"_La Illah il Allah_!" he blazed forth. "I will promise this much. They shall groan beneath heavy loads, and shall eat stick in plenty. But first, six of them shall hang by the heels till they are dead, with their eyes scooped out, and a live coal inserted in each socket. Further I promise--that this last shall be the fate of every one in your camp who shall fall into our hands alive, if you hesitate further to send back my slaves. On the holy _Kaba_ I swear it. Now, make your choice. Will you return them, or will you not?" Haviland looked at Ahern, who nodded his head. "That settles it," he said in a cold, decisive tone, turning again to the slaver chief. "Big words, big threats do not frighten us. We send not back to you these people who have sought our protection, to be put to your devilish tortures." For a moment, the two parties stood staring at each other in silence. Then Mushad and his followers withdrew, feeing the others for a little distance, after which they turned, and stalked back to their awaiting forces, the green banner with its sinister symbol seeming to wave defiance and menace as it receded. CHAPTER TWENTY ONE. BATTLE. On regaining the shelter Haviland at once made it known to his followers that they had got to fight, and fight hard. They were already in position; that had been arranged during the parley. "Can you trust these Arabs of yours, Haviland?" asked Oakley in a low tone. "Will they fight against their own countrymen?" "Trust them? Rather. Besides, these are not their own countrymen. Another tribe altogether. And they are always fighting among themselves. They enjoy it." Kumbelwa, who had been placed in command of the armed bearers, was squatted on the ground, his snuff horn and spoon in his hand, and was taking copious quantities of snuff in the most unperturbed manner. There was no excitement about him now. That was to come. "They know our strength, or rather our weakness," said Haviland. "They can judge to a man by our tracks how many real fighters we have got. Somala says they will try rushing us." Hardly had the words left his mouth when the rattle of a sudden volley, and a line of smoke from the enemy's front solved all doubts as to the intentions of the latter. Bullets came singing through the trees, and a shower of twigs fell about their ears in all directions. One, which had fallen just short, ricochetted and struck one of the armed bearers, killing him instantly. But the defenders reserved their fire.