The party on the right was now reinforced and were gaining ground. They swerved still farther away from the little party.
"What is the idea?"
This new manoeuvre was disconcerting.
"Makin' for the wood," said Hank calmly, "it's a hold up, sure."
This evidently was the plan, for as the fugitives struck the uneven surface of the Fez Road the right and left horns of the pursuing crescent, converged as by signal upon the wood ahead.
Hank unslung his Winchester.
"There'll be somethin' doin'," he said with conviction. His prophecy was fulfilled, for scarcely had the last fluttering white jellab disappeared into the plantation than there came a perfect fusilade of firing.
The Duke looked back.
The Moors in the rear numbered a dozen. He chose his ground.
There was a dry water-course to the right of the road and into this he led his party.