ore he could finish his speech,
another scheme had been conceived by Terence, who had already taken
steps towards its execution.

It was this that had interrupted Harry Blount in the utterance of his
counsel.

At school the young Milesian had been distinguished in the exercise of
vaulting. Leap-frog had been his especial delight; and no mountebank
could bound to a greater height than he. At this crisis he remembered
his old accomplishment, and called it to his aid.

Seeking an opportunity, when the head of the maherry was turned towards
his comrades, and its tail to himself he made an energetic rush; sprang
half a score of feet from the ground; and flinging apart his feet, while
in the air, came down, stride legs upon the croup of the camel.

It was fortunate for the old Arab that the effort thus made by the
amateur _saltimbanque_ had shaken the dirk from his grasp, else, in
another instant, the camel would have ceased to "carry double."

As it was, its two riders continued upon its back; but in such close
juxtaposition, that it would have required sharp eyes and a good light
to tell that more than one individual was mounted upon it.

Fast enfolded in the arms of the vigorous young Hibernian, could scarce
be distinguished the carcase of the old Arab sheik, shrunken to half
size by the powerful compression; while the scimitar, so late whistling
with perilous impetuosity through the air, was now seen 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 THIRTY FOUR.

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 uncamel, 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 she