seriously alarmed for the
welfare of anyone of their number. But Golah was a specimen of natural
history new to them; and their apprehensions were excited to the highest
pitch by the conduct of those whom they knew to be better acquainted
with his character.

The behaviour of the woman who had aroused his anger showed that she was
endeavouring to resign herself to some fearful mode of death. The wild
lamentations of her children denoted that they were conscious of some
impending misfortune.

Fatima seemed about to realise the fulfilment of some long-cherished
hope, the hope of revenge on a detested rival.

The care Golah had taken to hinder any interference with his plans, the
words of the Krooman, the looks and gestures of the guards, and of Golah
himself, the digging of two graves in the sand, all gave warning that
some fearful tragedy was about to be enacted. Our adventurers were
conscious of this, and conscious, also, that they could do nothing to
prevent it.

Nearly frantic with the helplessness of their position, they could only
wait, "trembling for the birth of Fate."

CHAPTER FIFTY ONE.

THE SHEIK'S PLAN OF REVENGE.

The second sand-pit was dug a short distance from the first; and when it
had been sunk to the depth of about four and a half feet, Golah
commanded the blacks to leave off their labour, one of them being sent
back to the line to be seated along with his fellow slaves.

By this time the tents had been struck, the camels loaded, and all but
Golah and Fatima appeared willing and anxious to depart from the spot.
These were not; for their business at that camping-place had not yet
been completed.

When the two guards had again resumed their former stations in front of
the line, as before with their muskets at full cock, Golah advanced
towards the woman, who, disengaging herself from her children, stood up
at his approach.

Then succeeded a moment of intense interest.

Was he going to kill her?

If so, in what manner?

All looked on with painful anticipation of some dire event.

It soon transpired. The woman was seized by Golah himself, dragged
towards the pits that had been dug, and thrust into one of them. The
slave who wielded the spade was then commanded to fill up the excavation
around her.

Terence was the first to speak.

"God help her!" he exclaimed; "the monster is going to bury her alive!
Can't we save her?"

"We are not men, if we do not try!" exclaimed Harry, as