the horse, he should
probably fall off and break his neck.

This was communicated to Rais Mourad, who had turned back in a rage to
inquire the cause of the delay. It was the Krooman who acted as
interpreter.

The Moor's anger immediately subsided on learning that one of the slaves
could speak Arabic.

"Do you and your companions wish for freedom?" asked Rais Mourad,
addressing himself to the Krooman.

"We pray for it every hour."

"Then tell that foolish man that freedom is not found here, that to
obtain it he must move on along with me."

The Krooman made the communication as desired.

"I don't want to hear any more about freedom," answered Bill; "I've
'eard enough av it. If any on 'em is goin' to give us a chance for our
liberty, let 'em do it without so many promises."

The old sailor remained obstinate.

Neither entreaties nor threats could induce him to go farther; and Rais
Mourad gave orders to his followers to halt upon the spot, saying that
he should stay there for the remainder of the night. The halt was
accordingly made, and a temporary camp established.

Although exhausted with their long, rough ride, Harry and Colin could
not sleep. The hope of liberty was glowing too brightly within their
bosoms.

This hope had not been inspired by anything that had been said or done
by Rais Mourad, for they now placed no trust in the promises of any one.

Their hopes were simply based upon the belief that they were journeying
towards Mogador, and that the Moor, their master, was an intelligent
man--a man who ought to know that he would not lose his money by taking
English subjects to a place where they would be sure of being ransomed.

CHAPTER SEVENTY NINE.

A PURSUIT.

On the first appearance of day Rais Mourad ordered the march to be
resumed, himself riding in the advance over a long ridge of sand. The
sun soon after shone forth, and on a high hill about four leagues
distant were seen the white walls of the City of Santa Cruz, or, as it
is called by the Arabs, Agadeer.

Descending from the sand-ridge, the cavalcade moved over a level plain
covered with grain crops and dotted here and there with small walled
villages, each surrounded by a plantation of vines and date-trees.

At one of the villages near the road the cavalcade made halt and was
admitted within the walls. Throwing themselves down in the shade of
some date-trees the white slaves soon fell into a sound slumber.

Three hours a