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I can't be very particular about the company I keep," he thought, "and

this gang hasn't tried to murder me, as the rascally Turks did. So for the

present I'll stand in with the scowling chief and try to get a shot at the

thieves who robbed me. If our side wins I may get a chance to recover

some of my property. It's a slim chance, of course, but it's the only hope

I have left."

That very evening an opportunity occurred for Rob to win glory in the

eyes of his new friends. Just before sundown the gates of the city flew

open and a swarm of Turks, mounted upon fleet horses and camels,

issued forth and fell upon their enemies. The Tatars, who did not expect

the sally, were scarcely able to form an opposing rank when they found

themselves engaged in a hand-to-hand conflict, fighting desperately for

their lives. In such a battle, however, the Turks were at a disadvantage,

for the active Tatars slipped beneath their horses and disabled them,

bringing both the animals and their riders to the earth.

At the first onslaught Rob shot his pistol at a Turk and wounded him so

severely that he fell from his horse. Instantly the boy seized the bridle

and sprang upon the steed's back, and the next moment he had dashed

into the thickest part of the fray. Bullets and blows rained upon him

from all sides, but the Garment of Repulsion saved him from a single

scratch.

When his pistols had been discharged he caught up the broken handle of

a spear, and used it as a club, galloping into the ranks of the Turks and

belaboring them as hard as he could. The Tatars cheered and followed

him, and the Turks were so amazed at his miraculous escape from their

bullets that they became terrified, thinking he bore a charmed life and

was protected by unseen powers.

This terror helped turn the tide of battle, and before long the enemy was

pressed back to the walls and retreated through the gates, which were

hastily fastened behind them.

In order to prevent a repetition of this sally the Tatars at once invested

the gates, so that if the Turks should open them they were as likely to let

their foes in as to oppose them.

While the tents were being moved up Rob had an opportunity to search

the battlefield for the bodies of the three Turks who had robbed him, but

they were not among the fallen.

The Master Key