ld comrades," answered Colin, who seemed less excited
than the others. "Do the best you can for yourselves, and you may some
time escape from this monster."

The attention of Harry was now attracted to Sailor Bill, who had turned
his back toward one of the black slaves sitting near him, and was by
signs entreating the man to untie his hand.

The man refused, evidently fearing the anger of Golah should he be
detected.

The second Krooman, who was unbound, now offered to loose the hands of
his countryman; but the latter seemed satisfied with his want of
freedom, and refused the proffered aid. He also feared death at the
hands of Golah.

If left to divine the ultimate intentions of the black sheik by the
knowledge of human nature they had acquired before falling into his
hands, the white captives would not have been seriously alarmed for the
welfare of any one of their number. But Golah was a specimen of natural
history new to them; and their apprehensions were excited to the highest
pitch by the conduct of those whom they knew to be better acquainted
with his character.

The behavior of the woman who had aroused his anger showed that she was
endeavoring to resign herself to some fearful mode of death. The wild
lamentations of her children denoted that they were conscious of some
impending misfortune.

Fatima seemed about to realize the fulfilment of some long-cherished
hope,--the hope of revenge on a detested rival.

The care Golah had taken to hinder any interference with his plans,--the
words of the Krooman, the looks and gestures of the guards and of Golah
himself, the digging of two graves in the sand,--all gave warning that
some fearful tragedy was about to be enacted. Our adventurers were
conscious of this, and conscious, also, that they could do nothing to
prevent it.

Nearly frantic with the helplessness of their position, they could only
wait--"trembling for the birth of Fate."

CHAPTER LII.

THE SHEIK'S PLAN OF REVENGE.

The second sand-pit was dug a short distance from the first; and when it
had been sunk to the depth of about four and a half feet, Golah
commanded the blacks to leave off their labor,--one of them being sent
back to the line to be seated along with his fellow-slaves.

By this time the tents had been struck, the camels loaded; and all but
Golah and Fatima appeared willing and anxious to depart from the spot.
These were not: for their business at that camping-place had not