re arose a brief
controversy among them.

The trouble they had with their gigantic captive, the difficulty they
anticipated in disposing of him, and their belief that he was a good
Mussulman, were arguments in favor of granting his request, and setting
him at liberty.

It was therefore decided to let him go--on the condition of his taking
his departure at once.

Golah consented; and they proceeded to untie his hands. While this was
being done, the Krooman ran up to Colin's master, and cautioned him to
protect his slave, until the sheik had departed.

This warning was unnecessary, for Golah had other and more serious
thoughts to engage his mind than that of any animosity he might once
have felt against the young Scotchman.

"I am free," said Golah, when his hands were untied. "We are equals, and
Mussulmen. I claim your hospitality. Give me some food and drink."

He then stepped forward to the well, and quenched his thirst, after
which some boiled camel meat was placed before him.

While he was appeasing an appetite that had been two days in gaining
strength, Fatima, who had observed a strange expression in his eyes,
appeared to be in great consternation. She had believed him doomed to a
life of slavery, if not to death; and this belief had influenced her in
her late actions.

Gliding up to the Arab sheik, she entreated to be separated from her
husband; but the only answer she received was, that Golah should have
either of the three wives he chose to take; that he (the sheik) and his
companions were men of honor, who would not break the promise they had
given.

A goat-skin of water, some barley meal, for making _sangleh_, and a few
other necessary articles, were placed on a camel, which was delivered
over to Golah.

The black sheik then addressed a few words in some African language to
his son; and, calling Fatima to follow him, he started off across the
desert.

CHAPTER LVI.

FATIMA'S FATE.

A complete change had come over the fortunes of Fatima. Vain, cruel, and
tyrannical but the moment before, she was now humbled to the dust of the
desert. In place of commanding her fellow wives, she now approached them
with entreaties, begging them to take charge of her child, which she
seemed determined to leave behind her. Both willingly assented to her
wishes.

Our adventurers were puzzled by this circumstance, for there appeared to
be no reason that Fatima should leave her offspring behind her. Even th