d.

After proceeding about two miles from the scene of their disappointment,
Golah suddenly stopped,--as he did so, giving to his followers some
orders in a low tone.

The camels were immediately brought into a circle, forced to kneel down,
while their lading was removed from them.

While this was going on, the white captives heard voices, and the
trampling of horses' hoofs.

The black sheik, with his highly educated ear, had detected the approach
of strangers. This had caused him to order the halt.

When the noises had approached a little nearer Golah called out in
Arabic: "Is it peace?"

"It is," was the answer; and as the strangers drew nearer, the
salutations of "Peace be with you!"--"Peace be with all here, and with
your friends!" were exchanged.

The caravan they had met consisted of between fifteen and twenty men,
some horses and camels; and the sheik who commanded it inquired of Golah
from whence he came.

"From the west," answered Golah, giving them to understand that he was
travelling the same way as themselves.

"Then why did you not keep on to the well?" was the next inquiry.

"It is too far away," answered Golah. "We are very weary."

"It is not far," said the chief, "not more than half a league. You had
better go on."

"No. I think it is more than two leagues, and we shall wait till
morning."

"_We_ shall not. I know the well is not far away, and we shall reach it
to-night."

"Very well," said Golah, "go, and may God be with you. But stay,
masters, have you a camel to sell?"

"Yes, a good one. It is a little fatigued now, but will be strong in the
morning."

Golah was aware that any camel they would sell him that night would be
one that could only move with much difficulty,--one that they despaired
of getting any further on the way. The black sheik knew his own business
best; and was willing they should think they had cheated him in the
bargain.

After wrangling for a few minutes, he succeeded in buying their
camel,--the price being a pair of blankets, a shirt, and the dirk that
had been taken from Terence. The camel had no cargo; and had for some
time been forced onward at considerable trouble to its owner.

The strangers soon took their departure, going off in the direction of
the dry well. As soon as they were out of sight Golah gave orders to
reload the animals, and resume the interrupted march. To excite the
slaves to a continuance of the journey, he promised that the camel he