Suddenly his horse reared madly, struck down two Baggaras with its plunging hoofs, then fell backwards, crushing the Englishman between its body and those of two already dead Arabs. A dazzling glare of ruddy light flashed across Reeves's eyes, and he lost consciousness. When he came to himself he was in a darkened room. He felt as weak as the proverbial rat, his limbs were powerless, while he was unable to utter a sound. For some time he lay wondering if he was alive, till, with an effort, he called out--so feebly that he hardly recognized his own voice. Presently someone entered bearing a lamp, which he carefully shaded with one hand lest the glare should fall upon the wounded man. Reeves saw that it was Gerald. "Better?" asked the lad, being absolutely at a loss to say something different. "Aye," replied the correspondent, with a groan. "Where's Hugh?" "Sound asleep. He's all right." "And Garth?" "Like yourself; cut up a bit, but mending." "And the others?" "Only two of them came out of the scrap besides Garth and yourself--both more or less dead." "What's up with me?" demanded Reeves. "Not crippled for life, I hope?" "Crippled for life! I should think not," replied Gerald. "I'll tell you, only you must not talk any more, but go to sleep. Doctor's orders, you know. You've a spearthrust through the shoulder, another through your right leg above the knee, a gash across your forehead, caused, I believe, by a kick from your horse, and half a dozen gashes of minor consequence on various parts of your body. That's cheerful; but you are doing well, so the doctor says. Now, obey orders!" "One more question: how long have I been here?" "Eight days," replied Gerald. "Now I must inform the doctor that you are awake." Presently Sir Jehan's own surgeon--a man skilled in the use of herbs and in elementary surgery--entered, looked at his patient, and gave him a sleeping draught. In less than five minutes Reeves was sleeping peacefully. "He'll do," replied the doctor, in answer to Gerald's anxious enquiries. "He is as full of vitality as a man can possibly be. In a week or so he will be himself again." It had been a case of touch and go. But for the timely arrival of a strong body of horsemen, the gallant six would have been exterminated. As it was, the rescuers found only two sorely-wounded men, dismounted, fighting desperately back to back in the midst of a horde of Arabs.