back to the shore, when he was felled to the ground by a blow from
behind. He retained sufficient consciousness, however, to be aware that
he had been picked up and was being dragged along rapidly in the midst
of a crowd of blacks. He could hear at first the shouts of his
shipmates, but they gradually became less and less distinct. He felt
that he was being carried forward further and further from the river,
sometimes completely lifted off his feet. He could not, fortunately for
himself, collect his scattered senses sufficiently to consider what
would probably be his fate. His first idea, when he recovered from the
blow, was the desire to try and escape, but he had neither the strength
nor opportunity to get away. When he opened his eyes he saw a number of
black faces scowling round him, and several well-dressed Arabs a little
distance off, while on every side were other negroes being driven in
like a flock of terrified sheep to a common centre. Presently a much
larger party of Arabs than those who had formed the crew of the dhow
made their appearance, and were welcomed with shouts of satisfaction.

The whole party now occupied themselves in binding the negroes, some
with ropes round their necks and others with forked sticks, a treatment
to which they appeared to submit without resistance. The blacks who
guarded Ned were apparently free men, or at all events attached to the
Arabs. They jabbered away and made signs, intimating that he was soon
to be put to death; he prepared himself therefore for what he had too
much reason to fear would be his fate. He knew that it would be useless
to ask for mercy. Had he been able to speak their tongue, he would have
told them that they would gain much more by delivering him up to his
friends; but, as his arms were kept tight, he could not even make signs
to that effect. He waited therefore, with as much calmness as he could
command, for what would next follow. Several of the slaves had in the
meantime attempted to escape, but were pursued by the Arabs and some of
the free blacks. The least active, or those who had last started, were
soon brought back; he heard, however, shots fired, and after a time the
pursuers returned dragging along those they had recovered, two of whom
were bleeding from gun-shot wounds in the shoulders. Whether any had
been killed he could not then learn, but he afterwards ascertained that
three had been shot as a warning to the rest. The slaves ha