e on the unbelieving dogs; and will buy them for the
purpose of obtaining it. I will work them until they are too old for
anything, and then let them die in a ditch."

"Then buy the ones we have for sale," proposed Bo Muzem. "We are
willing to sell them cheap, all but one. The man who wrote this letter
I must kill. I have sworn it by the Prophet's beard."

As both parties appeared anxious for a bargain, they soon came to an
understanding as to the terms; and the grazier promised to give ten
dollars in money and four heads of horses for each of the slaves that
was for sale. He also agreed that one of his herdsmen should assist in
driving the cattle to any settlement where a market might be found for
them.

The simple Bo Muzem had now in reality been "sold": for the story he had
been told about the escape for the two slaves, Terence and Jim, was
wholly and entirely false.

CHAPTER SEVENTY SEVEN.

RAIS MOURAD.

Six days had passed, during which the white slaves were comparatively
well treated, far better than at any other time since their shipwreck.
They were not allowed to suffer from thirst, and were supplied with
nearly as much food as they required.

On the sixth day after the departure of Bo Muzem, they were visited by
their masters, accompanied by a stranger who was a Moor.

They were commanded to get up on their feet; and were then examined by
the Moor in a manner that awakened suspicions that he was about to buy
them.

The Moor wore a caftan richly embroidered on the breast and sleeves, and
confined around the waist with a silken sash or girdle.

A pair of small yellow Morocco leather boots peeped out beneath trousers
of great width made of the finest satin; and on his head was a turban of
bright scarlet silk.

Judging from the respect shown to him by the merchants, he was an
individual of much importance. This was also evident from the number of
his followers, all of whom were mounted on beautiful Arabian horses.

The appearance of his whole retinue gave evidence that he was some
personage of great wealth and influence.

After he had examined the slaves, he retired with the two merchants; and
shortly afterwards the Krooman learnt from one of his followers that the
white slaves had become the property of the wealthy Moor.

The bright anticipations of liberty that had filled their souls for the
last few days vanished at this intelligence. Each felt a shock of pain,
of hopeless despair, t