arose.

The sheik did not alight from his camel, but with his followers
continued his way until he reached the encampment. Here dismounting he
entered one of the largest of the tents. The other two Arabs were
surrounded by the natives, and Edgar stood by the camels doubtful as to
what he was expected to do next. He was not left undisturbed long. The
Arabs had evidently told the news that their black comrade was a white
slave whom the sheik had captured, and all crowded round him examining
him with the greatest curiosity. There was nothing to them remarkable
about his colour, for he was darker than any of them; but his hair,
closely cropped like that of all engaged in the expedition, evidently
amused them much.

One of the women quickly fetched a large gourd full of water, and made
signs to him to wash himself, which he was glad enough to do after his
four days' dusty journey, but before commencing he plunged his face into
the bowl and took a long drink. Shouts of surprise and amusement arose
as with diligent rubbing he gradually got rid of the thickest part of
the charcoal, and his skin began to show through.

"I wish to goodness," he muttered to himself, "I had got a cake or two
of soap here, but I suppose it is a thing that they never heard of; even
a scrubbing-brush would be a comfort. I shall be weeks before I get
myself thoroughly white again; it is completely ground into my skin."

He had, however, managed to get rid of the greater part of the charcoal,
and was from the waist upward a dingy white, when the sheik came out
from his tent. He was followed by a good-looking Arab woman. He called
Edgar to him and said, "This is your mistress." Edgar had during the
journey guessed that he was intended as a special present for the
sheik's wife, and that his lot would depend in no slight degree upon
her, and resolved to do his utmost to earn her good opinion. He
therefore bent on one knee, and taking her hand placed it on his head.
The woman laughed good-naturedly, and said something to the sheik which
by its tone Edgar felt was an expression of approval.

The camels had all this time remained kneeling, and the sheik now
ordered them to be unloaded. Edgar had wondered what the various bundles
might contain, and looked with almost as much curiosity as the expectant
Arabs at the process of opening them.

As their contents were gradually brought to light, he understood at once
why the sheik and his followers had taken n