It was the chief who spoke. Max could not stand such a speech, and he rushed at the strong Arab chief, aiming a blow which, had it struck the man on the temple, might have knocked him low, for Max was an expert boxer. The blow only struck the empty air, and Max was caught round the legs and thrown to the ground. A cord was quickly fastened round his ankles, and he was rendered powerless. “What have you gained?” asked the chief, with a sneer. “A knowledge of your cowardice,” answered Max, defiantly. “Frightened of a boy less than half your age. Oh! you are a brave chief, are you not?” “Cease, you young fool, or I will gag you!” “For my sake, hush!” whispered Mr. Gordon. “Go on, tell us what you want,” Max said, bitterly. “Monsieur Gordon, your wealth is well known. Send that young fool there”--pointing to Max--“with one of my men for twenty thousand piasters, and when he returns with it, both shall go free.” Twenty thousand piasters is equal to about one thousand dollars. “And if I refuse?” asked Mr. Gordon, nervously. “He shall lose his tongue; it has already wagged too much,” answered the chief, pointing with his dagger at Max. “But he cannot get the money.” “Can’t he? Well, I can; and if you don’t send for it you shall die.” Merchant Gordon knew not what to do. He knew well enough that Egypt was overrun with bandits such as these, and that the authorities made but a poor pretense of suppressing the lawless bands. He tried to temporize, but the chief was cautious. He knew he had wandered nearer to Cairo than was safe. One of the men spoke in a low tone to the Arab, and instantly all was in commotion. The two Americans were bound quickly and raised to the back of donkeys. The whole gang of robbers mounted and hurried away from the vicinity of the city at a speed that Max could not believe a donkey was capable of maintaining. But the wild tribes of the Nile have long possessed the secret of making the native donkey forget its natural laziness and go with the speed of a well-trained mule. “Where are we going?” asked Max. He was answered by a slap across the face, which nearly capsized him. “Another word and the body of the American shall be but carrion.” “Don’t speak, Max,” entreated Mr. Gordon, who was trembling with fear. The chief led the way across a sandy desert. The moon shone brightly, and its rays made the drifting sand look like so much dazzling silver. It was a scene of weird grandeur. In the distance rose the pyramids, those monuments of a past civilization, which are alike the envy and the wonder of the world. The procession seemed to be winding round the city at an increasing distance, and nearing the pyramids. Max forgot all fear and was oblivious to any danger. The scene was to him one of rare beauty, and he enjoyed it. If he could but have talked to the chief--if he could have been free, his happiness would have been complete. But he was a prisoner, mistrusted and abused.