nd where one was born, whatever that land may
be."

"That is true," El Bakhat admitted; "but you cannot escape now; there is
nowhere for you to go to."

"That is true, sheik; and I should be well content did I know that you
were travelling straight either for Suakim or Zanzibar, for at either
place I know that I could obtain from my countrymen money to pay any
ransom you might set upon me, even a sum that would buy you fast camels
and much goods, and make you a wealthy man in your tribe; but I am not
content to wait for years."

"You are not thinking of making your escape now?" El Bakhat asked,
looking scrutinizingly at Edgar under his heavy eyebrows.

"No, sheik," Edgar answered. "From the day that you captured me I made
up my mind that I would escape sooner or later, whatever the risk; but I
knew well that I could never traverse the country until I could speak
the language like a native. I have made great progress, and can now
understand all that is said and can talk freely and easily, but not so
that I could travel alone as a native. It will be months yet before I
can do that. Nor, after the kindness with which you have treated me,
would I leave you suddenly without warning. When I feel that I can
safely travel alone I shall give you fair warning. I shall say to you,
Sheik, if you will now travel with me to Suakim or some other port where
I can obtain money for paying you a fair ransom I will remain with you
until such ransom is paid into your hands; if you will not do so I shall
consider myself free to escape when I can. Of course it will be open to
you to treat me again as a slave, and to use all vigilance to prevent my
leaving you, but I shall consider that by giving you fair warning I
shall be free to use my best endeavours to get away."

"You speak boldly," the sheik said, "but you speak fairly. Do you give
me your promise not to attempt to escape until after warning me?"

"Yes, I give you that promise, sheik."

"It is well," El Bakhat said gravely. "I know that you would not lie to
me. After you have given me warning I shall know what to do." So saying
he got up and walked away to his tent.

Three days later, as the caravan was halting at a well, Yussuf, who had
gone out with the camels, ran in.

"There is a large body of men, some on foot and some on horses,
approaching from the south."

"How far are they off?" the sheik asked as he leapt to his feet.

"Scarce half a mile," the negro replied.

"