That is understood, but it does not prevent me from desiring to advance.

Still we will redouble our caution." They see lights.

These appear to come from openings in the hill, doubtless mouths of the deserted mines, which the robber band of Bab Azoun occupy temporarily, with their accustomed boldness.
Drawing still nearer, under Mustapha's clever guidance, they discover that the main body of the robbers are encamped in the largest cavern, and as it seems natural that they would bring their prisoners here, the two men devote their time toward looking up that quarter.
The Arab courier has played as a boy in these old mines, and knows all about them.

This knowledge may serve him well now, and John is pleased to think he is in the hands of one so well informed.
In half an hour they have managed to learn an important fact.

The prisoners are in the main cavern.