by cutting the grain in a careless
manner, letting the heads fall in every direction, and then trampling
them under foot as he moved on.

The same plan was pursued by his brother Bill, the Krooman, and Harry
Blount.

In the first attempt to use the sickle Terence was so awkward as to fall
forward and break the implement into two pieces.

Colin behaved no better: since he managed to cut one of his fingers, and
then apparently fainted away at the sight of the blood.

The forenoon was passed by the Arabs in trying to train their slaves to
the work, but in this they were sadly unsuccessful.

Curses, threats, and blows were expended upon them to no purpose, for
the Christian dogs seemed only capable of doing much harm and no good.
During the afternoon they were allowed to lie idle upon the ground, and
watch their masters cutting the barley; although this indulgence was
purchased at the expense of lacerated skins and aching bones. Nor was
this triumph without the cost of further suffering; for they were not
allowed a mouthful of food or a drop of water, although an abundance of
both had been distributed to the other labourers in the field.

All five, however, remained obstinate, notwithstanding hunger and
thirst, threats, cursings, and stripes; each one disdaining to be the
first to yield to the wishes of their Arab masters.

CHAPTER SIXTY EIGHT.

WORK OR DIE!

That night, after being driven within the walls of the town, the white
slaves, along with their guard, and the Krooman, were fastened in a
large stone building partly in ruins, that had been recently used as a
goat-penn.

They were not allowed a mouthful of food nor a drop of water, and
sentinels walked around all night to prevent them from breaking out of
their prison.

No longer targets for the beams of a blazing sun, they were partly
relieved from their sufferings; but a few handfuls of barley they had
managed to secrete and bring in from the field, proved only sufficient
to sharpen an appetite which they could devise no means of appeasing.

A raging thirst prevented them from having any repose; and, on being
turned out next morning, and ordered back to the barley-fields, weak
with hunger and want of sleep, they were strongly tempted to yield
obedience to their masters.

The black slaves had worked well the day before; and, having satisfied
their masters, had received plenty of food and drink.

Their white companions in misery saw them eating