tead of attacking him, many of them demanded
that he should be set free and allowed to do as he wished. Indeed, by
his good-humour, and readiness to help any one who wanted assistance, he
had become a general favourite in the camp. The marabouts, however,
suspecting, from his tone of voice, that he was not very complimentary
to them or their religion, answered that he must be left to share our
fate. They were also greatly enraged against Selim, and decided that he
(in consequence of his perversion from the true faith) and Boxall (as
the eldest of the party) should be the first to suffer.

In the meantime, preparations were being made for our punishment; spades
had been brought, and two holes dug in the sand about six feet apart.

While we lay bound on the ground, the marabouts again came forward, and
asked Boxall if he would turn Mohammedan; reminding him that he would be
the cause of our death, and that of the young black, if he refused, as
we should all undoubtedly follow. It was very clear that they would
rather make converts of us than put us to death.

"No, my friends," answered Boxall calmly. "In our country each man is
allowed to believe as he thinks best; and I tell you that I cannot
believe as you do."

"Then take the consequences of your obstinate unbelief," answered the
marabout, making a sign to the people surrounding us.

They instantly seized Boxall and Selim, and dragged them to the holes,
into which they thrust them,--one facing the other, and with their arms
bound tightly down by their sides,--till their heads alone were visible
above ground. The sand was then shovelled in till their bodies were
entirely buried; after which a bowl of water and two pieces of
well-cooked meat, emitting a pleasant odour, were placed between them,
at such a distance that they could not possibly be reached.

The Arabs had begun to dig two more holes, when we observed some
disturbance among them. Presently the sheikh hurried to the top of a
neighbouring mound, while all eyes were turned northward across the
Desert. Leaving Boxall and Selim in their fearful position, and
entirely disregarding us, those possessing firearms began to look to the
priming, and all appeared to be getting their weapons ready for use,
when, even as we lay on the ground, the heads of men in a long line came
into view above our limited horizon. Then we could distinguish camels--
of which there seemed to be a hundred or more--advancing rapi