第28章 Turk and Tatar(2)

Finding no one awake except the boy the fellow sat upon the edge o. the wall, with his feet dangling downward, and grinned wickedly at hi. former victim. Rob watched him with almost breathless eagerness.

After making many motions that conveyed no meaning whatever, the Tur. drew the electric tube from his pocket and pointed his finger first a. the boy and then at the instrument, as if inquiring what it was use. for. Rob shook his head. The Turk turned the tube over several time. and examined it carefully, after which he also shook his head, seemin. greatly puzzled.

By this time the boy was fairly trembling with excitement. He longe. to recover this valuable weapon, and feared that at any moment th. curious Turk would discover its use. He held out his hand toward th. tube, and tried to say, by motions, that he would show the fellow ho. to use it. The man seemed to understand, by he would not let th. glittering instrument out of his possession.

Rob was almost in despair, when he happened to notice upon his han. the ruby ring given him by the chief. Drawing the jewel from hi. 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 hea. repeatedly, holding out his hand for the ring. Rob had littl. confidence in the man's honor, but he was so eager to regain the tub. that he decided to trust him. So he threw the ring to the top of th. wall, where the Turk caught it skilfully; but when Rob held out hi. hand for the tube the scoundrel only laughed at him and began t. scramble to his feet in order to beat a retreat. Chance, however. foiled this disgraceful treachery, for in his hurry the Turk allowe. the tube to slip from his grasp, and it rolled off the wall and fel. upon the sand at Rob's very feet.

The robber turned to watch its fall and, filled with sudden anger, th. boy grabbed the weapon, pointed it at his enemy, and pressed th. button. Down tumbled the Turk, without a cry, and lay motionless a. the foot of the wall.

Rob's first thought was to search the pockets of his captive, and t. his delight he found and recovered his box of food tablets. Th. Record of Events and the traveling machine were doubtless in th. possession of the other robbers, but Rob did not despair of recoverin. them, now that he had the tube to aid him.

Day was now breaking, and several of the Tatars appeared and examine. the body of the Turk with grunts of surprise, for there was no mar. 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 h. showed the jewel to the guard and was at once admitted. Th. black-bearded chieftain was still reclining upon his pillows, but Ro. bowed before him, and by means of signs managed to ask for a band o. warriors to assist him in assaulting the town. The chieftain appeare. to doubt the wisdom of the enterprise, not being able to understan. how the boy could expect to succeed; but he graciously issued th. required order, and by the time Rob reached the city gate he found . large group of Tatars gathered to support him, while the entire camp. roused to interest in the proceedings, stood looking on.

Rob cared little for the quarrel between the Turks and Tatars, an. under ordinary circumstances would have refused to side with one o. the other; but he knew he could not hope to recover his electrica. machines unless the city was taken by the band of warriors who ha. befriended him, so he determined to force an entrance for them.

Without hesitation he walked close to the great gate and shattered it. fastenings with the force of the electric current directed upon the. from the tube. Then, shouting to his friends the Tatars fo. assistance, they rushed in a body upon the gate and dashed it open.

The Turks had expected trouble when they heard the fastenings of th. huge gate splinter and fall apart, so they had assembled in forc. before the opening. As the Tatars poured through the gateway in . compact mass they were met by a hail of bullets, spears and arrows. which did fearful execution among them. Many were killed outright. while others fell wounded to be trampled upon by those who pressed o. from the rear.

Rob maintained his position in the front rank, but escaped all injur. through the possession of the Garment of Repulsion. But he took a. active part in the fight and pressed the button of the electric tub. again and again, tumbling the enemy into heaps on every side. even the horses and camels falling helplessly before the resistles. current of electricity.

The Tatars shouted joyfully as they witnessed this marvelous feat an. rushed forward to assist in the slaughter; but the boy motioned the. all back. He did not wish any more bloodshed than was necessary, an. knew that the heaps of unconscious Turks around him would soon recover.

So he stood alone and faced the enemy, calmly knocking them over a. fast as they came near. Two of the Turks managed to creep up behin. the boy, and one of them, who wielded an immense simitar with . two-edged blade as sharp as a razor, swung the weapon fiercely to cu. off Rob's head. But the repulsive force aroused in the Garment was s. terrific that it sent the weapon flying backwards with redouble. swiftness, so that it caught the second Turk at the waist and cut hi. fairly in two.

Thereafter they all avoided coming near the boy, and in a surprisingl. short time the Turkish forces were entirely conquered, all having bee. reduced to unconsciousness except a few cowards who had run away an. hidden in the cellars or garrets of the houses.

The Tatars entered the city with shouts of triumph, and the chie. was so delighted that he threw his arms around Rob's neck and embrace. him warmly.

Then began the sack of Yarkand, the fierce Tatars plundering the bazaar. and houses, stripping them of everything of value they could find.