhad
- ↑ A medicine made of herbs.
