cularly remarked, "it was like filling the water-casks
of a man-of-war previous to weighing anchor for a voyage." In truth,
very similar was the purpose for which these ships of the desert were
being supplied; for, when filling the capacious stomachs of the
quadrupeds, their owners were not without the reflection that the supply
might yet pass into their own. Such a contingency was not improbable,
neither would it be new.

For this reason the operation was conducted with diligence and care,--no
camel being led away from the pool until it was supposed to have had a
"surfeit," and this point was settled by seeing the water poured in at
its nostrils running out at its mouth.

As each in turn got filled, it was taken back to the tribe to which it
belonged; for the united hordes had by this time become separated into
two distinct parties, preparatory to starting off on their respective
routes.

Our adventurers could now perceive a marked difference between the two
bands of Saaera wanderers into whose hands they had unfortunately fallen.
As already stated, the black sheik was an African of the true negro
type, with thick lips, flattened nostrils, woolly hair, and heels
projecting several inches to the rear of his ankle-joints. Most of his
following were similarly "furnished," though not all of them. There were
a few of mixed color, with straight hair, and features almost Caucasian,
who submitted to his rule, or rather to his ownership, since these last
all appeared to be his slaves.

Those who trooped after the old Arab were mostly of his own race, mixed
with a remnant of mongrel Portuguese,--descendants of the peninsular
colonists who had fled from the coast settlements after the conquest of
Morocco by the victorious "Sheriffs."

Of such mixed races are the tribes who thinly people the Saaera,--Arabs,
Berbers, Ethiopians of every hue; all equally Bedoweens,--wanderers of
the pathless deserts. It did not escape the observation of our
adventurers that the slaves of the Arab sheik and his followers were
mostly pure negroes from the south, while those of the black
chieftain,--as proclaimed by the color of their skin,--showed a Shemitic
or Japhetic origin. The philosophic Colin could perceive in this a
silent evidence of the retribution of races.

The supply of water being at length laid in, not only in the skins
appropriated to the purpose, but also within the stomachs of the camels,
the two tribes seemed prepared to exch