fendi, where my hand can touch it ere you blink an
eye. So you see that we are not quite without arms. But listen," he
continued; "this may be all a fancy of mine."

"Then you will do nothing?" exclaimed Mr Burne.

"Oh no, I do not say that, effendi. We must be watchful. Two must
sleep, and two must watch night or day. The enemy must not come to the
gate and find it open ready for him to enter in."

"Those are the words of wisdom," said the professor gravely, and
Yussuf's eyes brightened and he bowed.

"This watchfulness," he said, "may keep the enemy away if there be one.
If there be none: well, we have taught ourselves a lesson that will not
be thrown away."

"Why, Yussuf, I am beginning to think you are a treasure!" exclaimed Mr
Burne.

Yussuf bowed, but he did not look pleased, for he had not warmed towards
the old lawyer in the slightest degree. He had been met with distrust,
and he was reserved towards him who showed his doubt so openly.

"I thought it was but just, effendis, to warn you, and I thought it
better to say so now, while the young effendi is asleep, for fear he
might be alarmed."

"I am not asleep," said Lawrence turning his head. "I have not been to
sleep."

"Then you have heard all that was said," exclaimed the professor.

"Every word, Mr Preston. I could not help hearing," said Lawrence,
sitting up with his face flushed and eyes brightened. "I did not know
till just now that I was not expected to hear."

"Humph, and do you feel alarmed?" said the old lawyer.

"I don't think I do, sir," replied the lad calmly. "Perhaps I should
if--if there should be a fight."

"I do not think there will be," said the professor quietly. "Yussuf
here has warned us, and forewarned is forearmed."

"Even if we have no pistols, eh?" said Mr Burne laughing, but rather
acidly. "Humph, here comes the skipper."

The Greek came aft smiling and unlashed the tiller, altering their
course a little, so that as the evening breeze freshened they seemed
literally to skim along the surface of the sea.

CHAPTER TEN.

A NIGHT OF HORRORS.

The night came, with the stars seeming to blaze in the clear atmosphere.
The skipper had given up the helm to one of his men, and joined the
others forward to lie down among the baskets and sleep, as it seemed,
while aft, at the professor's request, Mr Burne and Lawrence lay down
to sleep, leaving the others to watch.

The night grew darker, and the water beat a