!" Jim Tucker said. "But that is an out-of-the-way part,
Jack, and there may be some of those skulking thieves hanging about
there."

"They won't catch us napping this time, Jim."

The boys had, in fact, armed themselves from the store of weapons that
had been taken from the natives or found scattered about in the streets
and houses. These weapons had been piled up in a shed, and as they had
no owners the boys concluded that it would be as well to pick some out
for themselves, having previously asked their officer to allow them to
do so, as they were entirely without arms. He at once gave them
permission to take what they liked, and each had taken two revolvers--a
full-sized one which they wore openly in their belts, and a small one in
their jacket-pockets. The precaution was by no means a useless one, as
on carrying messages for their commander from one part of the town to
the other they had often to pass through narrow streets. So armed the
boys had no fear of being attacked when together, and after breakfast
they started on their trip of exploration.

As they knew nothing of the road by which they had been taken to the
house, and had again left it after nightfall, they were by no means sure
as to its exact position, the only indication being the view they had
obtained of the sea from its garden. When once beyond the town they
found almost all the houses entirely deserted; for bands of plunderers
were still pillaging everywhere beyond the range of the parties of
British troops, and even after Ramleh was occupied they made their way
along the shore from the direction of the Aboukir Forts, and broke into
the houses and carried away their contents.

"I think this must be just about the position," Jim said at last. "I
should say from the other side of that house there must be just the same
view we had."

The gate was locked and closed, but the boys soon found a place where
they could enter the grounds. Upon going round to the north side of the
house they found that they had judged correctly, for they at once
recognized the appearance of the building and the various objects in the
garden.

"Here is the bank from which we watched the bombardment," Arthur Hill
said. "Well, we have got better out of it than seemed likely then."

"That we have," Jack agreed. "Now, Jim, I suppose we may as well get
into the house and have a look at it. I should like to get something to
carry away. I don't want anything valuable, but som