A crackling volley of rifle shots rang out, bullets whined through the air and flattened themselves upon the boulders and the troop swerved sharply to one side.
"Another!" cried Dick. "Give it to them!"
Again arrows stung them like hornets and the Bedouins, firing wildly, were thrown into confusion.
Then as the charge broke and the riflemen galloped away to reload their weapons, Dick gave the signal to retreat to the second line of defense.
The Taharans fell back, keeping close to the ground and taking shelter at every bush and boulder.
So far the battle had been in their favor. The black-bearded ruffians had been repulsed with dead and wounded, while the Taharans had escaped without loss of a man.
Of course, luck could not favor them always. The raiders had withdrawn to take counsel with Abdul and that ferocious chieftain swore by the beard of the Prophet that he would show no mercy to the "infidel dogs" who had dared to resist him. His hawk eyes stared furiously at the cliffs, then at the boulders, behind each of which lurked a bowman.
"We will not make another charge!" he ordered. "This time each horseman will ride warily, rifle ready for action. Make a detour! Ride to one side of the rocks and try to pick off the archers one by one."
Suli, who rode beside Abdul, searched the horizon with black, angry eyes.
"Where is Slythe?" he muttered. "The winged warrior has failed us!"