of great size. A large moustache, and a beard bushy
and long, almost concealed his month. The ink-horn at his waist, and
his want of weapons of defence, showed that he was a peaceable
character. A lad also, in an Eastern dress, though of simple and
somewhat coarse materials, followed him on a stout mule, which likewise
carried a pair of saddle-bags, and a small square chest secured in
front. Slung over the back of the youth was a long case, of curious
form. A dagger at his side was the only arm he wore. A tall man,
well-armed with matchlock and scimitar, rode ahead on a stout nag. On
his head was the high red Moorish cap, with many folds of muslin twisted
round it. The flowing hair fell over his shoulders, above which he wore
a soolham of red cloth, while gaily-worked yellow boots, and a pair of
spurs of cruel length and sharpness, adorned his feet. He evidently
felt his importance, as the protector and fighting-man of the party.
Another personage followed, of inferior rank, with a mule, which carried
the chief part of the baggage. The country through which they travelled
was of an undulating character, but parched by the suns of summer, the
beds of the winter torrents being now stony ravines, and the only green
visible being furze and palmetto, and here and there patches of Indian
corn not quite ripe, though the stubble of fine wheat and barley
extended over a considerable portion of the ground.

"D'Arcy, my boy, how do you like being turned into a young Turk?" said
Mr Vernon, calling me up to him, after we had proceeded some way.

I touched my mouth, and pointed to out escort.

"Never mind them," he replied; "they are, I am assured, faithful to the
backbone, and know how matters stand. There is little use of giving
such men half-confidences."

"Then," said I, "I'll make play with my tongue while I can. I like the
fun amazingly. What do you propose to do, sir, next?"

"In the first place, when we get up to the territory of the old chief,
Mulai Mohamed, we must leave our escort and proceed alone to his
village. We must present ourselves at his residence, and, inquiring
whether he has jewels to sell or wishes to buy others, must endeavour to
gain access to the inmates of his harem; or, at all events, we must try
to meet with Major Norman, or some of the crew of the _Ariadne_.
However, we must be guided entirely by circumstances."

It was a great satisfaction to me to be able to talk, for I fancied tha