"We can't get back to the bungalow too soon," said Harkins; "the night is pretty well gone, and there seem to be plenty of the natives no matter in what direction we turn."
"Yes, and there are some of them coming this way," remarked the doctor, as they started southward.
"There are only two horsemen, and we needn't turn aside for them."
The natives came along at an easy gallop, and neither halted nor slackened their speed, as they identified one of the Europeans at least, through the dust raised by the animals.
They had not gone far, however, when they suddenly wheeled and let fly with a couple of carbines at the young men. The bullets passed close, and the astounded Harkins, instantly bringing his gun to his shoulder, returned the shot. He missed, probably confused by the dust and his own excitement.
The ruffians galloped off, but there was little doubt that they would return. The fugitives decided to keep to the highway a little longer, and despite the extreme heat, moved at the fastest possible walk. The strong moonlight was of great help, but they were alarmed by the sound of firing, which they feared meant an attack upon the bungalow. The sight of a crowd swarming around a carriage in the road told the awful story. The wretches were so absorbed in their scramble for plunder, that they paid no attention to the two figures, which, leaving the road, made a wide detour beyond them.
Coming back to the highway once more, they pressed on with the same haste, and in due time reached the bungalow, whose low thatched roof they recognized while yet some distance away.
They quickly found that no one was in or near it.
"I don't know whether this is a bad omen or not," said Avery, whose solicitude was distressing.
"I hope it means that they have withdrawn to a safe place," remarked the more hopeful Harkins.