"I do not know what they will do with them," he said; "but they will do to put on the back of a sofa or something of that sort."
The others also made some purchases, both expending a good deal more than Jack did; but the latter said that he would keep his money for Smyrna, where probably he would get all sorts of pretty things.
They were walking quietly along, when they saw a commotion in front of them. A number of men were shouting and gesticulating angrily, and blows were exchanged.
"Let us get out of this," Jack said. "It is no good running the risk of getting our heads broken."
People were now running from the shops, while from side streets the natives poured down.
"This is a regular row!" Jim Tucker exclaimed. "Look! those fellows are all armed with big sticks. Listen! there are pistols going off somewhere else."
A moment later the natives fell suddenly upon some Europeans standing close to the boys. These drew knives and pistols, and a fierce combat at once raged.
"Come out of this!" Jim exclaimed, running into a shop close by. "We must make a bolt for it somewhere."
At that moment an Italian, armed with a pistol, rushed in from behind the shop.
On seeing the three lads he exclaimed in broken English, "Shut the door, they mean to kill us all!"