harge had been made he had
slipped sidewise, being unable to keep his seat, and gone down beneath
his horse, with the result that the docile, well-trained animal stopped
at once, and then its comrades had halted and cantered back.

"Is he much hurt, Preston?" said Mr Burne eagerly, as the professor
supported the poor fellow, while Yussuf drew out his dagger and cut the
rope.

"I cannot say yet. Keep your eyes on the mouth of the gorge, and fire
at once if the scoundrels show again."

"They will not show again, effendi," said Yussuf. "They are too much
scared. That's better. The horses will stand. They know us now. Take
hold of your bridle, Mr Lawrence, and the others will be sure to stay."

Lawrence obeyed, and rested his piece on the horse's back, standing
beside him and watching the mouth of the defile, while the others
carried the injured man to the side and laid him down, the professor
taking out his flask which was filled with spirit.

"Yes," said Yussuf, acquiescing. "It is not a drink for a true
believer, but it is a wonderful medicine, effendi."

So it proved, for soon after a little had been poured down Hamed's
throat the poor fellow opened his eyes and smiled.

"It is your excellencies!" he said in his native tongue; and upon Yussuf
questioning him, he told them faintly that he was not much hurt, only a
little stunned. That he was seated by the fount, with his horses
grazing, when the band of armed men rode up, and one of them struck him
over the head with the barrel of his musket, and when he recovered
somewhat he found himself a prisoner, with his legs tied as he was
found, and the horses led and driven down a narrow defile, out of which
they had made their way into a forest of shady trees. Later on they had
made a halt for a couple of hours, and then continued their journey,
which was brought to an end, as far as he was concerned, by his falling
beneath his horse.

"What is to be done now?" said the professor.

"Eat," exclaimed Mr Burne, "even if we have to fight directly after
dinner."

"The effendi is right," said Yussuf smiling. "If we go on, we may fall
into a trap. If we go back a little way here till we find a suitable
spot, the enemy will not dare to come and attack us in the dark. Can
you walk, Hamed?"

The poor fellow tried to rise, but his ankles were perfectly numbed, and
there was nothing for it but to help him up on one of the horses, and go
back farther into the gloom