't get a step further. Oh, dear, and my head's all bleeding from
that sword cut. Run! Make haste, my dear boy; the wretches are firing
at us!"

Reluctantly the two youths obeyed the instinct of self-preservation, by
letting go the hands of the old tutor, and turning round, they
immediately dived into one of the adjoining alleys.

It was just in time, for at that moment, two musket balls whizzed so
close to them that the difference of a mere inch would have been
certain death.

It was a narrow escape for them; but once out of sight of the soldiers,
they finally reached a place of perfect safety, and after all, as Harry
remarked--

"A miss is as good as a mile."

Meanwhile, Mole's catalogue of misfortunes were still being added to.

Picked up, bleeding and exhausted, by the soldiers, he was instantly
taken before the officer commanding the troops.

Several Arabs, a few Turkish soldiers, and two of the gaolers had been
killed, and there were many wounded men that required attending to.

The commander had enough to do in restoring matters to order, therefore
he left the punishment of Mole to his lieutenant.

"Remove all the prisoners, for the present, to the guardroom," said the
lieutenant. "When I open my council at noon in the divan bring them all
before me."

"Your excellency's word is law," answered the head gaoler, bowing.

The lieutenant turned his horse, and, followed by his bodyguard, rode
home in a very ill temper.

An hour or two's rest, however, and the soothing effects of pipe and
coffee, had somewhat restored his equanimity by the time he re-entered
the divan.

Punctually at noon, the prisoners were brought before him by the head
gaoler.

"Let me see," said the lieutenant, referring to the document, and
checking off the captives as they were identified; "horse-stealing,
highway robbery, drunkenness, assault--yes, I have resolved what to do.
As these offences seem comparatively light, and as our prison is for
the present inefficient, I shall order all these men to be punished
with the bastinado."

"There is one more," said the lieutenant. "This, I find, is the
wretched Frank who dared to personate our great pasha."

"Nothing escapes your honour's penetration," answered the vizier.

"Such a crime deserves a heavier punishment. However, when his turn
comes, give him twenty-five blows."

"It shall be done, illustrious governor," was the response.

And forthwith were summoned the two burly o