He started; a ferocious
soldier was kneeling over him; he would have spurned him; he found his
hand manacled. He would have risen; his feet were bound. He looked round
for Schirene, and called her name; he was answered only by a shriek.
The amphitheatre was filled with Karasmian troops. His own men were
surprised and overpowered. Kisloch and the Guebre had been on guard. He
was raised from the ground, and flung upon a camel, which was instantly
trotted out of the circus. On every side he beheld a wild scene of
disorder and dismay. He was speechless from passion and despair.
The camel was dragged into the desert. A body of cavalry instantly
surrounded it, and they set off at a rapid pace. The whole seemed the
work of an instant.
How many days had passed Alroy knew not. He had taken no account of
time. Night and day were to him the same. He was in a stupor. But the
sweetness of the air and the greenness of the earth at length partially
roused his attention. He was just conscious that they had quitted the
desert. Before him was a noble river; he beheld the Euphrates from
the very spot he had first viewed it in his pilgrimage. The strong
association of ideas called back his memory. A tear stole down his
cheek; the bitter drop stole to his parched lips; he asked the nearest
horseman for water.
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