apparently in a bargain being struck
for the purchase of the whole party of slaves, their price consisting of
bales of cloth, coils of wire, beads, and other articles, which were at
once landed; and this being done, the slaves were shipped on board the
dhows. Ned almost hoped that he might be sent with them, as he thought
that he might thus have a better opportunity of making his escape than
he could expect to find should he be detained by his captors. He was
greatly disappointed, therefore, on finding that he was still kept a
prisoner. He looked seaward with a longing gaze, thinking it possible
that either the ship or the boats might appear in search of the dhows;
but not seeing them, he guessed that the cunning Arabs had taken the
opportunity of shipping the slaves while they remained off the mouth of
the river. Several other Arabs had joined their party, which now
consisted of thirty well-armed men, besides nearly one hundred pagazis,
or carriers, hired from the neighbouring villages to convey the goods
into the interior. Among them was a finely-dressed individual wearing
on his head a large turban, and round his waist a rich scarf, into which
were stuck a dagger and a brace of silver-mounted pistols. He appeared
to take the lead, and Ned discovered that he was called
Mohammed-ibn-Nassib. He had not long joined the party when his eye fell
on Ned. Pointing towards him he inquired who the young stranger was.
The answer he received appeared to satisfy him, and he turned away
without making any further remark. The party being marshalled the march
began, the Arabs keeping a strict watch on the blacks carrying their
goods.

At nightfall they halted near the banks of a stream which evidently fell
into the main river. As Ned observed its course, the thought occurred
to him that if he could find a canoe, or for want of one a log of
timber, he might float down with the current and reach the boats, which
he felt sure would be sent to look for him. To do this, however, he
must first elude his guards, who were, he found to his satisfaction,
less watchful than at first, being apparently satisfied that he would
not attempt to escape.

It was terribly trying work to be alone, without any one to speak to who
understood a word he said. Several fires were lighted in the camp,
which served both for cooking provisions and scaring away the wild
beasts. Ned was allowed to sit near one, round which Mohammed and the
other Ara