d satisfied the demands of nature, Golah showed them the
quantity of water he deemed sufficient for a thirsty individual, by
drinking about a pint himself, not more than a fifth of the amount
consumed by each of his white slaves.

Long years of short allowance had accustomed the negro sheik to make
shift with a limited allowance of the precious commodity, and yet
continue strong and active.

About two hours after they had reached the well, and just as they had
finished watering the camels, another caravan arrived. Its leader was
hailed by Golah with the words, "Is it peace?" the usual salutation when
strangers meet on the desert.

The answer was, "It is peace;" and the new comers dismounted and pitched
their camp.

Next morning Golah had a long talk with their sheik, after which he
returned to his own tent in much apparent uneasiness. The caravan newly
arrived consisted of eleven men, with eight camels and three Saaran
horses. The men were all Arabs, none of them being slaves. They were
well-armed, and carried no merchandise. They had lately come from the
north-west, for what purpose Golah knew not, since the account the
stranger sheik had given of himself was not satisfactory.

Though very short of provisions, Golah resolved not to leave the well
that day; and the Krooman learnt that this resolution was caused by his
fear of the strangers.

"If he is afraid of them," said Harry, "I should suppose that would make
him all the more anxious to get out of their company."

The Krooman, in explanation, stated that if the Arabs were robbers,
pirates of the desert, they would not molest Golah so long as he
remained at the well.

In this the Krooman was correct. Highway robbers do not way-lay their
victims at an inn, but on the road. Pirates do not plunder ships in a
harbour, but out on the open ocean. Custom, founded on some good
purpose, has established a similar rule on the great sandy ocean of the
Saara.

"I wish they were robbers, and would take us from Golah!" said Colin.
"We should then perhaps be carried to the north, where we might be
ransomed some time or other. As it is, if we are to be taken to
Timbuctoo, we shall never escape out of Africa."

"We shall not be taken there," cried Terence. "We shall turn robbers
ourselves first. I will for one; and when I do, Golah shall be robbed
of one of his slaves at least."

"An' that wan will be Misther Terence O'Connor, av coorse?" said Bill.

"Yes."