Then a startling thing occurred.
A body of men suddenly appeared from the numerous galleries, to be seen on their left, and rushed toward them.
There must have been fully a hundred of them, and all were attired in long gowns of some dark-colored material, and were barefooted and without any head covering.
The strange horde had the appearance of Turks, both in manner and looks.
The moment Leo and Dick beheld them, they placed their rifles to their shoulders.
Their action was quickly followed by their companions, and then Leo exclaimed:
“Halt! We mean you no harm!”
But the command was entirely disregarded. The crowd of men rushed at them with a quicker pace, if possible, brandishing spears and bows and arrows.
When within about fifty feet of the intruders, they came to a sudden halt and sent a flight of arrows at them.
One of these found lodgment in the fleshy part of Martin Haypole’s leg, and another went through the crown of the professor’s hat.