riding
out through the gateway of the town, took a path leading up the mountain
on which stands the city of Santa Cruz.

When about half way up, a party of horsemen, between twenty and thirty
in number, was seen coming after them at full speed.

Rais Mourad remembered the threat made by the grazier, who claimed the
slaves as his property; and every exertion was made by him to reach the
city before his party could be overtaken.

The horses ridden by the white slaves were small animals, in poor
condition, and were unable to move up the steep hill with much speed,
although the riders had been reduced by starvation to the very lightest
of weights.

Before reaching the level plain on the top of the hill, the pursuers had
gained on them rapidly, and lessened the distance between the two
parties by nearly half a mile. The nearest gate of the city was still
more than a mile ahead, and towards it the Moors urged their horses with
all the energy that could be inspired by oaths, kicks, and blows.

As Rais Mourad's party approached the gate, the heads of their pursuers
were seen just rising over the crest of the hill behind them. But as
the Moor saw that his slaves were now safe, he checked his speed, and
the few yards that remained of the journey were performed at a slow
pace: for the great man did not wish to enter the gate of a strange city
in a hasty or undignified manner.

There was no delay in passing the sentinels; and in five minutes after
the weary slaves dismounted from their nearly exhausted steeds, and were
commanded by Rais Mourad to thank God that they had arrived safe within
the limits of the great Empire of Morocco.

In less than a quarter of an hour later, Bo Muzem and the grazier rode
through the gateway, accompanied by a troop of fierce-looking Arab
horsemen.

The wrath of the merchant seemed to have waxed greater in the interval,
and he appeared as if about to make an immediate attack upon Harry
Blount, the chief object of his spiteful vengeance.

In this he was prevented by Rais Mourad, who appealed to an officer of
the city guard to protect him and his property.

The officer informed Bo Muzem that, while within the walls of the city,
he must not molest other people, and the latter was compelled to give
his word that he would not do so, that is to say, he was "bound over to
keep the peace."

The other Arabs, in whose company he had come, were also given to
understand that they were in a Moorish