"
"I do not blame you," Surajah replied. "It is necessary that you
should always be vigilant;" and they retired under the shade of a
tree, a hundred and fifty yards from the gate.
Ibrahim spread out the rugs, and then proceeded to light the fire, and
to prepare a pillau of rice and fowl, while Dick and his companion
regarded the rock with fixed attention, and conversed together as to
the possibility of ascending at any of the points so steep as to be
left undefended by walls. They concluded, at last, that it would be
next to impossible to climb the rock anywhere on the side that faced
them, save by scaling several walls.
They had just finished their luncheon when the gate opened, and an
officer and four soldiers issued out. They at once rose, and went to
meet them.
"I have the governor's order to admit you, on the production of the
sultan's pass."
Surajah produced the document. The officer at once recognised the
seal, and carried it to his forehead, salaaming deeply.
"Your troopers can enter at the gate, but cannot proceed farther than
the second wall."
"Can we ride up, or must we walk?" Dick asked.
"You can ride," he replied. "The road is steep, but nowhere so steep
that horses cannot mount it.
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