em; no matter for that, they're his now by the laws of the
Saaera."

"Bother the laws of the Saaera!" exclaimed Fatima, with a disdainful toss
of her head, and a scornful turning up of her two protruding teeth; "all
stuff and nonsense! There's no law in the Saaera; and if there was, you
know we're never coming into it again. The price you'd get for those
three hobbledehoys would keep us comfortable for the balance of our
lives; and we need never track the Devil's Desert again. Take 'em by
force from old Yellow-face, if you can't get 'em otherwise; but you may
'chouse' him out of them at a game of _helga_,--you know you can beat
him at that. If he won't play again, try your hand at bargaining against
your blacks; offer him two to one."

Thus counselled by the partner of his bosom, the black sheik, instead of
bidding the _saleik aloum_ to his Arab _confrere_, raised his voice
aloud, and demanded from the latter a parley upon business of
importance.

CHAPTER XLII.

THE TRIO STAKED.

The parley that followed was of course unintelligible to our
adventurers, the _Boy Slaves_.

But although they did not understand the words that were exchanged
between the two sheiks, they were not without having a conjecture as to
their import. The gestures made by the two men, and their looks cast
frequently towards themselves, led them to believe that the conversation
related to their transference from one to the other.

There was not much to choose between the two masters. Both appeared to
be unfeeling savages, and so far had treated their captives with much
cruelty. They could only hope, in case of a transfer taking place, that
it would not be partial, but would extend to the trio, and that they
would be kept together. They had been already aware that old Bill was to
be parted from them, and this had caused them a painful feeling; but to
be themselves separated, perhaps never to meet again, was a thought
still more distressing.

The three youths had long been shipmates,--ever since entering the naval
service of their country. They had become fast friends; and believed
that whatever might be the fate before them, they could better bear it
in each other's company. Companionship would at least enable them to
cheer one another; mutual sympathy would, to some extent, alleviate the
hardest lot; while alone, and under such cruel taskmasters, the prospect
was gloomy in the extreme.

With feelings of keen anxiety, therefore, did