for a few minutes held consultation apart, and then one of
them announced that they had resolved upon following El Hajji's advice.
Bo Muzem should go to Swearah as the bearer of a letter from Harry to
his uncle.

"Tell the young man," said one of the merchants, addressing himself to
the interpreter, "tell him, from me, that if the ransom be not paid, he
shall surely die on Bo Muzem's return. Tell him that."

The Krooman made the communication, and Harry accepted the terms.

A piece of dirty crumpled paper, a reed, and some ink was then placed
before Harry; and while the letter was being written, Bo Muzem commenced
making preparations for his journey.

Knowing that their only hope of liberty depended on their situation
being made known to some countrymen resident in Mogador, Harry took up
the pen, and, with much difficulty, succeeded in scribbling the
following letter:--

"SIR,--Two midshipmen of H. M. S. ---- (lost a few weeks ago north
of Cape Blanco), and two seamen are now held in slavery at a small
town one day's journey from Santa Cruz. The bearer of this note is
one of our masters. His business in Mogador is to learn if we will
be ransomed and if he is unsuccessful in finding any one who will
pay the money to redeem us, the writer of this note is to be
killed. If you cannot or will not pay the money they require (one
hundred and fifty dollars for each slave), direct the bearer to
some one whom you think will do so.

"There is a midshipman from the same vessel, and another English
sailor one day's journey south of this place.

"Perhaps the bearer of this note, Bo Muzem, may be induced to
obtain them, so that they also may be ransomed.

"Henry Blount."

This letter Harry folded, and directed to "Any English merchant in
Mogador."

By the time it was written, Bo Muzem was mounted, and ready for the
road.

After receiving the letter, he wished Harry to be informed once more,
that, should the journey to Swearah be fruitless, nothing but his
(Harry's) life would compensate him for the disappointment.

After promising to be back in eight days, and enjoining upon his
partners to look well after their property during his absence, Bo Muzem
took his departure from the town.

CHAPTER LXXVIII.

BO MUZEM'S JOURNEY.

Although an Arab merchant, Bo Muzem was an honest man,--one who in all
business transactions told the truth, and expec