“At all events I shall not lose sight of it. There is something remarkable about it that excites my curiosity. Sometimes it looks like a body of cavalry manœuvring. Ah! I was not mistaken. It is, indeed, a squadron of horsemen. Look—look there!” The doctor eyed the group with great attention, and, after a moment’s pause, remarked: “I believe that you are right. It is a detachment of Arabs or Tibbous, and they are galloping in the same direction with us, as though in flight, but we are going faster than they, and we are rapidly gaining on them. In half an hour we shall be near enough to see them and know what they are.” Kennedy had again lifted his glass and was attentively scrutinizing them. Meanwhile the crowd of horsemen was becoming more distinctly visible, and a few were seen to detach themselves from the main body. “It is some hunting manœuvre, evidently,” said Kennedy. “Those fellows seem to be in pursuit of something. I would like to know what they are about.” “Patience, Dick! In a little while we shall overtake them, if they continue on the same route. We are going at the rate of twenty miles per hour, and no horse can keep up with that.” Kennedy again raised his glass, and a few minutes later he exclaimed: “They are Arabs, galloping at the top of their speed; I can make them out distinctly. They are about fifty in number. I can see their _bournouses_ puffed out by the wind. It is some cavalry exercise that they are going through. Their chief is a hundred paces ahead of them and they are rushing after him at headlong speed.” “Whoever they may be, Dick, they are not to be feared, and then, if necessary, we can go higher.” “Wait, doctor—wait a little!” “It’s curious,” said Kennedy again, after a brief pause, “but there’s something going on that I can’t exactly explain. By the efforts they make, and the irregularity of their line, I should fancy that those Arabs are pursuing some one, instead of following.” “Are you certain of that, Dick?” “Oh! yes, it’s clear enough now. I am right! It is a pursuit—a hunt—but a man-hunt! That is not their chief riding ahead of them, but a fugitive.” “A fugitive!” exclaimed the doctor, growing more and more interested. “Yes!” “Don’t lose sight of him, and let us wait!” Three or four miles more were quickly gained upon these horsemen, who nevertheless were dashing onward with incredible speed. “Doctor! doctor!” shouted Kennedy in an agitated voice. “What is the matter, Dick?” “Is it an illusion? Can it be possible?” “What do you mean?” “Wait!” and so saying, the Scot wiped the sights of his spy-glass carefully, and looked through it again intently. “Well?” questioned the doctor. “It is he, doctor!” “He!” exclaimed Ferguson with emotion. “It is he! no other!” and it was needless to pronounce the name. “Yes! it is he! on horseback, and only a hundred paces in advance of his enemies! He is pursued!” “It is Joe—Joe himself!” cried the doctor, turning pale.