being "choused" out of his bargain, and
declared that he would bring two hundred men, if necessary, for the
purpose of reclaiming his own.

Rais Mourad, paying no attention to this threat, gave orders to his
followers to move on; and, although it was now almost night, he started
off in the direction of Agadeer.

Before he had proceeded far, he perceived the Arab grazier riding at
full speed in the opposite direction, and towards his own home.

"I wish," said Colin, "that we had made some inquiries of that fellow
about Jim and Terence; but it's too late now."

"Yes, too late," echoed Harry; "and I wish that he had obtained
possession in the place of our present master; we should then have all
come together again. But what are we to think of this last turn of
Fortune's wheel?"

"I am rather pleased at it," answered Colin. "A while ago we were in
despair because the Moor had bought us. That was a mistake. If he had
not done so, you, Harry, would have been killed."

"Bill!" added the young Scotchman, turning to the sailor, "what are you
dreaming about?"

"Nothink," answered Bill, "I'm no goin' to drame or think any mair."

"We are agwine straight for Swearah," observed the Krooman, as he spoke
glancing towards the north-west.

"That is true," exclaimed Harry, looking in the same direction. "Can it
be that we are to be taken to Mogador, after all? If so, there is hope
for us yet."

"But Bo Muzem could find no one there who would pay the money for our
ransom," interposed Colin.

"He nebba go thar," said the Krooman. "He nebba hab de time."

"I believe the Krooman is right," said Harry. "We have been told that
Mogador is four days' journey from here; and the merchant was gone but
six days."

The conversation of the slaves was here interrupted by the Moors, who
kept constantly urging them to greater speed.

The night came on very dark, but Rais Mourad would not allow them to
move at a slower pace.

Sailor Bill, being as he declared unused to "navigate any sort o' land
craft", could only keep his seat on the animal he bestrode, by allowing
it to follow the others, while he clutched its mane with a firm grasp of
both hands.

The journey was continued until near midnight; when the old sailor,
unable any longer to endure the fatigue, managed to check the pace of
his animal and dismount.

The Moors endeavoured to make him proceed, but were unsuccessful.

Bill declared that should he again be placed on