“Brace up,” came sharply from Frank. “Everything depends on our nerve now. If we show signs of weakness, there is not one chance in a hundred for us. Keep a stiff backbone, Ephraim.”
“It’s a fine thing to say ‘brace up,’” fluttered the agitated professor, “but what show have we against that gang of cutthroats?”
“We are not going to lie down and die, professor.”
Of a sudden, with a wild yell, the horsemen divided and swept around the party in opposite directions, passed and swept around again.
“Like Indians in the Western States,” breathed Frank, seeing them string out till there were two parties of horsemen riding in opposite directions, and both surrounding the professor and the two boys.
These evolutions were continued for some time, with the caravan of camels steadily approaching while it was going on. When the Arabs had shown their skill as riders, the old leader, or sheik, gave a signal that caused them to wheel into one compact mass. Then the chief rode boldly toward the professor and boys.
“I s’pose he thinks aour hair is standin’ by this time,” drawled Ephraim.
“Be cool,” directed Frank. “I will meet him.”