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examined it carefully, after which he also shook his head, seeming
greatly puzzled.
By this time the boy was fairly trembling with excitement. He longed to
recover this valuable weapon, and feared that at any moment the curious
Turk would discover its use. He held out his hand toward the tube, and
tried to say, by motions, that he would show the fellow how to use it.
The man seemed to understand, by he would not let the glittering
instrument out of his possession.
Rob was almost in despair, when he happened to notice upon his hand
the ruby ring given him by the chief. Drawing the jewel from his finger
he made offer, by signs, that he would exchange it for the tube.
The Turk was much pleased with the idea, and nodded his head
repeatedly, holding out his hand for the ring. Rob had little confidence
in the man's honor, but he was so eager to regain the tube that he
decided to trust him. So he threw the ring to the top of the wall, where
the Turk caught it skilfully; but when Rob held out his hand for the tube
the scoundrel only laughed at him and began to scramble to his feet in
order to beat a retreat. Chance, however, foiled this disgraceful
treachery, for in his hurry the Turk allowed the tube to slip from his
grasp, and it rolled off the wall and fell upon the sand at Rob's very feet.
The robber turned to watch its fall and, filled with sudden anger, the boy
grabbed the weapon, pointed it at his enemy, and pressed the button.
Down tumbled the Turk, without a cry, and lay motionless at the foot of
the wall.
Rob's first thought was to search the pockets of his captive, and to his
delight he found and recovered his box of food tablets. The Record of
Events and the traveling machine were doubtless in the possession of the
other robbers, but Rob did not despair of recovering them, now that he
had the tube to aid him.
Day was now breaking, and several of the Tatars appeared and examined
the body of the Turk with grunts of surprise, for there was no mark upon
him to show how he had been slain. Supposing him to be dead, they
tossed him aside and forgot all about him.
Rob had secured his ruby ring again, and going to the chief's tent he
showed the jewel to the guard and was at once admitted. The black-
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