g this encampment, they were challenged by a Bedouin sentinel,
but the chief, stepping forward and explaining, the whole group were of
course readily admitted.

The black and white camel-hair tents dotted the plain to a considerable
distance, and numerous horses and camels were picketed round.

One of the principal Arabs having conferred with Kara-al-Zariel, he
went back to his English guests, saying--

"Christian friends, I will now show you what will cheer your hearts
even more than the flesh of lambs, or odour of pure bread. Behold!"

And throwing back the curtains of the tent, he exposed Jack Harkaway,
attired as a Turk, peacefully sleeping upon a rude couch.

The astonishment and relief of mind experienced by our friends at this
discovery cannot be described.

Their joy at finding Jack safe was equal to their wonder how he had
escaped.

But what words will denote the ecstasy of Thyra?

With a cry of delight, she ran towards him, and kneeling beside his
couch, poured forth thanksgivings to Heaven for his deliverance.

This caused some jealousy to the noble chief, who now began to perceive
how passionately the "Pearl of the Isles," as he called the beautiful
Greek, was enamoured of the youthful Briton.

"Stay," he said, as Thyra passionately impressed her lips on the brow
of the sleeping youth. "Stay, or you will wake him. The Christian
sleeps the slumber of the weary; disturb him not, and his waking will
be all the more joyous."

"Thou sayest right," answered Thyra. "If he is happy, sleeping or
waking, 'tis not for me to intrude upon his happiness. But I will sit
here and watch his slumbers, that I may be the first to greet him when
he wakes."

"You mustn't do any thing of the kind, miss!" interposed the waiter.
"Girls can't live upon love, though you seem inclined to try at it, and
as we've got a nice supper awaiting us at that tent, Mr. Girdwood
insists upon your coming to join us."

With some difficulty Thyra was induced to assent, and again left the
object of her idolatry sleeping in blissful unconsciousness of her
presence.

A short time, however, only elapsed before, either awakened by some
outward sound or disturbed by some dream, young Jack started up, much
confused and puzzled to find himself in this strange place.

Then he remembered the events of the day.

"Halloa! what's that?"

Could he believe his eyes, or was it possible that, beyond the group of
Bedouins sitting feasting around