the desperate attempt.

As fast as the gaps were made in the ranks of the enemy, they were
filled up by fresh men.

The horses trampled upon the weary limbs of the wounded.

Into this wild _melee_ Jack plunged, closely followed by his friend
Harry.

Our hero struck down a gigantic Turk, fired a revolver into the face of
another, and gave a cut right and left with his sword.

Taking advantage of the passage thus made, the other Englishmen rapidly
followed their leader.

Thyra was led by the waiter and the diver, while Mole and Figgins
mutually assisted each other.

It was amid shots falling like hail in every direction, and menaced by
killing blows from heavy sabres that the retreat was made.

Thyra performed another act of heroism at this juncture.

A Turkish sergeant, on foot, fired straight at her as she passed.

By the width of scarce an inch, the bullet missed piercing her brain,
but she answered it by a shot which sought and found the heart of the
Turk, and he fell dead instantaneously.

In this way all the Englishmen got through the ranks of the foe and
joined the chief.

The rest of the Arabs followed, but they had a hard task to do so, for
the enemy now overwhelmingly outnumbered their reduced force.

But our friends were not to escape even thus easily.

The Turks made fresh and vigorous efforts, not only to prevent their
retreat, but to effect their capture.

Seeing the peril they were in, Jack called to Thyra and said--

"My good girl, you have acted with heroic bravery, but our danger is
now greater than ever, and you must quit this scene."

"Never, dear Jack, whilst you are imperilled," she firmly replied.

"But you can aid me more that way than by staying," he said. "Listen,
yonder is the sea, not more than two miles off. There is an English
ship in the bay; its gallant sailors will not fail to assist their
countrymen in distress. Go to them at once, your steed is swiftest of
all. Ride, ride for your life, dear girl."

Thyra needed no further urging.

"I will bring assistance to you," she cried, "or perish in the
attempt."

She turned her steed, and was off in a minute at lightning speed.

On came the Turks, now headed by Abdullah, for his comrade, the captain
of the guard, had been desperately wounded.

"We must capture them!" he cried to his men. "Forward, men; death or
victory."

Jack and his men saw that resistance was useless against so
overwhelming a force.

Flight was