the money back to him; but The Sheik would not listen to
Baynes' plan to send a messenger directly to the nearest coast town,
and from there communicate with the nearest cable state, sending the
Hon. Morison's request for funds straight to his own solicitors. No,
The Sheik was cautious and wary. He knew his own plan had worked well
in the past. In the other were too many untried elements. He was in
no hurry for the money--he could wait a year, or two years if
necessary; but it should not require over six months. He turned to one
of the Arabs who had been standing behind him and gave the fellow
instructions in relation to the prisoner.

Baynes could not understand the words, spoken in Arabic, but the jerk
of the thumb toward him showed that he was the subject of conversation.
The Arab addressed by The Sheik bowed to his master and beckoned Baynes
to follow him. The Englishman looked toward The Sheik for
confirmation. The latter nodded impatiently, and the Hon. Morison rose
and followed his guide toward a native hut which lay close beside one
of the outside goatskin tents. In the dark, stifling interior his
guard led him, then stepped to the doorway and called to a couple of
black boys squatting before their own huts. They came promptly and in
accordance with the Arab's instructions bound Baynes' wrists and ankles
securely. The Englishman objected strenuously; but as neither the
blacks nor the Arab could understand a word he said his pleas were
wasted. Having bound him they left the hut. The Hon. Morison lay for
a long time contemplating the frightful future which awaited him during
the long months which must intervene before his friends learned of his
predicament and could get succor to him. Now he hoped that they would
send the ransom--he would gladly pay all that he was worth to be out of
this hole. At first it had been his intention to cable his solicitors
to send no money but to communicate with the British West African
authorities and have an expedition sent to his aid.

His patrician nose wrinkled in disgust as his nostrils were assailed by
the awful stench of the hut. The nasty grasses upon which he lay
exuded the effluvium of sweaty bodies, of decayed animal matter and of
offal. But worse was yet to come. He had lain in the uncomfortable
position in which they had thrown him but for a few minutes when he
became distinctly conscious of an acute itching sensation upon his
hands, his neck and scalp