of a
commanding officer, sentries paced to and fro; the sound of their
footsteps and the clash of their arms, each time they turned,
giving warning of their positions. In the center of the streets the
fires--round which the soldiers had, shortly before, been
gathered--still glowed and flickered for, although the days were
hot, the cold at night rendered fires desirable; and there was an
abundance of fuel to be obtained, from the hills.

John crawled along with the greatest care. He had no fear of being
seen, but had he come roughly against a tent-rope he might have
brought out some wakeful occupant of the tent to see who was
moving.

He continued his course until he found himself opposite a fire, in
which some of the brands were burning brightly; while there was no
sentry on guard, within a distance of fifty yards. So far,
everything had gone well; neither in passing through the lines of
the sentries, nor in making their way into the camp, had any of the
band been observed. It was certain now that some, at least, would
succeed in setting fire to the tents, before they were discovered;
and the wind, which was blowing briskly from the mountains, would
speedily spread the flames; and a heavy blow would be inflicted
upon the enemy.

Chapter 9: The Storming Of Gamala.

At last, John made sure that all his followers must have taken up a
favorable position. Rising to his feet he sounded a short note on
his horn; then sprang forward and seized one of the blazing brands,
and applied it to a tent. The canvas, dried by the scorching sun,
lit in an instant and, as the flame leaped up, John ran further
among the tents, lighted another and, leaving the brand there,
sprang twenty yards away and then threw himself down.

By this time, although not twenty seconds had elapsed since he had
given the signal, a sudden uproar had succeeded the stillness which
had reigned in the camp. The sentries had started on their posts,
as they heard the note of the horn; but had stood a moment,
irresolute, not knowing what it meant. Then, as the first flash of
flame shot up, a simultaneous shout had arisen from every man on
guard; rising louder and louder as the first flame was followed,
almost instantly, by a score of others in different parts of the
camp.

It was but a few seconds later that the first trumpeter who rushed
from his tent blew the alarm. Before its notes ceased, it was
answered all over the camp and, with a start, the sl