out at the other so cleanly that the man whom it hits
does not know that he is hit until he is dead, and he frequently manages
to do a lot of damage before he dies. So I invented a little dodge
which I call the `man-stopper'. It consists in simply `rymering' a hole
in the nose of the bullet, with a file tang or anything else that comes
handy; then, when the bullet strikes, the edges of the hole expand and
become `mushroomed', and the man who is hit knows all about it, I assure
you. Of course that sort of thing is not permitted in civilised
warfare, but when fighting savages the trick is used quite frequently.
Indeed, this is the only kind of missile that will effectually stop a
rushing savage. I would advise you to treat your bullets in the same
way as soon as you have time. But these dogs' masters may appear in
sight at any moment; and if they do, before we leave this spot, and
happen to be mounted--as I feel sure they are--they will catch us easily
before we can possibly reach shelter, yonder. And we're scarcely
prepared to fight a crowd."

"You're right, skipper," agreed Frobisher; "let's get along as fast as
we can." And the two men, thrusting their revolvers into their pockets,
set off at top speed toward the ruined city, not a little refreshed by
their brief halt while fighting the dogs.

"I wonder," Drake jerked out as they ran, "how the pirates managed to
set those dogs after us? They hadn't any garments of yours, had they?
And I'm sure they had none of mine by which they could lay them on the
scent."

"They had my boots, confound them!" returned Frobisher, "as I am
beginning to realise to my cost. These wrappings are about worn
through, and my feet are almost as sore as though they had been
skinned."

"By Jove, yes! I had forgotten them," said the little skipper.

The two men pounded along over the sand in silence once more, the walls
and buildings of the ruined town standing out more and more clearly
every moment. Only another half-mile or so, and they would be safely
hidden from view among the maze-like streets of the place. But could
they do it in time? Would their pursuers sight them before they could
get under cover? These were the questions which haunted them both.

"See," Drake presently panted, pointing in front of him, "we are pretty
nearly there now. That opening in the walls is the site of one of the
city gates; and once inside that, we are safe."

Frobisher took a hasty glance