“They are Turks, of course?” asked Amos, never forgetting for a moment the need of extreme caution when making any communication.
“Yes, hundreds of them gathered there,” he was told. “It is their intention to creep around and attack the camp from the east. Already many of them have started up among the rocks, and the rest expect to follow.”
“Oh! we must manage some way or other to warn the troops, or they may be caught napping, and all of them killed,” Amos went on to say.
“What is the best plan of campaign, Arturus?” asked Jack in his customary direct way; for he knew that action alone could secure the end they had in view.
“We can wait until all have left the road and then pass on,” explained Arturus; “or if we please we might reach the beach, and proceed that way.”
“They may happen to leave a few men behind them to watch the road,” suggested Jack. “On the whole, I think it our best plan to take to the shore.”
“Just as you say, and I myself believe that is the safest way,” admitted Arturus.
“Then let’s be moving right away,” begged Amos.
There was no objection to his plea, and consequently they turned to the left, for the water lay in that quarter. Once more they lowered themselves down the little bluff, and if a few stones were dislodged they expected that the sounds would, even if heard by the nearby Turks, not be deemed suspicious, or worthy of investigation.
Once they struck the sandy strip where the little waves came running up close to their feet, all of them felt vastly relieved. If only they could creep past the danger spot, they would very likely be on the home stretch, and could reach their destination without further trouble.