trust us till he see de money in his hand," answered Jumbo, "and
dat de difficulty."

"So it is, but we must manage to overcome it," said Stephen. "Speak
fair, and say that we are grateful to him for having given us food and
this cloth to cover us."

Jumbo promised to do as he was directed.

At daybreak the whole camp was astir, when the Arabs went down on their
knees looking towards Mecca to say their prayers, an impressive sight,
for every man seemed in earnest. Soon afterwards the Sheik approached
and inquired whether Stephen and Roger could ride.

"Tell him, since we were children," answered Stephen. "If he will let
us have horses we will show him."

Some more dates and water were brought them for breakfast, shortly after
which a man appeared leading two active little steeds. The lads,
supposing that they were for them, leaped into the saddles, and at once
galloped off into the open country.

"If we knew our way to the coast it would be a good opportunity of
escaping," said Roger.

"It would be an act of folly to make the attempt," said Stephen. "Let
us turn now and go back, and show the Sheik that he may place confidence
in us."

They returned at the same pace at which they had gone out. The Sheik
smiled grimly at seeing them come back.

"You shall have the horses to ride on for your journey," he said.

"How are you to travel, Jumbo?" asked Roger.

"Me go on camel," he answered. "The Sheik know that you can't run away
without me. You can't talkee to the people."

In a short time the order was given to march, and the Sheik led the way,
accompanied by the two young Englishmen, and Jumbo rode behind another
man on the camel. After proceeding for some miles they began to climb a
range of mountains covered with heath, along beaten paths. On the
summit there was suddenly a change of scenery. Behind was the
monotonous sterility of the desert, and before a cultivated country, in
every part of which were considerable camps in circular enclosures of
from sixty to eighty tents over the plain. They perceived numerous
horses and mules, as well as camels, while travellers continually passed
them on the road, some mounted on camels, but the greater number on
horses of a small size, all well-armed. About an hour after noon they
arrived at a well, surrounded by a vast number of animals, camels,
horses, mules, donkeys, goats; and so completely blocked up was the
approach that it was with the greatest diff