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Those fellows were too cowardly to take part in a fair fight," declared the

boy; but he was much disappointed, nevertheless, as he felt very helpless

without the electric tube or the traveling machine.

The Tatar chief now called Rob to his tent and presented him with a

beautiful ring set with a glowing pigeon's-blood ruby, in acknowledgment

of his services. This gift made the boy feel very proud, and he said to the

chief:

You're all right, old man, even if you do look like a pirate. If you can

manage to capture that city, so I can get my electrical devices back, I'll

consider you a trump as long as I live."

The chief thought this speech was intended to express Rob's gratitude, so

he bowed solemnly in return.

During the night that followed upon the first engagement of the Turks

and Tatars, the boy lay awake trying to devise some plan to capture the

city. The walls seemed too high and thick to be either scaled or broken

by the Tatars, who had no artillery whatever; and within the walls lay all

the fertile part of the oasis, giving the besieged a good supply of water

and provisions, while the besiegers were obliged to subsist on what water

and food they had brought with them.

Just before dawn Rob left his tent and went out to look at the great wall.

The stars gave plenty of light, but the boy was worried to find that,

according to Eastern custom, no sentries or guards whatever had been

posted and all the Tatars were slumbering soundly.

The city was likewise wrapped in profound silence, but just as Rob was

turning away he saw a head project stealthily over the edge of the wall

before him, and recognized in the features one of the Turks who had

robbed him.

Finding no one awake except the boy the fellow sat upon the edge of the

wall, with his feet dangling downward, and grinned wickedly at his

former victim. Rob watched him with almost breathless eagerness.

After making many motions that conveyed no meaning whatever, the

Turk drew the electric tube from his pocket and pointed his finger first at

the boy and then at the instrument, as if inquiring what it was used for.

Rob shook his head. The Turk turned the tube over several times and

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