or,
unable any longer to endure the fatigue, managed to check the pace of
his horse, and dismount.

The Moors endeavored to make him proceed, but were unsuccessful.

Bill declared that should he again be placed on the horse, he should
probably fall off and break his neck.

This was communicated to Rais Mourad, who had turned back in a rage to
inquire the cause of the delay. It was the Krooman who acted as
interpreter.

The Moor's anger immediately subsided on learning that one of the slaves
could speak Arabic.

"Do you and your companions wish for freedom?" asked the Moor,
addressing himself to the Krooman.

"We pray for it every hour."

"Then tell that foolish man that freedom is not found here--that to
obtain it he must move on with me."

The Krooman made the communication as desired.

"I don't want to hear any more about freedom," answered Bill; "I've
'eard enough ov it. If any on 'em is goin' to give us a chance for
liberty, let 'em do it without so many promises."

The old sailor remained obstinate.

Neither entreaties nor threats could induce him to go farther; and Rais
Mourad gave orders to his followers to halt upon the spot, as he
intended to stay there for the remainder of the night. The halt was
accordingly made, and a temporary camp established.

Although exhausted with their long, rough ride, Harry and Colin could
not sleep. The hope of liberty was glowing too brightly within their
bosoms.

This hope had not been inspired by anything that had been said or done
by Rais Mourad; for they now placed no trust in the promises of any one.

Their hopes were simply based upon the belief that they were now going
towards Mogador, that the Moor, their master, was an intelligent man--a
man who might know that he would not lose his money by taking English
subjects to a place where they would be sure of being ransomed.

CHAPTER LXXXI.

A PURSUIT.

At the first appearance of day, Rais Mourad ordered the march to be
resumed, over a long ridge of sand. The sun soon after rising, on a high
hill about four leagues distant were seen the white walls of the city of
Santa Cruz, or, as it is called by the Arabs, Agadez. Descending the
sand ridge, the cavalcade moved over a level plain covered with grain
crops, and dotted here and there with small walled villages surrounded
by plantations of vines and date-trees.

At one of the villages near the road the cavalcade made a halt, and was
admitted within