d redeem them all;
but that, should his uncle not be in Swearah at the time they should
arrive there, it would make no difference, as they would certainly be
ransomed by the English Consul. "Tell them," added Harry, "that if they
will take us to Swearah, and we are not ransomed as I promised, they
shall be welcome to take my life. I will then willingly die. Tell them
not to sell us until they have proved my words false; and not to injure
themselves and us by trusting too much to the words of another."

To this communication the merchants made reply:--That they had been told
that slaves brought from the desert into the Empire of Morocco could,
and sometimes did, claim the protection of the government, which set
them free without paying anything; and those who were at the expense of
bringing them obtained nothing for their trouble.

One of the merchants, whose name was Bo Musem, seemed inclined to listen
with some favor to the representations of Harry; but he was overruled by
the other two, so that all his assertions about the wealth of his
parents at home, and the immense worth he and his comrades were to this
country, as officers in its navy, failed to convince his masters that
they would be redeemed.

The merchants at length went away, leaving Harry and Colin in an agony
of despair; while Sailor Bill and the Krooman seemed wholly indifferent
as to their future fate. The prospect of being again taken to the
desert, seemed to have so benumbed the intellect of both, as to leave
them incapable of emotion.

Hope, fear, and energy seemed to have forsaken the old sailor, who,
usually so fond of thinking aloud, had not now sufficient spirit left,
even for the anathematizing of his enemies.

CHAPTER LXXVII.

EL HAJJI.

Late in the evening of the second night spent within the walls of the
town, two travellers knocked at the gate for admittance.

One of them gave a name which created quite a commotion in the village,
all seeming eager to receive the owner with some show of hospitality.

The merchants sat up to a late hour in company with these strangers and
the sheik of the place. Kids were caught and killed, and a savory stew
was soon served up for their guests, while, with coffee, pipes, and many
customary civilities, the time slipped quickly by.

Notwithstanding this, they were astir upon the following morning before
daybreak, busied in making preparations for their journey.

The slaves, on being allowed s