and, convinced by the Krooman's
arguments that there was still danger to be apprehended from Golah's
vengeance, he directed that the _douar_ should be strictly guarded, and
that the white slaves might take part in the duty.

"You shall be taken north and sold to your countrymen," promised he, "if
you give us no trouble in the transit. There are but few of my people
left now, and it is hard for us to travel all day and keep watch all
night. If you are really afraid of falling into the hands of this
Prophet-accursed negro, and will help us in guarding against his
murderous attacks, you are welcome to do so; but if any one of you
attempt to play traitor, the whole four of you shall lose your heads. I
swear it by the beard of the Prophet!"

The Krooman assured him that none of the white slaves had any desire to
deceive him, adding, that self-interest, if nothing else, would cause
them to be true to those who would take them to a place where they would
have a chance of being ransomed out of slavery.

Darkness having by this time descended over the desert, the sheik set
about appointing the guard for the night. He was too suspicious of his
white slaves to allow all the four of them to act as guards at the same
time, while he and his companions were asleep. He was willing, however,
that one of them should be allowed to keep watch in company with one of
his own followers.

In choosing the individual for this duty, he inquired from the Krooman
which of the four had been most ill-used by the black sheik. Sailor
Bill was pointed out as the man; and the interpreter gave some details
of the cruel treatment to which the old man-o'-war's-man had been
subjected at the hands of Golah.

"Bismillah! that is well," said the sheik. "Let him keep the watch.
After what you say, revenge should hinder him closing his eyes in sleep
for a whole moon. There's no fear that he will betray us."

CHAPTER FIFTY NINE.

GOLAH CALLS AGAIN.

In setting the watch for the night, one of the sentinels was stationed
on the shore about a hundred yards north of the _douar_. His
instructions were to walk a round of about two hundred paces, extending
inward from the beach.

Another was placed about the same distance south of the camp, and was to
pace backwards and forwards after a similar fashion.

Sailor Bill was stationed on the land side of the camp, where he was to
move to and fro between the beats of the two Arab guards, each of whom,