bs said, unanimously. "Where the stout son of Ali
goes, the road is straight and danger is not known."

"Well," said Khamis bin Abdullah, "we have now four hundred and eighty
men promised; I will take with me a hundred and fifty men with guns, and
I dare say Sheikhs Hamdan and Amram and a few other friends will bring
the force up to seven hundred. Isa, son of Salim, Mohammed son of
Bashid, Bashid bin Suleiman, tall young men, and kinsmen to me, have
already agreed to follow my fortunes. A large number of Arabs is always
better than a few. I have one thing more to say before we rise to
prayers--the sun is just sinking, I see--Ludha Damha, the collector of
customs, has told me that if a strong party went with me he would let us
have any amount of ready money at 50 per cent, annual interest, which is
half the usual price he asks--the old dog!--and if any of you desire
money, go to him for your outfit, for I will speak to him to-morrow
morning and give him your names."

"That is well-spoken, by my beard," said Mohammed. "I was thinking that
we could not raise money under 100 per cent, interest from the Banyan
usurer."

"Very well, indeed," added Amer bin Osman. "Ludha Damha must be sure of
a speedy return to let his money go so cheap. My mind is now perfectly
made up; and, friends, the sun has set and we must to prayers." Saying
which Amer rose--a signal which the Arabs readily understood.

After the usual salaams, courtesies, and benedictions had been uttered,
the Arabs departed each to his own home, at a slow and dignified pace,
while Amer and his son Selim retired into the mesdjid of their own
mansion.

When Amer and Selim had ended their evening prayers, and had left the
mesdjid or church belonging to the mansion, Selim asked, pulling at his
father's robe:

"Father, I see my mother at the lattice; may I go and tell her that I am
to go with you to Africa?"

"Ah, poor Amina! I forgot all about her," said Amer, stopping and
speaking in a regretful tone. "Selim, my son, this is sad. Amina will
never permit thy departure. It would break her heart."

"But I must go sometime from home, father. Why not now? With whom can
I be safer than with thee? I am not going with strangers, nor am I
leaving my kindred. I am going with thy kindred, thy household, and
thyself. What can my mother object to?"

"Thou art right, Selim--thou art right! She cannot object. Our slaves,
our kindred are going--but--but--po