After
remaining a few minutes in the chamber of the tower, the Prince of
Athens stole out, taking care to secure the door upon Kaflis, he
descended the staircase, and escaped through the Serail without meeting
any one, and had nearly reached the gate of the gardens, when he was
challenged by some of the eunuch guard at a little distance.
"Hilloa!" exclaimed one; "I thought you passed just now?"
"So I did," replied Nicaeus, with nervous effrontery; "but I came back
for my bag, which I left behind," and, giving them no time to reflect,
he pushed his way through the gate with all the impudence of a page.
He rushed through the burial-ground, hurried through the streets,
mounted his horse, and galloped through the gates. Iskander and Iduna
were in sight, he waved his hand for them at once to proceed, and in a
moment, without exchanging a word, they were all galloping at full
speed, nor did they breathe their horses until sunset.
By nightfall they had reached a small wood of chestnut-trees, where
they rested for two hours, more for the sake of their steeds than their
own refreshment, for anxiety prevented Iduna from indulging in any
repose, as much as excitement prevented her from feeling any fatigue.
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