ived within a short distance, the two armies halted and surveyed
each other.

Then a trumpet sounded to parley, and a messenger rode forward to
communicate with the Arab chief.

"To the Emir Kara-al Zariel," said the soldier, "thus saith the great
Lord Ibrahim, pasha of Alla-hissar. Whereas, though thou hast been
often a rebel against his highness's lawful authority, yet will he
pardon thee all past misdeeds on condition that thou shalt give up the
Frankish men and the Greek woman, who are accused of the secret murder
of his late highness, Moley Pasha. Refuse this, and no mercy will be
shown to thee or to thy tribe.

"Tell thy ruler or his officers," thus replied Kara-al Zariel, "that I
refuse his proffered pardon; that Ibrahim is an assassin and usurper I
despise and defy; that I will never deliver up to his hands those who
have sought my hospitality, and that I and my tribe, and my guests,
will resist him and his, to the death."

This rebuff was sufficiently conclusive.

There was nothing now but to commence the fight.

Shots came forth from the midst of the mass of Turkish horsemen, and
were promptly answered from the muskets of the Arabs.

The battle cry of the Bedouins rang out clear in the morning air.

The first rays of the sun now lit up the plain, piercing the clouds of
mist and desert-dust, and gleaming upon the rapidly-moving blades and
barrels.

Now shone out the white _naiks_ of the Arabs and the red caps of the
Turks.

The Ottoman cavalry pressed with terrible force upon the Bedouins,
whose old-fashioned long guns were inadequate to compete with the
modern European rifles of their foe.

But on each side, the bullets tore through the ranks and laid low many
a gallant warrior.

The fray soon became a fierce and close one.

A fight, hand to hand, muzzle to muzzle, and sword to sword.

One slight advantage was on the side of the Arabs.

They and their horses were quite fresh, while the Turks and their
chargers were wearied with a long and difficult march.

Our friends did not forget they were Englishmen, and upheld the honour
of their country in the personal bravery they showed upon this
occasion.

Jack Harkaway and Harry Girdwood hewed their way right and left among
the Turkish horsemen.

They were like mowers among the corn, their sickles sharp, and their
harvest heavy.

Soon shone the morning sun brightly upon this scene of strife.

The Turks, from their numbers, could relieve the