ng so
singularly repulsive in his countenance, that I could not believe he was
sincere.

He told us at last that we were approaching his country. "Now will be
the time for you to make your escape," he said in a confidential tone.
"You are weary of this life, I am sure; and if you will fly with me, you
will be welcomed by my people, and be treated as great chiefs: besides
which, as they have constant communication with the coast, you will
without difficulty be able to return to your own country."

He was one day speaking in this way, when Selim, who was near, overheard
him, but pretended to take no notice. The lad, however, watched for an
opportunity when I was alone, and warned me not to trust the black, "He
hates you and your friends, and has resolved on your destruction," he
whispered to me. "I overheard him, when he did not know I was near,
speaking to Abdalah, and it is clear that his intention is to betray
you. Now, we will try to be even with him; the sheikh already mistrusts
him, for he has been the cause of much trouble in the camp, about which
I will tell you by-and-by. Do you therefore pretend to agree to his
plans, and tell him that he must steal out first to a certain place
beyond the camp, and that you will join him. I will then take care to
let the sheikh know that he has gone, and that you have no intention of
deserting, and will advise that men should be sent to seize him. If he
is caught, it will prove that what I have said is true; and if he
escapes, he will be afraid to return, and we shall be quit of him."

"But we should thus be acting a very treacherous part, to which I can on
no account consent," I answered.

"You must leave that to me," replied Selim. "All you have to do is to
listen to his plans: and depend upon it, if you do not, as I advise,
pretend to agree with them, he will find some other means to betray
you."

Notwithstanding what Selim had said, I, of course, could not consent to
do as he proposed. However, I found he was not to be defeated. He
managed to insinuate himself into the confidence of Antonio, and
persuaded him that it would be imprudent to be seen conversing with me,
but that he himself would act as go-between; and he was thus able to
manage matters according to his own fancy. Had I known at the time how
Selim was acting, I should have felt it my duty to put a stop to his
proceedings, although they were intended for our benefit.

The very next night there wa