The Arabs never acquire much skill in the use of the scimitar, and an
affair between them with these weapons is soon decided.

The contest between the merchant and his antagonist was not an exception
to other affrays between their countrymen. It was a strife for life or
death, witnessed by the slaves who felt no sympathy for either of the
combatants.

A mussulman in a quarrel generally places more dependence on the justice
of his cause than either on his strength or skill; and when such is not
the case much of his natural prowess is lost to him.

Confident in the rectitude of his indignation, Bo Muzem, with his
Mohammedan ideas of fatalism, was certain that the hour had not yet
arrived for him to die; nor was he mistaken.

His impetuous onset could not be resisted by a man unfortified with the
belief that he had acted justly: and Mahommed the grazier was soon sent
to the ground, rolling in the dust in the agonies of death.

"There's one less on 'em anyhow," exclaimed Sailor Bill, as he saw the
Arab cease to live. "I wish he had brought brother Jem and Master
Terence here. I wonder what he has done wi' 'em?"

"We should learn, if possible," answered Harry, "and before we get any
farther away from them. Suppose we speak to the Moor about them? He may
be able to obtain them in some way."

At Harry's request, the Krooman proceeded to make the desired
communication, but was prevented by Rais Mourad ordering the slaves into
their places for the purpose of continuing the journey which this tragic
incident had interrupted.

After cautioning Bo Muzem to beware of the followers of Mahommed, who
now lay dead at their feet, the Moor, at the head of his kafila, moved
off in the direction of Mogador.

CHAPTER LXXXIII.

THE JEW'S LEAP.

The road followed by Rais Mourad on the day after leaving Santa Cruz was
through a country of very uneven surface.

Part of the time the kafila would be in a narrow valley by the seashore,
and in the next hour following a zigzag path on the side of some
precipitous mountain.

In such places the kafila would have to proceed in single file, while
the Moors would be constantly cautioning the slaves against falling from
the backs of their animals.

While stopping for an hour at noon for the horses to rest, the Krooman
turned over a flat stone, and underneath it found a large scorpion.

After making a hole in the sand about six inches deep, and five or six
in diameter, he put the