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g noise, just as snow does when trod on after being slightly melted and again hardened by the frost. I observed numerous heaps of beautiful crystallised salt, perfectly white, arranged in peculiar order and symmetry. This salt region was of considerable extent. In certain places we found that the ground had been dug up; and I heard that caravans came there for the express purpose of loading their animals with salt, to convey it to far-distant parts of the continent. Though the sheikh may have thought it beneath his dignity to express many signs of gratitude to us for the service we had rendered him, yet our condition was considerably improved, and we had less hard work than usual to perform; still, we were by no means allowed to eat the bread of idleness. As we were travelling on, when I happened to be in the rear I observed in the far distance a small black object, which, from its constantly appearing in the same direction, I could not help believing was some person following the caravan. The Arabs did not seem to have noticed any one; but my mind instantly fixed on Antonio, and I felt sure that he had some treacherous object in view. However, until I had ascertained that I was right in my conjectures, I thought it would be more prudent not to tell the Arabs, as, should he be pursued, he would in all probability make his escape or hide himself, and I should be accused of creating a false alarm, and might be ill-treated in consequence. I contented myself, therefore, with merely telling Halliday and Ben, who were of opinion that I was right; and we agreed to be on the watch, lest he should steal into the camp at night with the intention of murdering us, or watch for us should we venture outside. At all events, we were certain he was capable of any treachery, and that he would run any risk for the sake of gratifying his revenge. CHAPTER ELEVEN. CONVERSATION ON RELIGIOUS MATTERS WITH THE SHEIKH AND MARABOUTS--THE SLAVE TRACK--AT THE SHRINE OF THE SAINT--I START ON A JOURNEY--THE SHEIKH GRANTS ME A FAVOUR--AN UNPLEASANT DUTY--ATTACKED BY A WILD BEAST--ANTONIO HAUNTS OUR CAMP--ARRIVAL AT OUR DESTINATION. Day after day we continued to travel southward--further and further from home, as it seemed to us. Whenever we could meet, Halliday, Ben, and I--not trusting to the sheikh's promises, of whose fickleness we had many proofs--eagerly discussed the possibility of escaping. Ben's idea was, that if we shou
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