Then he leapt to his feet, delivering, as he did so, a heavy blow, with the barrel of his pistol, on the head of the trader who had been sitting between him and Surajah.
It had all passed in a few seconds, and the other men started back, in their surprise at this unexpected failure of their plan.
Surajah was on his feet almost as quickly as Dick.

Even yet, he did not understand what had happened.

At this moment there was the crack of another pistol, and then Ibrahim came running towards them, having shot a man who had suddenly drawn his sword, and tried to cut him down.

At his heels came the six men who had, up to this point, been standing in a group near their horses.
Without hesitation, Dick drew out one of his single-barrelled pistols and shot the pretended trader, whose turban had saved him from the effect of the blow, and who, shouting loudly to his companions, was struggling to his feet.

The remaining eight men had all drawn their swords, and were rushing upon them.
"Fire, Surajah!" Dick shouted.