the fearful heave she gave, it was seen that she had struck.

Every glass was turned towards her as the ship stood on, keeping the
lead going, till, the water shallowing, she must come to an anchor. A
minute scarcely had elapsed after the dhow struck, when a black stream
was seen issuing from beneath her, some moving figures on shore in
coloured dresses showing that the Arabs had first escaped. But of what
does that string consist? Of hundreds of human beings, men, women, and
children, who had, when the vessel struck, been set free by their
owners.

Now one breaker, now another, burst down upon them, and carried some of
the dark string away. Their ranks were quickly filled up, and on the
string went. It seemed never-ending, as the blacks in the hold,
scrambling up on deck, threw themselves overboard to join those who had
already reached the shore.

"They must be stopped, at all events," cried Jack; "if they attempt to
cross the desert they will be starved to death, or fall into the hands
of the murderous Saumalis."

Notwithstanding the heaviness of the surf, it was soon seen that a large
number of blacks had reached the shore. At first they assembled in
groups; but now, as they looked towards the ship, terrified by the tales
their Arab captors had told them of the white men's cannibal
propensities, they began to fly, as fast as their cramped limbs would
allow them, in parties towards the interior.

"They will escape to their certain destruction, if they are not
frightened back," said Jack; "keep the guns playing; fire another shot
ahead of them, it will stop them from going off in the direction they
are taking."

Several shot were fired over the heads of the fugitives, each column
being turned as the wretched beings saw the sand thrown up just before
them, and believed that destruction would await them if they took that
direction; it was, however, only to try and escape in another. In the
meantime, the instant the steamer had stopped her way, three boats had
been lowered, and, impelled by their hardy crews, regardless of the
danger run, were making their way towards the dhow. Two boldly pushed
through the surf, while the third brought up just outside the breakers,
ready to receive any of the slaves who might be caught. Archie Gordon
was in one, with the second master; the boatswain was in another, with
Hamed, the interpreter; while Higson took command of the large boat.

Jack watched them with no litt