m their hiding places and mingled with the
ranks of the men, and Rob guessed, from their joyous chattering, that
the Turks had regained the city and driven out or killed the Tatar
warriors. He reflected, gloomily, that this did not affect his own
position in any way, since he could not escape from the oasis.

Suddenly, on glancing at the crowd, Rob saw something that arrested his
attention. A young girl was fastening some article to the wrist of a
burly, villainous-looking Turk. The boy saw a glitter that reminded
him of the traveling machine, but immediately afterward the man and the
girl bent their heads over the fellow's wrist in such a way that Rob
could see nothing more.

While the couple were apparently examining the strange device, Rob
started to his feet and walked toward them. The crowd fell back at his
approach, but the man and the girl were so interested that they did not
notice him. He was still several paces away when the girl put out her
finger and touched the indicator on the dial.

To Rob's horror and consternation the big Turk began to rise slowly
into the air, while a howl of fear burst from the crowd. But the boy
made a mighty spring and caught the Turk by his foot, clinging to it
with desperate tenacity, while they both mounted steadily upward until
they were far above the city of the desert.

The big Turk screamed pitifully at first, and then actually fainted
away from fright. Rob was much frightened, on his part, for he knew if
his hands slipped from their hold he would fall to his death. Indeed,
one hand was slipping already, so he made a frantic clutch and caught
firmly hold of the Turk's baggy trousers. Then, slowly and carefully,
he drew himself up and seized the leather belt that encircled the man's
waist. This firm grip gave him new confidence, and he began to breathe
more freely.

He now clung to the body of the Turk with both legs entwined, in the
way he was accustomed to cling to a tree-trunk when he climbed after
cherries at home. He had conquered his fear of falling, and took time
to recover his wits and his strength.

They had now reached such a tremendous height that the city looked like
a speck on the desert beneath them. Knowing he must act quickly, Rob
seized the dangling left arm of the unconscious Turk and raised it
until he could reach the dial of the traveling machine. He feared to
unclasp the machine just then, for two reasons: if it slipped from his
grasp t