, while the other
was now striving to use the gun that was strapped to his back; but
they were at too close quarters for the employing of such a weapon,
and the stout, iron-like frames of the Arabs were fast conquering
the skill and endurance of the Turk. But that bright sword was not
wielded so skillfully for naught, and one of the robbers was already
glad to creep from without its reach, just as his companion
succeeded in breaking the finely-tempered blade with his gun barrel,
leaving the Turk comparatively at his mercy; and again he bade him
surrender the horse, the animal trained to the nicest point of
perfection, still remaining quiet close to the spot where the
encounter had taken place. The clashing of the weapons had startled
him, and he breathed quick, and his ears showed that the nervous
energy of his frame was aroused, but a spear point thrust into his
very flanks would not have started him away until his master bade
him to go.

"Yield thou now, or die!" shouted the excited Bedouin, drawing his
long dagger.

"By the Prophet, never!" again exclaimed the Turk, with vehemence,
though he panted sorely from the extraordinary exertion he had made
to defend himself from the attack of his two assailants.

All this had transpired in far less time than we have occupied in
the relation, and once more now having him greatly at disadvantage,
the Bedouins rushed upon him.

But there came now upon the scene a third party, at this excited
moment, from out the forest of Belgrade. He seemed but a weary
traveller, though when his eyes rested upon the scene we have
described, an instantaneous change came over him, and he appeared at
once to comprehend the meaning of the whole affair. Just at the very
moment when the Arab, who had been partially vanquished and somewhat
severely wounded, regained his feet, and was coming once more to the
contest, the traveller, espousing the side of the weaker party, who
was now indeed unarmed, fiercely attacked the robbers with a heavy
staff that he carried, and in a moment, being comparatively fresh,
and aided by the surprise as well as the lusty blows that he dealt
about him, he caused the two Bedouins to retreat precipitately,
though they made a last and nearly successful effort to carry off
the horse, but this the ready arm of the traveller prevented.

A moment sufficed to put both the Turk and his deliverer in breath
once more.

"Who art thou that hast been so opportunely sent to re