arrangements for their departure.

For a few minutes the white slaves kept uttering exclamations of delight
at the prospect of being once more restored to liberty. Jim then gave
them a translation of what he had said about the Krooman.

"I know the Arab character so well," said he, "that I did not wish to
agree to all their terms without a little haggling, which prevents them
from entertaining the suspicion that we are trying to deceive them.
Besides, as the Krooman is not an English subject, there may be great
difficulty in getting him redeemed; and we should therefore beforehand
bargain for him as cheap as possible."

Not long after the Arab merchants had taken their departure from the
penn, a supply of food and drink was served out to them; which, from its
copiousness, proved that it was provided at the expense of their new
owners.

This beginning augured well for their future treatment; and that night
was spent by the boy slaves in a state of contentment and repose greater
than they had experienced since first setting foot on the inhospitable
shores of the Saara.

CHAPTER SEVENTY ONE.

ONWARD ONCE MORE.

Early next morning our adventurers were awakened and ordered to prepare
for the road.

The Arab merchants had purchased from their late hosts three donkeys,
upon which the white slaves were allowed to ride in turns. Harry Blunt,
however, was distinguished from the rest. As the nephew of the rich
merchant, "For God's sake buy us!" he was deemed worthy of higher
favour, and was permitted to have a camel.

In vain he protested against being thus elevated above his companions.
The Arabs did not heed his remonstrance; and at a few words from Jim he
discontinued them.

"They think that we are to be released from slavery by the money of your
relative," said Jim, "and you must do nothing to undeceive them. Not to
humour them might awaken their suspicions. Besides, as you are the
responsible person of the party, the one whose throat is to be cut if
the money is not found, you are entitled to a little distinction, as
compensation for extra anxiety."

The Krooman, who had joined the slaves in cutting the grain, was in the
field at work when the merchants moved off; and was not present to bid
farewell to his more fortunate countryman.

After travelling about twelve miles through a fertile country, much of
which was in cultivation, the Arab merchants arrived at a large
reservoir of water, where they enc