"But they have taken refuge with us. They have eaten our salt, O chief.
We cannot yield them up. Take presents from us instead."

"You are young, and therefore foolish," replied Mushad, staring Haviland
in the eye with haughty contempt. "My slaves must be given up. I have
said it."

"And if we refuse?"

"Look yonder. Have you as many fighters as these?"

"Not quite as many. But we are well armed, and, fighting in a good
cause, we fear no man."

For a few moments neither party addressed the other. Meanwhile the
doctor said hurriedly in English:

"What do you think, Haviland? Is it worth while risking all the
expedition, and throwing away the fruits of these two years--and all
their gain to science, mind--for the sake of a few miserable niggers?
If we send them back, they'll only make slaves of them, and indeed
that's all they're fit for."

"Let's see." And, turning to the chief, he resumed: "If we send back
those who have sought refuge with us, will the chief solemnly promise
that they shall not be harmed--that beyond the labour required of them
they shall not be killed, or tortured, or ill-treated?"

A low growling chuckle escaped the Arab's deep chest, and his eyes
flashed in haughty contempt.

"_La Illah il Allah_!" he blazed forth. "I will promise this much.
They shall groan beneath heavy loads, and shall eat stick in plenty.
But first, six of them shall hang by the heels till they are dead, with
their eyes scooped out, and a live coal inserted in each socket.
Further I promise--that this last shall be the fate of every one in your
camp who shall fall into our hands alive, if you hesitate further to
send back my slaves. On the holy _Kaba_ I swear it. Now, make your
choice. Will you return them, or will you not?"

Haviland looked at Ahern, who nodded his head.

"That settles it," he said in a cold, decisive tone, turning again to
the slaver chief. "Big words, big threats do not frighten us. We send
not back to you these people who have sought our protection, to be put
to your devilish tortures."

For a moment, the two parties stood staring at each other in silence.
Then Mushad and his followers withdrew, feeing the others for a little
distance, after which they turned, and stalked back to their awaiting
forces, the green banner with its sinister symbol seeming to wave
defiance and menace as it receded.

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.

BATTLE.

On regaining the shelter Haviland at once ma