simply
for the profit it produced.

On the other hand, the black competitor had a different, though somewhat
similar, purpose in view. His thoughts extended towards the south.
There lay the emporium of his commerce, the great mud-built town of
Timbuctoo. Little as a white man was esteemed among the Arab merchants
when considered as a mere slave, the sable sheik knew that in the south
of the Saara he would command a price, if only as a curiosity to figure
among the followers of the sultan of some grand interior city. For this
reason, therefore, was the black determined upon the possession of Bill,
and showed as much eagerness to become his owner as did his tawny
competitor.

After several minutes spent in words and gestures of mutual menace,
which, from the wild shouts and flourishing of scimitars, seemed as if
it could only end in a general lopping off of heads, somewhat to the
astonishment of the sailor tranquillity became restored without any one
receiving scratch or cut.

The scimitars were returned to their scabbards; and although the affair
did not appear to be decided, the contest was now carried on in a more
pacific fashion by words. A long argument ensued, in which both sheik
displayed their oratorial powers. Though the sailor could not
understand a word of what was said, he could tell that the little Arab
was urging his ownership, on the plea that the camel which had carried
the captive into the encampment was his property, and on this account
was he entitled to the "waif."

The black seemed altogether to dissent from this doctrine; on his side
pointing to the two heaps of plunder; as much as to say that his share
of the spoils, already obtained, was the smaller one.

At this crisis a third party stepped between the two disputants, a young
fellow, who appeared to have some authority with both. His behaviour
told Bill that he was acting as mediator. Whatever was the proposal
made by him, it appeared to satisfy both parties, as both at once
desisted from their wordy warfare, at the same time that they seemed
preparing to settle the dispute in some other way.

The mode was soon made apparent. A spot of smooth even sand was
selected by the side of the encampment, to which the two sheiks,
followed by their respective parties, repaired.

A square figure was traced out, inside of which several rows of little
round holes were scooped in the sand, and then the rival sheiks sat
down, one on each side of