the night.

This he discovered some seven or eight paces from the spot where the
Arabs were seated.

"I have been disappointed about obtaining my freedom so many times,"
muttered Jim, "that I can scarce believe I shall ever succeed. Those
fellows are talking about Mogador; and I don't like their looks. Hark!
what is that about 'more than you can get in Swearah!' I believe these
new Arabs are making an offer to buy us. If so, may their prophets curse
them!"

CHAPTER LXXIII.

ANOTHER BARGAIN.

The conversation amongst the Arabs was kept up until a late hour; and
during the time it continued, our adventurers were impatiently awaiting
the return of the Krooman.

He came at length, after the Arabs had retired to their tents; and all
gathered around him, eager to learn what he had heard.

"I find out too much," said he, in answer to their inquiries; "too much,
and no much good."

"What was it?"

"Two of you be sold to-morrow."

"What two?"

"No one know. One man examine us all in the morning, but take only two."

After suffering a long lesson teaching the virtue of patience, they
learnt from the Krooman that one of those who had been conversing with
their masters was a grazier, owning large droves of cattle; and that he
had lately been to Swearah.

He had told the merchants that they would not be able to get a large
price for their slaves in that place; and that the chances were much
against their making more than the actual expenses incurred in so long a
journey. He assured the Arab merchants that no Christian consul or
foreign merchant in Mogador would pay a dollar more for redeeming six
slaves than what they could be made to pay for two or three; that they
were not always willing or prepared to pay anything; and that whenever
they did redeem a slave, they did not consider his value, but only the
time and expense that had been incurred in bringing him to the place.

Under the influence of these representations, the Arab merchants had
agreed to sell two of their white slaves to the grazier,--thinking they
would get as much for the remaining four as they would by taking all six
to the end of the journey.

The owner of the herds was to make his choice in the morning.

"I thought there was a breaker ahead," exclaimed Jim, after the Krooman
had concluded his report. "We must not be separated except by liberty or
death. Our masters must take us all to Mogador. There is trouble before
us yet; but we