r from Harry to his
uncle.

"Tell the young man," said one of the merchants, addressing himself to
the interpreter, "tell him from me, that if the ransom be not paid, he
shall surely die on Bo Muzem's return. Tell him that."

The Krooman made the communication, and Harry without demur accepted the
conditions.

A piece of dirty crumpled paper, a reed pen, and some ink, were then
placed before Harry. While the letter was being written, Bo Muzem
commenced making preparations for his journey.

Knowing that their only hope of liberty depended on their situation
being made known to some countryman resident in Mogador, Harry took up
the pen; and, with much difficulty, succeeded in scribbling the
following words:--

"Sir,--Two midshipmen of H.M.S. -- (cast away a few weeks ago near
Cape Blanco), and two seamen, are now held in slavery at a small town
one day's journey from Agadeer. The bearer of this note is one of our
masters. His business in Mogador is to learn if we will be ransomed;
and if he be unsuccessful in finding any one who will pay the money to
redeem us, the writer of this note is to be killed. If you cannot or
will not pay the money they require (one hundred and fifty dollars for
each) please direct the bearer to some one whom you think will do so.

"There is another midshipman from the same vessel, and an English
sailor, one day's journey south of this place.

"Perhaps the bearer of this note, Bo Muzem, may be induced to purchase
them, so that they also may be ransomed.

"Henry Blount."

This letter Harry folded, and directed to "Any English merchant in
Mogador."

By the time it was written, Bo Muzem had mounted and made himself ready
for the road.

After receiving the letter, he wished Harry to be informed once more,
that, should the journey to Swearah prove a fruitless one, nothing but
his (Harry's) life would compensate him (Bo Muzem) for the
disappointment.

After promising to be back in eight days, and enjoining upon his
partners to look well after their property during his absence, Bo Muzem
took his departure for the port of Mogador.

CHAPTER SEVENTY SIX.

BO MUZEM'S JOURNEY.

Although an Arab merchant, Bo Muzem was an honest man, one, who in all
business transactions, told the truth, and expected to hear it from
others.

Notwithstanding this, he pursued his journey towards Mogador with but a
faint belief that the representations made by the young En