hen allowed to lie down inside one of the
tents, already crowded with Arabs and blacks. Some sheep-skins were
thrown to us for coverings; and though we did not require them for
warmth--the heat was almost insupportable--they were a slight protection
from the attacks of the mosquitoes which swarmed around us, and for long
hours, it seemed, prevented us from falling asleep, weary as we were.

The next morning we were aroused at daybreak by several kicks from the
foot of an Arab, who ordered us to go down to the shore and collect
shell-fish--furnishing us with a basket for the purpose. Our taskmaster
followed us, to see that we laboured diligently; and I observed that he
and the other Arabs took great care not to wet their feet in the salt
water. Believing that they would thus become defiled, when they were
compelled to do so they invariably washed them afterwards in fresh
water.

While we were thus employed in the grey dawn, the sheikh issued from his
tent, and mounting the summit of the nearest sand-hill, shouted,--"Allah
akbar!" (God is great!) At this summons the whole male population of
the camp assembled in lines behind him, turning their faces eastward in
the direction of Mecca; and as the sun rose above the horizon, they
knelt down, and throwing sand over their bodies, bowed their heads to
the ground, while they offered up their prayers, repeating,--"There is
one God, and Mohammed is his prophet." The women at the same time came
to the front of their tents, where they performed a similar ceremony.

We stood at a distance, struck by the solemnity of the scene.

"Well, after all, these appear to be decent fellows," observed Ben. "I
only hope they will treat us in a proper manner."

But alas for Ben's good opinion of them! No sooner were their prayers
over than the Arabs, with kicks and cuffs, set the slaves to work; while
we had to return to the sea-shore to collect more shell-fish. We were
thus employed for the greater part of the day, and could with difficulty
obtain a little porridge, or get leave to cook our shell-fish at any of
the fires.

Several days passed in a similar manner. We frequently met Antonio,--as
I will still call him, though he had another name among the Arabs,--and
he never failed to cast a look of anger at us, as if he supposed we had
been the cause of his captivity. At length, every root and blade of
grass in the neighbourhood being consumed, the sheikh gave the order to
prepar