e of David and Jonathan than was that of
Eskiwin and Ali Bobo. As the screw to the nut, so fitted the one to the
other. Eskiwin was grave, his friend was funny. Ali Bobo was smart,
his comrade was slow. They never clashed. Jacob Lancey, being quiet
and sedate, observed the two, admired each, philosophised on both and
gained their esteem. Their friendship, alas! was of short duration.

"You's goodish sorro man," said Ali Bobo to Lancey one evening, as they
sat over the camp-fire smoking their pipes in concert.

Lancey made no reply, but nodded his head as if in approval of the
sentiment.

"Heskiwin, 'e's a good un too, hain't 'e, Bobo?" asked Lancey, pointing
with his thumb to the tall Turk, who sat cross-legged beside him smoking
a chibouk.

Ali Bobo smiled in the way that a man does when he thinks a great deal
more than he chooses to express.

At that moment the officer in command of the detachment galloped
furiously into the camp with the information that the Russians were upon
them!

Instantly all was uproar, and a scramble to get out of the way.
Eskiwin, however, was an exception. He was a man of quiet promptitude.
Deliberately dropping his pipe, he rose and saddled his horse, while his
more excitable comrades were struggling hurriedly, and therefore slowly,
with the buckles of their harness. Ali Bobo was not less cool, though
more active. Lancey chanced to break his stirrup-leather in mounting.

"I say, Bobo," he called to his stout little friend, who was near, "lend
a 'and, like a good fellow. This brute won't stand still. Give us a
leg."

The little Turk put his hand on Lancey's instep and hoisted him into the
saddle. Next moment the whole party was in full retreat. Not a moment
too soon either. A scattering volley from the Russians, who were coming
on in force, quickened their movements.

The faint moonlight enabled the Turks to distance their pursuers, and
soon the chase appeared to be given up. Still, most of the detachment
continued its headlong retreat for a considerable time.

Suddenly Eskiwin observed that Ali Bobo swayed from side to side as he
rode, and then fell heavily to the ground. He pulled up at once and
dismounted. Lancey, who saw what had happened, also dismounted. The
rest of the detachment was out of sight in a moment. There was no sound
of pursuers, and they found themselves left thus in a lonely spot among
the hills.

On examining the fallen Turk it was found