y," I answered,
trying to look as important as I could.

"O Nazarene, you speak big words," exclaimed the sheikh. "But
understand that your countrymen, however large their ships, will find it
a hard matter to follow you into the Desert, should we think fit to
carry you there."

"True, O sheikh; your wisdom approaches that of Solomon," I answered,
trying to imitate the Arabic style of language. "But you will then lose
the reward you would have obtained by restoring us safe to our friends.
The few articles we carry about us, seeing that we could save nothing
from the wreck, are not worthy of your acceptance. May I now inquire
what powerful prince of the Desert I have the honour of addressing?"

The sheikh appeared somewhat pleased at this speech; but he did not
relax the sternness of his features while he answered--

"Know, O Nazarene, that you are in the presence of the Sheikh Boo Bucker
Saakhi, chief of the Ouadlims," was the answer.

Though the sheikh did not appear a man likely to be won over by soft
speeches, I determined to persevere. Unslinging my telescope, I held it
out to him.

"Here is an instrument which will enable a person who looks through it
to see ten times as far as he can with his naked eye. I will present it
to you, and show you how to use it, the day a ship appears in sight, and
you enable us to get on board her."

I thought the sheikh was going to laugh; but he only grinned
sarcastically as he replied--

"Know, O Nazarene, that I can at any moment take it from you, as well as
everything else you carry, and strip you to the skin; so I value not
your promise as you think I should."

"But, O Sheikh Boo Bucker Saakhi, we wish you to understand that our
countrymen will reward you handsomely with numerous articles such as
your soul desires, if you treat us with that hospitality for which you
princes of the Desert are famed throughout the world."

"That may be true; but a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush,"
answered the sheikh. At least, he made use of an Arab proverb of a
similar tenor. "However, I will consider the matter. In the meantime,
I will receive you and the other Nazarene as guests in my tent, where
you will be pleased to exhibit the various articles you possess."

Of course, I said that we should be delighted, though I suspected what
would be the result of exhibiting our property.

"And who is yonder white man, who seems so greatly inclined to knock
over my followe