that is of an attempt being
made to rescue us."

"I don't see anything to be afraid of there," said Lawrence laughing.

"But I do," said the Turk seriously. "If an attack were made, those
people would become fierce like dogs or rats at bay, and then they might
take our lives."

"They would not without, then?"

"No," said Yussuf; "they would threaten, and hold out for a heavy
ransom, but if the friends that have been written to are clever, they
will make the ransom small, and we shall be freed. But it may take a
long time, for the brigands will hold out as long as they think there is
a chance of getting a large sum. They are safe here; they have abundant
stores, and nothing to do: they can afford to wait."

"Well, I'm sure Mr Preston is in no hurry," said Lawrence; "nobody is
but the Chumleys."

"And I," said Yussuf smiling.

"You? why, I thought you were happy enough. You haven't said a word
lately about escaping."

"No," replied Yussuf smiling; "but sometimes those who are so quiet do a
great deal. I am afraid of the winter coming with its snow and shutting
us in for months when we could not escape, for, even if the snow would
let us pass, we should perish in the cold. I have been hard at work."

"You have, Yussuf? What have you been doing? Oh, I know; making
plans."

"And ropes," said Yussuf gravely.

"Ropes? I have seen you make no ropes."

"No, because you were asleep. Wait a moment."

He rose quietly and walked to the entrance, drawing the rug that hung
there aside and peering out, to come back as softly as he left his seat,
and glancing at where the professor, wearied out with a hard day's work,
was, like his companions by the fire, fast asleep.

"The guards are smoking out there, and are safe," said Yussuf. "See
here, Lawrence effendi, but do not say a word to a soul."

"I shall not speak," said Lawrence.

Yussuf gave another glance at the Chumleys, and then stepped to a corner
of the great hall-like place which formed their prison, drew aside a rug
on the floor, lifted a slab of stone, and pointed to a coil of worsted
rope as thick as a good walking-stick, and evidently of great length.

It was only a few moments' glance, and then the stone was lowered, the
dust swept over it, and the rug drawn across again.

"You see I am getting ready," said Yussuf.

"But what are we going to do?"

"I have been watching and waiting," whispered the guide, "and I have
found a place where we c