l; but the
young Englishman had also become impressed with the danger suggested by
Terence, that Golah would yet kill the Arabs, and take the boy slaves
back to Timbuctoo.

"Tell the sheik that he is an old fool," said he to the interpreter;
"tell him that we have a greater objection to falling into the hands of
Golah than he has of losing either us or his own life. Tell him that we
wish to go north, where we can be redeemed; and that for this reason
alone we should be far more careful than any of his own people in
guarding the camp against surprise."

When this communication was made to the old sheik it seemed to strike
him as having some reason in it; and, convinced by the Krooman's
arguments that there was still danger to be apprehended from Golah's
vengeance, he directed that the douar should be strictly guarded, and
that the white slaves might take part in the duty.

"You shall be taken north, and sold to your countrymen," promised he,
"if you give us no trouble in the transit. There are but few of my
people left now, and it is hard for us to travel all day and keep watch
all night. If you are really afraid of falling into the hands of this
Prophet-accursed negro, and will help us in guarding against his
murderous attacks, you are welcome to do so; but if any one of you
attempt to play traitor, the whole four of you shall lose your heads. I
swear it by the beard of the Prophet!"

The Krooman assured him that none of the white slaves had any desire to
deceive him, adding that self-interest, if nothing else, would cause
them to be true to those who would take them to a place where they would
have a chance of being ransomed out of slavery.

Darkness having by this time descended over the desert, the sheik set
about appointing the guard for the night. He was too suspicious of his
white slaves to allow all the four of them to act as guards at the same
time, while he and his companions were asleep. He was willing, however,
that one of them should be allowed to keep watch in company with one of
his own followers.

In choosing the individual for this duty, he inquired from the Krooman
which of the four had been most ill-used by the black sheik. Sailor Bill
was pointed out as the man, and the interpreter gave some details of the
cruel treatment to which the old man-o'-war's-man had been subjected at
the hands of Golah.

"Bismillah! that is well," said the sheik. "Let him keep the watch.
After what you say, revenge