implore, but Yussuf was rigid.

"Go on back," he said forcing himself round the foremost horse, closely
followed by the professor, though there was hardly room for their steeds
to pass, and there was a fall of several hundred feet below, while,
pressed like this, Hamed began to whimper; but he obeyed, and led the
horses past Lawrence and Mr Burne, who now went forward, eager and
excited to know what was wrong, and upon joining their companions it was
to find themselves face to face with a gang of about twenty
fierce-looking men, all mounted, and who were seated with their guns
presented toward the travellers' heads.

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE.

BROUGHT TO BAY.

The strangers were some fifty yards away, and thoroughly blocked all
further progress. What they were was not open to doubt; but, though
they sat there presenting their guns, they did not attempt to fire, nor
yet to advance, contenting themselves by barring the travellers' way.

"Do you think they are enemies, Yussuf?" said Mr Preston calmly.

"There is no doubt of it, effendi," was the reply.

"But had we not better ride boldly forward? They will not dare to stop
us. Besides, if they do, we are well-armed."

"They are twenty and we are only two, effendi, for we cannot depend upon
three of our party. It would be no use to attack. We must retreat
steadily, and get back to the village; they will not dare to follow us
so far."

"What do you propose doing, then?"

"For one of us to remain here facing them, till the others have got
fifty yards back. Then one is to turn and face the scoundrels till I
have ridden in, and on with the others another fifty yards or so, when I
face round, and the one on duty rides in, and so on by turns. If we
keep a bold front we may hold them off."

"A good plan," said the professor; "but would it not be better for two
to face them, and two to go forward--I mean, to retreat?"

"No, effendi; there is not too much room for the horses. Do as I ask."

Mr Preston obeyed on the instant, and with Hamed in front the retreat
was commenced, all retiring and leaving Yussuf on the projecting corner,
weapon in hand, and a sword hanging from his wrist by the knot.

Then, at about fifty yards, Mr Preston halted and faced round, with gun
presented, and as the others still rode on, Yussuf left his post and
joined the professor, passing him and riding on another fifty yards
behind, where he faced round in turn.

As the professor mad