down on
the sand, fearing that after all he might be an enemy. I reloaded my
weapon, therefore, and leaned back against the tree, with the scimitar I
had taken from Antonio in my hand, determined to defend myself to the
last.

The person approached rapidly, stopping every now and then to look about
him--surprised, apparently, at not seeing any one. As he came nearer,
to my great joy I saw that it was no other than the faithful Selim. He
bounded forward as he caught sight of me, uttering exclamations of joy;
but his joy was turned to sorrow at finding me in the painful condition
to which I had been reduced.

"But still I have reason to be thankful that you are alive," he said.
"Soon after you had gone, what was my dismay to catch sight of Antonio's
shadowy form in the distance. He had apparently been watching the camp,
and must have seen you leave it; but I suspect he was waiting to
ascertain whether any person would follow you. Had I had the carbine in
my hand, I might have been tempted to fire at him; but I should thus
have awakened the guides, and your flight would have been discovered. I
went up, as it was, to the sleeping men, to try and get one of their
carbines, but found that I could not do so without arousing them; and
when I looked again, the mysterious figure had disappeared. I trembled
for your safety, but notwithstanding my anxiety I had to wait till the
time agreed on. Then, arousing the guides, I told them that I thought
you had escaped; and while they were rubbing their eyes, and trying to
understand what I had said, I got hold of one of their weapons, with a
bag of ammunition, and shouting out that I would quickly overtake you,
rushed forth from the camp. `Take care of the camels, or they will
escape,' I exclaimed as I dashed forward. They, believing that I should
soon be back, did not follow, and I was soon out of their sight.

"I was hurrying on, when I fell over the dead body of Antonio. My mind
was greatly relieved, for I was satisfied that, instead of his killing
you, you had killed him; and with revived spirits I pushed on till I
reached the sand-hill and heard the report of your pistol. We have,
however, no time to lose, for when the guides find that I do not return,
they are very likely to come in pursuit of us."

I told Selim how unable I was to walk.

"I see that," he said; "but I must carry you till we get to water."

"But you have not strength enough," I said.

"Try me,"