edge. These were evidently to assist the
boy in fighting the Turks, and he was well pleased to have them. His
spirits rose considerably when he found he had fallen among friends,
although most of his new comrades had such evil faces that it was
unnecessary to put on the Character Markers to judge their natures with
a fair degree of accuracy.

"I can't be very particular about the company I keep," he thought, "and
this gang hasn't tried to murder me, as the rascally Turks did. So for
the present I'll stand in with the scowling chief and try to get a shot
at the thieves who robbed me. If our side wins I may get a chance to
recover some of my property. It's a slim chance, of course, but it's
the only hope I have left."

That very evening an opportunity occurred for Rob to win glory in the
eyes of his new friends. Just before sundown the gates of the city
flew open and a swarm of Turks, mounted upon fleet horses and camels,
issued forth and fell upon their enemies. The Tatars, who did not
expect the sally, were scarcely able to form an opposing rank when they
found themselves engaged in a hand-to-hand conflict, fighting
desperately for their lives. In such a battle, however, the Turks were
at a disadvantage, for the active Tatars slipped beneath their horses
and disabled them, bringing both the animals and their riders to the
earth.

At the first onslaught Rob shot his pistol at a Turk and wounded him so
severely that he fell from his horse. Instantly the boy seized the
bridle and sprang upon the steed's back, and the next moment he had
dashed into the thickest part of the fray. Bullets and blows rained
upon him from all sides, but the Garment of Repulsion saved him from a
single scratch.

When his pistols had been discharged he caught up the broken handle of
a spear, and used it as a club, galloping into the ranks of the Turks
and belaboring them as hard as he could. The Tatars cheered and
followed him, and the Turks were so amazed at his miraculous escape
from their bullets that they became terrified, thinking he bore a
charmed life and was protected by unseen powers.

This terror helped turn the tide of battle, and before long the enemy
was pressed back to the walls and retreated through the gates, which
were hastily fastened behind them.

In order to prevent a repetition of this sally the Tatars at once
invested the gates, so that if the Turks should open them they were as
likely to let their foes in