ich friend in Mogador, who would redeem them all; but
that, should his uncle not be in the place at the time they should
arrive there, it would make no difference, as they would certainly be
ransomed by the English consul. "Tell them," added Harry, "that if they
will take us to Mogador, and we are not ransomed as I promised, they
shall be welcome to my life. I should then willingly die. Tell them
not to sell us until they have proved my words to be false; and not to
wrong both themselves and us by trusting too much to the words of a
stranger."

To this communication the merchants made reply: that they had been told
that slaves brought from the desert into the Empire of Morocco could,
and sometimes did, claim the protection of that government, which set
them free without paying anything; and those who had been at the expense
of bringing them did not get even thanks for their trouble.

One of the merchants, whose name was Bo Muzem, seemed inclined to listen
with some favour to the representations of Harry; but he was overruled
by the other two: so that all the young Englishman's assertions about
the wealth of his parents at home, and the immense worth he and his
comrades were to their country, as officers in its navy, failed to
convince those to whom his words were addressed.

The merchants at length went away, leaving Harry and Colin in an agony
of despair; while Sailor Bill and the Krooman seemed wholly indifferent
about their future destiny. The prospect of being again taken to the
desert seemed to have so benumbed the intellect of both, as to leave
them incapable of emotion.

Hope, fear, and energy, appeared to have forsaken the old sailor, who,
usually so fond of thinking aloud, had not now sufficient spirit left,
even for the anathematising of his enemies.

CHAPTER SEVENTY FIVE.

EL HAJI.

Late in the evening of the second day passed within the walls of the
town, two travellers knocked at the gate for admittance.

One of them gave a name which created quite a commotion in the village,
all seeming eager to receive the owner with some show of hospitality.

The merchants sat up to a late hour, in company with these strangers and
the sheik of the place.

Notwithstanding this, they were astir upon the following morning before
daybreak, busied in making preparations to renew their journey.

Our adventurers, on being allowed some breakfast, were commanded to eat
it in all haste, and then assist in prep