his maherry, had
ridden out of the ravine, and was now advancing with all speed upon the
tracks of the retreating mids.

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE.

A QUEER ENCOUNTER.

In about threescore seconds from the time he was first seen pursuing
them, the old sheik was up to the spot where our adventurers had awaited
him.

His first salute appeared to be some words of menace or command,
rendered more emphatic by a series of gestures made with his long gun;
which was successively pointed at the heads of the three. Of course,
none of them understood what was said; but his gesticulations made it
clear enough that he required their company to the Arab encampment.

Their first impulse was to yield obedience to this command; and Terence
had given a sign of assent, which was acquiesced in by Colin. Not so
Master Blount, in whom the British bulldog had become aroused even to
the showing of his teeth.

"See him hanged first!" cried Harry. "What! yield up to an old monkey
like that, and walk tamely to the camp at the tail of his camel? No
such thing! If I am to become a prisoner, it will be to one who can
take me."

Terence, rather ashamed at having shown such facile submission, now
rushed to the opposite extreme; and drawing his dirk, cried out, "By
Saint Petrick! I'm with you, Harry! Let's die, rather than yield
ourselves prisoners to such a queer old curmudgeon!"

Colin, before declaring himself, glanced sharply around, carrying his
eye towards the _embouchure_ of the ravine, to assure himself that the
Arab was alone.

As there was nobody else in sight, and no sound heard that would
indicate the proximity of any one, it was probable enough that the rider
of the maherry was the only enemy opposed to them.

"The deil take him!" cried Colin, after making his cautious
reconnaissance. "If he take us, he must first fight for it. Come on,
old skinflint! you'll find we're true British tars, ready for a score
such as you!"

The three youths had by this time unsheathed their shining daggers, and
thrown themselves into a sort of triangle, the maherry in their midst.

The old sheik, unprepared for such a reception, was altogether taken
aback by it; and for some seconds sate upon his high perch seemingly
irresolute how to act.

Suddenly his rage appeared to rise to such a pitch that he could no
longer command his actions; and bringing the long gun to his shoulder,
he levelled it at Harry Blount, who had been foremost in b