fe with the gigantic black sheik,
he would not have the slightest chance of being victor.

Should he shout to his companions, and have them all act in concert, as
they had already proposed?

No. Such an act would most likely lead to two of them being shot, to
the third having his brains knocked out with the butt-end of a musket;
and to the fourth, himself, being strangled in the powerful grasp of
Golah, if not beheaded with the scimitar in the hands of Fatima. On
reflection, the young Scotchman yielded, and permitted his hands to be
tied behind his back! so, too, did the Krooman.

Golah now stepped out of the tent, and immediately after returned,
leading Harry Blount along with him.

On reaching the opening, and seeing Terence and the Krooman lying bound
upon the floor, the young Englishman started back, and struggled to free
himself from the grasp of the hand that had hold of him. His efforts
only resulted in his being instantly flung to the earth, and fast held
by his powerful adversary, who at the same time was also employed in
protecting his victim from the fury of Fatima.

Terence, Harry, and the Krooman were now conducted back over the ground,
and placed in their former position in the row, from which they had been
temporarily taken.

Sailor Bill and Colin were next treated in a similar fashion, both being
fast bound like their companions.

"What does the ould divil mane?" asked Bill, when Golah was tying his
hands together. "Will he murder us all?"

"No," answered the Krooman. "He no kill but one of your party."

His eyes turned upon Colin as he spoke.

"Colin! Colin!" exclaimed Harry; "see what you have done by opposing
our plan! We are all helpless now."

"And so much the better for yourself," answered Colin. "You will now
suffer no further harm."

"If he means no harm, why has he bound us?" asked Bill. "It's a queer
way of showing friendship."

"Yes, but a safe one," answered Colin. "You cannot now bring yourselves
into danger by a foolish resistance to his will."

Terence and Harry understood Colin's meaning; and now, for the first
time, comprehended the reason why they had been bound.

It was to prevent them from interfering with Golah's plans for the
disposal of his two victims.

Now that the white slaves were secured, no danger was apprehended from
the others; and the two who had been guarding them retired to the shade
of a tent to refresh themselves with a drink of cheni.