and have wished that I could pray, too;
but my heart is too bitter for prayer. I feel as if I could curse all
men, and myself, and die. Poor Mussoud's days are numbered, I fear: and
if he dies, I do not care what becomes of me."

"But, my dear friend, the Kuran says: `When thou art in distress pray to
thy God and He will hear thee; His ear is open to the oppressed.'"

"I know it, Selim, but I cannot pray now. I fear I should curse God for
permitting his faithful to be treated as we have been. Listen to the
moans of my brother, and think of his being left to die all alone in the
road, because, if he cannot march, they will not let me remain with him!
But what is thy bright idea, Selim?"

"My idea is to run away to-night, and go to the depths of this forest.
Far better to die there than lead this life so wretched. If one of
these people can trust himself in the forest, why may I not do so? They
have not been able to kill me with all the weight of their cruelties.
The forest were far kinder than these inhuman Watuta."

"And my brother, what of him?"

"We will take him with us; and when we are alone, safe from our
pursuers, we will be able to nurse him. We will build ourselves a
strong little hut near some nice stream, where we shall be safe and
quiet; and while you are watching your sick brother, I will take my
spear and go out to gather wild fruit and honey. But, hush! Here comes
Tifum. Help Mussoud to his feet, and let him hold up until to-night."

Just then the stern signal to march was given, and the boys turned
industriously and submissively to their bales; and Mussoud feeling
relieved by the rest, the caravan set out at its usual pace.

About noon they halted in the forest, and, knowing that no danger from
men was to be feared in the forest, the Watuta were heedless of the
usual boma or brush fence around the camp.

The boy-gang being tied together, were of course inseparable, and
Abdullah, in his usual place, sat next to Selim, as they munched their
roasted Indian corn or their half-boiled holcus grains. Mussoud was
accustomed to sit next to Selim, but owing to his illness he was placed
outside the camp, as all the Watuta knew this disease was contagious,
and what danger lay to the whole unvaccinated camp by the dread presence
of the small-pox.

At night they were still together, Selim and Abdullah. Inside the
circle of the camp were men seated in circles near the fire, discussing
various topic