en lying upon the
sand,--its gleam no longer striking terror into the hearts of those
whose heads it had been threatening to lop off!

CHAPTER XXXV.

HOLDING ON TO THE HUMP.

The struggle between Terence and the sheik still continued, upon the
back of the maherry. The object of the young Irishman was to unhorse, or
rather _un-camel_, his antagonist, and get him to the ground.

This design the old Arab resisted toughly, and with all his strength,
knowing that dismounted he would be no match for the trio of stout lads
whom he had calculated on capturing at his ease. Once _a pied_ he would
be at their mercy, since he was now altogether unarmed. His gun had been
unloaded; and the shining scimitar, of which he had made such a
dangerous display, was no longer in his grasp. As already stated it had
fallen to the ground, and at that precious moment was being picked up by
Colin; who in all probability would have used it upon its owner, had not
the latter contrived to escape beyond its reach.

The mode of the sheik's escape was singular enough. Still tenaciously
holding on to the hump, from which the young Irishman was using every
effort to detach him, he saw that his only chance of safety lay in
retreating from the spot, and, by this means, separating the antagonist
who clutched him from the two others that threatened upon the ground
below.

A signal shout to the maherry was sufficient to effect his purpose. On
hearing it, the well-trained quadruped wheeled, as upon a pivot, and in
a shambling, but quick pace, started back towards the ravine, whence it
had late issued.

To their consternation Colin and Harry beheld this unexpected movement;
and before either of them could lay hold of the halter,--now trailing
along the sand,--the maherry was going at a rate of speed which they
vainly endeavored to surpass. They could only follow in its wake,--as
they did so, shouting to Terence to let go his hold of the sheik, and
take his chance of a tumble to the ground.

Their admonitions appeared not to be heeded. They were not needed,--at
least after a short interval had elapsed.

At first the young Irishman had been so intent on his endeavors to
dismount his adversary, that he did not notice the signal given to the
maherry, nor the retrograde movement it had inaugurated. Not until the
camel was re-entering the ravine, and the steep sides of the sand dunes
cast their dark shadows before him, did he observe that he was bei