city; and, as they saw that they
were powerless to do harm without receiving punishment, their fierce
deportment soon gave way to a demeanour more befitting the streets of a
civilised town.

Both pursued and pursuers were cautioned against any infringement of the
laws of the place, and as a different quarter was assigned to each
party, all chances of a conflict were, for the time, happily frustrated.

CHAPTER EIGHTY.

MOORISH JUSTICE.

The next morning, Rais Mourad was summoned to appear before the governor
of the place. He was ordered also to bring his slaves along with him.
He had no reluctance in obeying these orders; and a soldier conducted
him and his followers to the governor's residence.

Bo Muzem and the grazier were there before him; and the governor soon
after made his appearance in the large room where both parties were
waiting audience.

He was a fine-looking man, of amiable aspect, about sixty-five years of
age. From his appearance, Harry and Colin had but little fear for the
result of his decision in any appeal that might be made to him.

Bo Muzem was the first to speak. He stated that, in partnership with
two other merchants, he had purchased the four slaves then present. He
had never given his consent to the sale made by his partners to the
Moor; and there was one of the slaves who, it had been distinctly
understood, was not to be sold at all. That slave he now claimed as his
own property. He had been commissioned by his partners to go to
Swearah, and there dispose of the whole lot. He had sold the other two
to his friend Mahommed, who was by his side. He had no claim on them.
Mahommed, the grazier, was now their lawful owner.

The grazier was next called upon to make his statement.

This was soon done. All he had to say was, that he had purchased three
Christian slaves from his friend, Bo Muzem; and had given four horses
and ten dollars in money for each of them. They had been taken away
forcibly by the Moor, Rais Mourad, from whom he now claimed them.

Rais Mourad was now called upon to answer the accusation. The question
was put: why he retained possession of another man's property?

In reply, he stated that he had purchased the slaves from two Arab
merchants, and had paid for them on the spot, giving one hundred and
fifty silver dollars for each.

After the Moor had finished his statement, the governor remained silent
for an interval of two or three minutes.

Presently,