It was amid shots falling like hail in every direction, and menaced by killing blows from heavy sabres that the retreat was made.
Thyra performed another act of heroism at this juncture.
A Turkish sergeant, on foot, fired straight at her as she passed.
By the width of scarce an inch, the bullet missed piercing her brain, but she answered it by a shot which sought and found the heart of the Turk, and he fell dead instantaneously.
In this way all the Englishmen got through the ranks of the foe and joined the chief.
The rest of the Arabs followed, but they had a hard task to do so, for the enemy now overwhelmingly outnumbered their reduced force.
But our friends were not to escape even thus easily.
The Turks made fresh and vigorous efforts, not only to prevent their retreat, but to effect their capture.
Seeing the peril they were in, Jack called to Thyra and said—
"My good girl, you have acted with heroic bravery, but our danger is now greater than ever, and you must quit this scene."