proposal did not fail to give me considerable
uneasiness. He perceived it, and told me, that he would make me repent
not having accepted his offer. I attributed this threatening to his
desire of possessing me; but I found, in the sequel, he was as good as
his word.

After three days rest among the Arabs of the tribe of _Roussye_, we
resumed our journey, in order to get home to the families of our
conductors as quickly as possible; though it was not till after sixteen
days, in which we endured much fatigue and distress, that we arrived,
extenuated and reduced to skin and bone.

At break of day, we discovered a hamlet that seemed to promise a very
pleasant dwelling. Several tents pitched among thick bushy trees,
numberless flocks feeding along the sides of the hills, made us conceive
it to be an asylum of happiness and peace; but upon closer inspection,
the appearance of it was much altered. The trees, whose beautiful green
foliage we had admired, proved to be nothing more than old gummy stumps,
with their few branches, entwisted with thorns; so that their
inaccessible shade spread out on every side. They very soon after
observed us upon the declivity of a little hill, which led us to the
dwelling of our masters.

Several black slaves, who had commonly the charge of the camels, came
out to meet their masters, to kiss their feet, and inquire the news of
their health. At a greater distance, the children made the air resound
with their cries of joy, and their wives stood erect, as a mark of
respect, at their tent-doors, waiting their arrival. As soon as they
approached, they advanced with a submissive air, put their right hand
upon the head of their husband; then, having kissed them, fell down
prostrate before them. This ceremony over, they regarded us first with a
look of curiosity, and then proceeded to abuse us. Not content with
that, they spat in our face, and threw stones at us. The children,
following their example, pinched us, tore our hair, and scratched us
with their nails. Their cruel mothers called out first to one, and then
to another, encouraging them, amusing themselves by causing them to
torment us. Unhappy as we were, exhausted with fatigue, hunger, and
thirst, we looked with impatience towards the hour of our arrival,
little expecting the fresh trials which awaited us.

Meantime, our masters made a division of their slaves. When mine had
received the caresses of all his family, I inquired of him, which o