rked Colin. "We should count
for something."

"So we do,--as merchandise," replied Harry; "we have hitherto been
helpless as children in protecting ourselves. What can we do? The
boasted superiority of our race or country cannot be true here in the
desert. We are out of our element."

"Yes, that's sartain!" exclaimed Bill; "but we're not far from it.
Shiver my timbers if I don't smell salt water. Be Jabers! if we go on
towards the west we shall see the say afore night."

During this dialogue the Arabs were holding a consultation as to what
they should do.

To divide the camp, and send some after their enemies, was pronounced
impolitic: the party sent in pursuit, and that left to guard the
caravan,--either would be too weak if attacked by their truculent enemy.

In union alone was strength, and they resolved to remain together,
believing that they should have a visit from Golah again, while better
prepared to receive him.

The footprints leading out from the two ravines were traced for about a
mile in the direction they wished to follow.

The tracks of camels and horses were there found; and they could tell by
the signs that their enemies had mounted and ridden off towards the
west.

They possibly might have avoided meeting Golah again by going eastward;
but, from their knowledge of the desert, no water was to be found in
that direction in less than five days' journey.

Moreover, they did not yet wish to avoid him. They thirsted for revenge,
and were impatient to move on; for a journey of two days was still
before them before they could hope to arrive at the nearest water.

When every preparation had been made to resume their route, there was
one obstacle in the way of their taking an immediate departure.

Their wounded companion was not yet defunct. They saw it would be
impossible for him to live much longer; for the lower part of his
body,--all below the shattered portion of the spine,--appeared already
without life. A few hours at most would terminate his sufferings; but
for the expiration of those few hours,--or minutes, as fate should
decide,--his companions seemed unwilling to wait!

They dug a hole in the sand near where the wounded man was lying. This
was but the work of a few minutes. As soon as the grave was completed,
the eyes of all were once more turned upon the wretched sufferer.

He was still alive, and by piteous moans expressing the agony he was
enduring.

"Bismillah!" exclaimed the old