nt.

Here it is verbatim.

"MY DEAR BOY JACK,--The prolonged silence you have kept has
rendered your absence a matter of serious moment to us all here,
and to me more than all; I can bear it no longer. I intend to come
in search of you and see for myself what keeps your tongue tied.
Ah, I mean to rout you out and give a sharp eye to your
shortcomings. Expect me then soon, for I hope to run athwart you,
yardarm and yardarm, as an old salt we once knew used to say.

"Believe me, my dear Jack,

"Ever sincerely yours,

"ISAAC MOLE.

"P.S.--I am told that the native liquors where you are staying are
more cheering than inebriating in their effects. This will suit me
capitally; but as you and your companions may find sherbet rather
thin diet, I shall bring with me a bottle or two of something with
a more decided flavour."

"I tell you what," said Jack to his comrade Harry, "we shall have to
look out for poor old Mole. We must send word back by special courier,
that he may know what direction we have taken."

Messages were sent by sure hands to the different stations which they
had made upon their journey, to guide Mr. Mole to the place Jack and
Harry were stopping at.

"Meanwhile my only recommendation is, young gentlemen, that you don't
get yourselves embroiled in any way with the native folks here any
more. The Mussulmen are fierce and fanatical, and the least provocation
may make them burst out into wildness."

The speaker was Captain Deering, and the occasion of it was the eve of
another projected trip by Jack Harkaway and Harry Girdwood.

"We shall be careful, captain," said the latter.

"Of course," said Deering, with a merry twinkling in his eye; "you
always are."

"Always."

"There's not much to fear, captain," said Jack, lightly.

"Oh, yes, there is," responded Deering, quickly, "very much."

"How?"

"Why, very little will provoke a Mussulman when he has to deal with a
Christian."

"But no one would be indelicate enough to show a want of respect to
their religious scruples," answered Harry.

"I don't see how we can interfere with them at all," said Jack. "Why
should the question of religion be raised?"

"Not by you," returned Captain Deering, "but by them, for they will at
any time unite to fall upon an unlucky Christian if opposed to a
Mussulman in a dispute, should the Turk choose to invoke their aid
against the unbelievers, as t