"Look out, sahib! they are going to fire!"
At the instant of uttering the warning, Luchman leaped behind a tree and the others did the same.
Several shots cut through the vegetation near them, and the Ghoojurs, seeing that the Feringhees were at bay, checked themselves when but a few rods separated them.
The surgeon saw the call for a little heroic treatment. Observing a dusky ruffian careless about exposing himself, he blazed away with his revolver. The intervening space was so short that he punctured the fellow in the leg, though unfortunately the wound was not severe. With a yell the victim went limping back out of range.
The opportune shot threw the Ghoojurs into a panic, which, however, was quickly over. Almost immediately they began what may be characterized as a double flank movement that was certain to be fatal to the fugitives, unless they resumed their flight without further pause.
The ruffians were not lacking in courage, if it can be called courageous for a dozen armed men to assail one fourth that number. They branched out to the right and left, like a fan, so that by pushing on and closing in they could quickly surround their victims and have them at their mercy.
But the latter did not stand still and allow themselves to be bagged in that fashion. Luchman saw the danger, and called to his friends to take to their heels again. They obeyed, the three making desperate haste toward the open country which was near at hand.
CHAPTER
THE RUINED TEMPLE.
The next minute the fugitives emerged from the jungle into what was once a cultivated field, but which was now covered with a species of short grass burned crisp by the sun. The ground was level, and favorable for pedestrianism.