ks where to find.

We at length reached a somewhat more fertile region, where date,
cocoa-nut, and other palm-trees were once more seen; while beyond it was
a large lake, on the borders of which we heard was the shrine of a
Mohammedan saint, at which the people of the caravan were about to
worship. Out of the lake, we learned, ran a broad river to the
westward; a fact which created in us the most lively interest, for it
might afford us the long-looked-for means of making our escape.

As we neared the sacred precincts, the marabouts again endeavoured to
make us change our religion. On our refusing, as formerly, to do so,
they became very angry, even the sheikh himself appearing to be much
disappointed. While we lay encamped, a day's journey, I understood,
from the shrine,--which was to the eastward of us,--he sent for me, and
expressing his confidence in my fidelity, informed me that he intended
to trust to my care the widow and children of a friendly chief, who had
died while visiting the tomb of the saint. "Her relatives, to whom she
desires to return, dwell about twelve days' journey off; and you will
return before we again set forth on our journey northward. I will send
two guides with you who know the country; but as our camels require
rest, you will be compelled to proceed on foot. The widow and her
children will, however, be provided with a camel; and the guides will
conduct another laden with provisions and water. Here," he said, giving
me an old-fashioned, large-mouthed pistol, "is a weapon with which you
can defend yourself and your charges; and here, also, is a pouch with
ammunition. You will set out to-morrow morning; and may no harm befall
you on the way!"

I hardly knew whether to be pleased or not at the confidence placed in
me. Halliday and I had been hoping that while at this spot we might
find an opportunity of escaping down the river, as we had proposed,--and
should I be separated from him and Ben, our plan might be defeated. So
as soon as I had left the sheikh I went in search of them, and told them
of the expedition I had been ordered to make.

"I am afraid you will have to await my return before we can venture to
carry out our plan."

"I don't quite see that, sir," said Ben. "You are going to the west;
and that is, I suppose, the direction the river takes. Now my idea is,
that if we can make off while the Arabs are praying to their saint, we
can meet you half-way on your return; and