of the others.

Riding up to the Moor, this man declared that the slaves were his
property; that he had purchased them the day before, and had given four
horses and ten dollars in money for each.

He loudly protested against being robbed of his property, and declared
that he would bring two hundred men, if necessary, for the purpose of
taking possession of his own.

Rais Mourad, paying no attention to this threat, gave orders to his
followers to move on; and, although it was now almost night, started off
in the direction of Santa Cruz.

Before they had proceeded far, they perceived the Arab grazier riding at
full speed in the opposite direction, and towards his own home.

"I wish that we had made some inquiries of that fellow about Jim and
Terence," said Colin; "but it's too late now."

"Yes, too late," echoed Harry, "and I wish that he had obtained
possession of us instead of our present master. We should then have all
come together again. But what are we to think of this last turn of
Fortune's wheel?"

"I am rather pleased at it," answered Colin. "A while ago we were in
despair, because the Moor had bought us. That was a mistake. If he had
not done so, you Harry would have been killed."

"Bill!" added the young Scotchman, turning to the old sailor, "what are
you dreaming about?"

"Nothing," answered Bill, "I'm no goin to drame or think any mair."

"We ah gwine straight for Swearah," observed the Krooman as he spoke,
glancing towards the northwest.

"That is true," exclaimed Harry, looking in the same direction. "Can it
be that we are to be taken into the empire of Morocco? If so, there is
hope for us yet."

"But Bo Muzem could find no one who would pay the money for our ransom,"
interposed Colin.

"He nebba go thar," said the Krooman. "He nebba had de time."

"I believe the Krooman is right," said Harry. "We have been told that
Mogador is four days' journey from here, and the Arab was gone but six
days."

The conversation of the slaves was interrupted by the Moors, who kept
constantly urging them to greater speed.

The night came on very dark, but Rais Mourad would not allow them to
move at a slower pace.

Sailor Bill, being as he declared unused to "navigate any sort o' land
craft," could only keep his seat on the animal he bestrode, by allowing
it to follow the others, while he clutched its mane with a firm grasp of
both hands.

The journey was continued until near midnight, when the old sail