scended over the desert, and
the strangers were beyond the reach of vision, Golah gave orders to
resume the march once more in a south-easterly direction, which would
carry them away from the sea-coast, and, as the white slaves believed,
from all chances of their ever recovering their freedom.

The Krooman, on the contrary, appeared to be pleased at their taking
this direction, notwithstanding the objections he had expressed to going
inland.

CHAPTER FORTY NINE.

A MOMENTOUS INQUIRY.

During the night's journey Golah still seemed to have some fear of the
Arabs; and so great was the desire to place as much ground as possible
between himself and them that he did not halt until the sun was more
than two hours above the horizon.

For some time before a halt had been planned, Fatima, his favourite
wife, had been riding by his side, and making what seemed from the
excited movements of both an important communication.

After the tents had been pitched, and food was about being served out,
Golah commanded the mother of the boy carried by Colin to produce the
bag of figs that had been entrusted to her keeping.

Trembling with apprehension, the woman rose to obey. The Krooman
glanced at the white captives with an expression of horror; and although
they had not understood Golah's command, they saw that something was
going wrong.

The woman produced the bag, which was not quite half full. There were
in it about two quarts of dried figs.

The figs that had been served out three days before at the dry well had
been taken from another bag kept in the custody of Fatima.

The one now produced by the second wife should have been full; and Golah
demanded to know why it was not.

The woman trembling asseverated that she and her children had eaten
them.

At this confession Fatima uttered a scornful laugh, and spoke a few
words that increased the terror of the delinquent mother, at the same
time causing the boy to commence howling with affright.

"I tell you so," said the Krooman, who was standing near the white
slaves; "Fatima say to Golah, `Christian dog eat the figs;' Golah kill
him now; he kill da woman too."

In the opinion of those who travel the great desert, about the greatest
crime that can be committed is to steal food or drink, and consume
either unknown to their companions of the journey.

Articles of food entrusted to the care of anyone must be guarded and
preserved--even at the expense of life.

Unde