the individual who makes the capture. For this reason,
had the cunning sexagenarian kept his thoughts to himself, and fallen
_solus_ into the rear of the returning horde.

It might be supposed that he would have made some of his following privy
to his plan,--for the sake of having help to effect such a wholesale
capture. But no. His experience as a "Barbary wrecker" had taught him
that there would be no danger,--no likelihood of resistance,--even
though the castaways numbered thirty instead of three.

Armed with this confidence, and his long gun, he had returned down the
ravine; and laid in wait near its mouth,--at a point where he commanded
a view of the coast line, to the distance of more than a mile on each
side of him.

His vigil was soon rewarded: by seeing the three individuals for whom it
had been kept step forth from the sea,--as if emerging from its
profoundest depths,--and stand conspicuously upon the beach.

He had waited for nothing more; but, giving the word to his maherry, had
ridden out of the ravine, and was now advancing with all speed upon the
tracks of the retreating mids.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

A QUEER ENCOUNTER.

In about threescore seconds from the time he was first seen pursuing
them, the old sheik was up to the spot where our adventurers had awaited
him.

His first salute appeared to be some words of menace or
command,--rendered more emphatic by a series of gestures made with his
long gun; which was successively pointed at the heads of the three. Of
course, none of them understood what was said; but his gesticulations
made it clear enough, that he required their company to the Arab
encampment.

Their first impulse was to yield obedience to this command; and Terence
had given a sign of assent, which was acquiesced in by Colin. Not so
Master Blount, in whom the British bulldog had become aroused even to
the showing of his teeth.

"See him hanged first!" cried Harry. "What! yield up to an old monkey
like that, and walk tamely to the camp at the tail of his camel? No such
thing! If I am to become a prisoner, it will be to one who can take me."

Terence, rather ashamed at having shown such facile submission, now
rushed to the opposite extreme; and drawing his dirk, cried out,--

"By Saint Patrick! I'm with you, Harry! Let's die, rather than yield
ourselves prisoners to such a queer old curmudgeon!"

Colin, before declaring himself, glanced sharply around,--carrying his
eye towards t