with us, to show the excellence of their religion.

"Look you here, my friends," answered Ben, after listening with perfect
gravity for some time, when one evening he and I, with the rest of our
party, were seated on the ground at our supper, and two of these
so-called holy men came up to us. "If it's a good thing for a man to
have a dozen--or even fifty--wives, to cut throats, to steal, and commit
all sorts of rogueries, then your religion may be a good one; but if
not, why, do ye see--begging your pardons, no offence being intended--to
my mind it was invented by the devil, and your Prophet, as you call him,
was as big a rogue as ever lived.--Just tell them, Mr Blore, what I
say; for I never can make these marabout chaps understand my lingo."

Knowing that Ben's remarks would not be favourably received, I confess
that I did not translate them literally, but replied: "My brother
listens with all respect to the wisdom which has proceeded from your
mouths. We all acknowledge Allah, and look to him for everything we
possess; but we have been taught to put faith in another Prophet, whom
we believe to be greater than any human being, and therefore we cannot
deny Him by acknowledging any other."

"Mohammed was superior to all other prophets!" exclaimed the marabouts.
"Those who do not believe this are worthy of death and eternal
damnation."

"It is just on that point we differ, my friends," I answered with
perfect calmness. "You believe one thing, we believe another. In the
end we shall know which is right. In the meantime, why should we
wrangle and dispute? or why should you grow angry with us because we do
not agree with you?"

"The more we love you, the more anxious we are for your conversion,"
answered the marabouts.

"You take a curious way of showing it," I could not help observing,
causing thereby something like a smile on the grave countenances of the
priests--who did not, however, again attempt a theological discussion
with us. Ben managed to make his opinions known, though, and received
very severe treatment in consequence. The sheikh no longer continued to
protect him any more than he did us; and when the tribe moved forward,
he was compelled to trudge on foot, separated from his camel--which on
such occasions was bestrode by his master.

Many a weary day's march we had to make. Sometimes, however, we
remained for several weeks together at an oasis, where wells would be
found, and herbage for the be