“No, no, no; they will fire.”
“So shall I,” said Yussuf, placing the muzzle of his pistol close to the man’s ear. “Obey me; or—”
Hamed shuddered and began to implore, but Yussuf was rigid.
“Go on back,” he said forcing himself round the foremost horse, closely followed by the professor, though there was hardly room for their steeds to pass, and there was a fall of several hundred feet below, while, pressed like this, Hamed began to whimper; but he obeyed, and led the horses past Lawrence and Mr Burne, who now went forward, eager and excited to know what was wrong, and upon joining their companions it was to find themselves face to face with a gang of about twenty fierce-looking men, all mounted, and who were seated with their guns presented toward the travellers’ heads.
Chapter Thirty Five.
Brought to Bay.
The strangers were some fifty yards away, and thoroughly blocked all further progress. What they were was not open to doubt; but, though they sat there presenting their guns, they did not attempt to fire, nor yet to advance, contenting themselves by barring the travellers’ way.
“Do you think they are enemies, Yussuf?” said Mr Preston calmly.