r; but Adair was of
opinion that the Arabs were not wont to indulge in such exhibitions of
hilarity, though he had very strong suspicions that he had been
humbugged.

The southern limits he had designed for the cruise having been reached,
Adair put the boat's head to the northward, intending, as before, to
search all the inlets and creeks; for although no birds had been
entrapped on their previous visit, some might be caught on a second. He
was half inclined to suppose that the slave-trade could not be carried
on to the extent which was reported, for so many of the dhows boarded
had no slaves or fittings for the reception of slaves, while others were
carrying only black passengers, seized with the desire apparently to see
the world. Adair was sorely puzzled. "I wish we had brought Hamed with
us," he repeated for the twentieth time; "he would have cleared up the
difficulty, and enabled us to obtain more information than we are likely
now to pick up."

As they were again in want of water, by the time they came off the
pretty little village where they had before been received in so friendly
a manner, he determined to pay it another visit. The pinnace was
accordingly steered into the bay, and anchored a short distance from the
shore. Adair and Desmond landed in the canoe, accompanied by two men
and as many breakers as she could carry. While the two men paddled back
for more, he and his nephew walked up to the village. The
primitive-looking palm-leaved thatched huts were picturesquely situated
an eighth of a mile or so from the beach, under the shade of a grove of
lofty cocoanut-trees. The chief man, with a party of his followers,
came out to meet them, and invited them into the principal hut, used
apparently as a guest-house. The chief made signs that the women were
preparing food, and begged their guests to rest till it was ready.
Adair was inclined to accept the invitation.

"There seem to be a good many of the fellows collected, considering the
size of the village, and I see that they are all armed," observed
Desmond; "the chief, too, is evidently mighty eager for us to go into
the hut. They may be very honest, but they may mean mischief."

"I am inclined to agree with you," answered Adair; "we must be on our
guard, at all events, though I don't suppose they will venture to commit
any act of violence."

He, accordingly, when the chief again pressed him to enter the hut, made
signs that he was in a hurry,