ight was a scene of loveliness such as he could not have imagined
possible there.

"Shows the value of the sun, Lawrence," said the professor laughing;
"and what a fine thing it would be if some of our clever
experimentalists could contrive to bottle and condense enough sunshine
to last us all through the winters."

Just then Yussuf came up through the dewy grasses and flowers with
Lawrence's gun over his shoulder.

"Well," said the professor, "what next--a good breakfast, and then
start?"

"Yes, effendi," said the Turk, "but the other way."

"Other way?"

"Yes, effendi; the band of rascals are lying in ambush for us about a
mile distant."

"Are you sure?"

Yussuf smiled.

"I went out at the mouth of the ravine to observe," he said; "and I
could see nothing till, all at once, I saw a flash of light."

"Well?"

"Such a flash could only be reflected from a sword or gun."

"From water--a piece of glass--or crystal."

"No, excellency. There is no water up on the mountain slope. Pieces of
glass are not seen there, and a crystal must be cut and polished to send
forth such rays. The enemy are waiting for us in a depression, out
there beyond the mouth of the plain, and we must go back the other way."

"Of course. It will be safer. But after a time they will follow us."

"I think I can stop that, effendi," said their guide smiling; and while
the horses were being loaded, and everything was being got ready for a
start, Yussuf took out his knife, and selecting from among the bushes a
good straight stick, he cut and trimmed it carefully till it was about
the length of a gun.

This done, he climbed up the ridge that screened them from the mouth of
the gorge, and, selecting a spot from whence a good view of the sloping
plain beyond could be obtained, he walked up and down for a few minutes.

After this he beckoned to the professor and the others to join him; and
as soon as they were there he drew their attention to a clump of bushes,
as they seemed, but which must have been trees, a couple of miles away,
though in that wondrously clear mountain air the distance did not seem
to be a quarter.

Mr Burne was nearest to the guide, in his straw hat, which he had
retained in safety so far through having it secured by a lanyard, but it
was growing very shabby, and was much out of shape from its soaking in
the sea.

The professor noticed that Yussuf--who was conspicuous in his red fez
skull-cap, about which was