evised was to compel someone of the slaves to carry her
eldest child, a boy about four years of age.

Colin was the victim selected for this duty. All the attempts made by
the young Scotchman to avoid the responsibilities thus imposed upon him,
proved vain. The woman was resolute, and Colin had to yield; although
he resisted until she threatened to call Golah to her assistance.

This argument was conclusive; and the young darkey was placed upon
Colin's shoulders, with its legs around his neck, and one of its hands
grasping him tightly by the hair.

When this arrangement was completed, night had drawn near; and the two
young men who acted as guards hastened forward to select a place for the
_douar_.

There was no danger of any of the slaves making an attempt to escape;
for all were too anxious to receive the small quantity of food that was
to be allowed them at the night halt.

Encumbered with the "piccaninny," and wearied with the long ceaseless
struggle through the sand, Colin lingered behind his companions. The
mother of the child, apparently attentive to the welfare of her
firstborn, checked the progress of her maherry, and rode back to him.

After the camels had been unloaded, and the tents pitched, Golah
superintended the serving out of their suppers, which consisted only of
sangleh. The quantity was even less than had been given the evening
before; but it was devoured by the white captives with a pleasure none
of them had hitherto experienced.

Sailor Bill declared that the brief time in which he was employed in
consuming the few mouthfuls allowed him was a moment of enjoyment that
repaid him for all the sufferings of the day.

"Ah! Master 'Arry," said he, "it's only now we are larnin' to live,
although I did think, one time to-day, we was just larnin' to die. I
never mean to eat again until I'm hungry. Master Terry," he added,
turning to the young Irishman, "isn't this foine livin' intirely? and
are yez not afther bein' happy?"

"'Tis the most delicious food man ever ate," answered Terence; "and the
only fault I can find is, that there is not enough of it."

"Then you may have what is left of mine," said Colin, "for I can't say
that I fancy it."

Harry, Terence, and the sailor, gazed at the young Scotchman with
expressions of mingled alarm and surprise. Small as had been the amount
of sangleh with which Colin had been served, he had not eaten more than
one half of it.

"Why, puir Maister Co