the only chance remaining to them.

Yet they could not give in without some attempt to punish their enemy.

Jack levelled his pistol at the vizier's head, but by a dexterous
movement he avoided the shot.

"Yield, Christian dogs!" he thundered. "Yield to might and right, for
your capture or death is inevitable."

"You do not know us Boys of England," cried Jack. "We may be taken
dead, but while a breath of life remains, we will never surrender to
black-hearted Turks."

The vizier answered by ordering his men to surround the Christians,
which they did their best to accomplish.

But by an agile movement, Jack and his friends suddenly turned and
galloped off.

It was not in the direction of the sea, for retreat was at present cut
off that way, but across the desert that they fled.

"Forward!" cried Abdullah. "They must not escape us."

For a considerable time this chase continued, till the English, by
"doubling" again, changed the direction of their flight, and made
towards the sea.

Hope arose within their hearts, for they saw a considerable number of
well-armed English sailors, led by Thyra, coming towards them.

A few minutes' galloping joined them with these welcome allies, and
this reinforcement enabled Jack again to defy the Turks.

The latter drew rein, and stood for awhile in hesitation.

This unexpected turn of affairs evidently disconcerted them.

But ere their horses could be put in motion again, Jack and his party
were upon them, backed by their new allies.

The impetuosity of their charge was for a moment irresistible.

They bore down all the Turks before them.

The Turkish troopers recoiled as from the flight of a rocket.

Jack rode on like a hero of old.

His hair streamed in the wind as he darted through the air on his noble
Arab steed.

His eyes flashed fire, and struck awe into each foe that approached
him.

But he soon found himself surrounded by his enemies. Abdullah, who was
at their head, cast himself upon Jack. Their horses were driven on
their haunches by the force of the shock.

Half a dozen sabres at once circled round Jack's head.

Abdullah made a lunge at him with his sword, which would have proved
the death of Jack had not Harry Girdwood at that instant caught the
thrust upon his arm.

Poor Harry! His devotion to his friend had cost him dear.

He reeled, and would have fallen from his saddle, probably trampled to
death, had not Bogey, at the risk of his own life,