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