e us a line of low dark tents,
pitched on the side of a sand-hill just above the sea-shore, with camels
and other animals standing near them, as if ready to receive their
loads, in case an immediate start should be necessary. The light of day
also revealed to us the hideous and savage countenances of our captors--
their skins almost black, and in features, many of them, closely
resembling negroes; though, from the dress of their chief, and their
camels and tents, I should have supposed them to be Arabs. They had but
scant clothing, in addition to the belts hanging over their shoulders,
and to which their daggers were attached. Their other arms were short
swords and spears.

Our arrival at the camp was announced by loud shouts from the people
assembled in front of it; on which a number of other men, with women and
children, came rushing out of the tents. Their chief, before whom we
were brought, was a tall man, of rather lighter complexion than the
rest, but with countenance not less hideous and sinister than those of
his remarkably unprepossessing followers. He inquired, in a sort of
mongrel Arabic,--which, however, I could partly understand,--who we
were, whence we had come, and how we had been found. To the latter
question alone, his people could give a reply. I heard him remark that
there must have been a shipwreck on the coast not far off, and that we
were some of the people who had escaped from it. The others agreeing
that he was right, a consultation was then held as to the direction in
which it had occurred. Thinking it was time to speak, I now stepped
forward, and making a profound salaam--for I felt that it was wise to be
polite to the savages--I said, in as good Arabic as I could command--

"Know, sheikh, that the ship on board which we were voyaging was
consumed by fire; but the great Allah whom we worship allowed us to
escape, and conducted us to your shores on a raft,--which, as a proof
that I speak the truth, will be found a day's journey to the north."

The astonishment of the black Arabs, on hearing me speak in their own
language, was very great.

"Who are you, and how is it that you can speak in our tongue?" asked the
sheikh.

"It is the custom of my people to learn the tongues of the nations they
are likely to visit, as they voyage to all the lands under the sun; and
before long we hope that our countrymen will come here to take us off,
and reward those who have treated us with hospitalit