ollowers
seized hold of and fast bound both of them.

Jim's threat that they should not hold him alive, had thus proved but an
idle boast.

Harry, Colin, and Bill, now turned back, dismounted, and showed their
determination to remain with their companions, by sitting down alongside
of them.

"These Christian dogs do not wish for liberty!" exclaimed one of the
merchants. "Allah forbid that we should force them to accept it. Who
will buy them?"

These words completely upset all Jim's plans. He saw that he was
depriving the others of the only opportunity they might ever have of
obtaining their liberty.

"Go on, go on!" he exclaimed. "Make no further resistance. It is
possible they may take you to Mogador. Do not throw away the chance."

"We are not goin' to lave you, Jim," said Bill, "not even for
liberty,--leastways, I'm not. Don't you be afeerd of that!"

"Of course we will not, unless we are forced to do so," added Harry.
"Have you not said that we must keep together?"

"Have you not all promised to be guided by me?" replied Jim. "I tell you
now to make no more resistance. Go on with them if you wish ever to be
free!"

"Jim knows what he is about," interposed Colin; "let us obey him."

With some reluctance, Harry and Bill were induced to mount again; but
just as they were moving away, they were recalled by Jim, who told them
not to leave; and that all must persevere in the determination not to be
separated.

"The man has certainly gone mad," reflected Harry Blount, as he turned
back once more. "We must no longer be controlled by him; but Terence
must not be left behind. We cannot forsake _him_."

Again the three dismounted, and returning to the spot where Jim and
Terence lay fast bound along the sand, sat determinedly down beside
them.

CHAPTER LXXIV.

MORE TORTURE.

The sudden change of purpose and the counter-orders given by Jim were
caused by something he had just heard while listening to the
conversation of the Arabs.

Seeing that the merchants, rather than have any unnecessary trouble with
them, were disposed to sell them all, Jim had been unwilling to deprive
his brother and the others of an opportunity of obtaining their freedom.
For this reason had he entreated them to leave Terence and himself to
their fate.

But just as he had prevailed on Harry and his companion to go quietly,
he learnt from the Arabs that the man who had purchased Terence and
himself refused to have any more