Turks--outside, big guns and swords, massa,"
said Tinker.

"Wants to come in here, too," added Bogey. "Hark! Oh, ain't they giving
what for at the door? They're at it again, a-hammerin' away."

And the thundering knocking was repeated louder than before, and a
stern voice demanding Thyra, the slave.

"Just as I feared," cried Jack; "they've found out where Thyra is, and
have come to drag her back."

"Oh, powers of Heaven, protect us all!" she exclaimed, nervously
clutching Jack's arm. "Am I unfortunate enough, dear Jack, to have
brought you into this great peril? I entreat you to save yourselves by
surrendering me; only do me one favour; let one of your number shoot me
dead as soon as I am in the enemy's hands."

"Impossible, dear Thyra!" said Jack. "Do you think, as a Boy of
England, it is possible for me to act in that cowardly way? No; we must
make a gallant resistance. Surely we are well prepared; here are arms
enough for all. Where's the Irish diver?"

"Here, your honour, ready for any row that's goin'."

"Mr. Mole, you can handle a gun," said Jack; "here is one that will
just suit you."

The waiter and the orphan were also accommodated with weapons, but the
orphan thought he would rather load the guns than fire them off.

"Quick! get all the movables, and place them against the gate," said
Jack. "With its own strength, its bolts, and bars, and keys, and a
barricade behind it, we can defy this band of Turks, or the sultan
himself."

All gave a cheer at these defiant words, and proceeded with their
impromptu fortification with great vigour.

"I'll go up on the roof and reconnoitre," said Harry.

And dangerous as was this duty, he proceeded to it with great alacrity.

In a few moments he came down, with much consternation on his face.

"This is a bad job, Jack," he said; "worse than I thought."

"How?" asked our hero.

"We are accused of murdering the pasha, as well as carrying off the
young Greek girl. There are over a hundred of the pasha's troops on
guard outside, with that scoundrel Abdullah at the head of them, and
thousands of wild Moslem fanatics, thirsting for our blood."

"I will go and see for myself," cried young Jack.

"For Heaven's sake, don't," said Harry, restraining him; "it will be
certain death, for you, as our leader, are the particular object of
their animosity."

Thyra's entreaties were even more pressing.

She threw her arms round Jack's neck, and earnestly entreated him