the caravan.

Golah's son and the other guard had noticed the old sailor's suffering
condition, and objected to his being encumbered with the child. They
pointed to Harry and Terence. But Bill was resolute in holding on to
his charge; and, cursing him for an unbelieving fool, they allowed him
to have his own way.

Not long after the mother of the child was seen to stop her camel, and
the three mids passed by her unnoticed. The old sailor hastened up as
fast as his weary limbs would allow, to receive the hoped-for reward.
But the poor fellow was doomed to a cruel disappointment.

When the woman perceived who had been entrusted with the carrying of her
child, she pronounced two or three phrases in a sharp angry tone.
Understanding them, the child dismounted from the sailor's back, and ran
with all speed towards her.

Bill's reward was a storm of invectives, accompanied by a shower of
blows with the knotted end of the halter. He strove to avoid the
punishment by increasing his speed; but the camel seemed to understand
the relative distance that should be maintained between its rider and
the sailor, so that the former might deliver, and the latter receive the
blows with the most painful effect. This position it kept until Bill
had got up to his companions; his naked shoulders bearing crimson
evidence of the woman's ability in the handling of a rope's end.

As she rode past Colin, who had again taken charge of the child, she
gave the young Scotchman a look that seemed to say, "You have betrayed
me!" and without waiting for a look in return, she passed on to join her
husband at the head of the caravan.

The black slaves appeared highly amused at the sailor's misfortunes.
The interest had aroused their expiring energies; and the journey was
pursued by them with more animation than before.

Bill's disappointment was not without some beneficial effect upon
himself. He was so much revived by the beating, that he soon after
recovered his tongue; and as he shuffled on alongside his companions,
they could hear him muttering curses, some in good English, some in bad,
some in a rich Irish brogue, and some in the broadest Scotch.

CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN.

THE WATERLESS WELL.

Golah expected to reach the watering-place early in the evening; and all
the caravan was excited by the anticipation of soon obtaining a
plentiful supply of water.

It was well they were inspired by this hope. But for that, long before
the su