ub them well.

Soon after Yussuf came to his side, and stood looking along the gorge
towards where the cliff-dwellings clustered on high; but it was too dark
to see them now.

"It is time the effendi was back," he said. "He will not be long now.
You will keep watch while I go and speak with his excellency, Burne."

"Yes, I am well awake again, now," said Lawrence, starting up. "I wish
I did not grow so sleepy."

"Why?" said Yussuf gently, as he laid his hand upon the boy's arm. "I
love to see you sleep, and sleep well. It is a good sign. It means
that you are growing strong and well, and will some day be a stout and
active man."

"Do you think so?" said Lawrence dreamily.

"I feel sure so," replied the Turk gravely. "I am not educated like you
Franks from the west, but I have lived to middle age, and noticed many
things. You are growing better and stronger. I will go now and come
back soon. The effendi will be here then, and we two will watch, and
you shall sleep."

He strode away into the gathering darkness, passing the spring, turning
round by the right, and making for the spot where the sentry were
posted. Here Mr Burne showed no inclination to go back to the little
camp, but stood talking to him in his dry manner, for mutual dislike was
gradually changing into a certain amount of friendliness.

Meanwhile the horses went on biting off great mouthfuls of the rich
clover that grew near the stream, and munched and munched up the juicy
herbage as Lawrence listened and watched the pathway to see if he could
catch sight of Mr Preston returning with his gun.

It grew darker and darker still, but the professor did not come, and
Lawrence began to grow drowsy again.

He fought against it, but the desire to sleep overcame him more and
more. His head sank lower, and in an instant he was dreaming that he
heard that rustling sound again of some wild animal approaching the
group of rocks where he was stationed.

Wolf--hyena--some fierce creature that was coming steadily on nearer and
nearer, till before long it would spring upon him, and in the
nightmare-like sensation he felt as if he were struggling to get away,
while it fascinated him and held him to his place.

One--two--three--four--there were several such creatures drawing nearer
and nearer, and he could not cry for help, only stay motionless there in
his horrible dread.

Nearer--nearer--nearer, till he fancied he could see them in the
darkness gat