hore. Tom, who was watching them
through his glass, saw them throw themselves, utterly exhausted, on the
beach. "Without food or water, their fate will be as terrible as that
of those who have just lost their lives. They deserve it richly,
however; there will be so many slave-traders less in the world," he
observed coolly. He, like many others acquainted with the atrocities
committed by the Arabs, could no longer feel the slightest compassion
for any sufferings to which they were subjected.

The whole of the blacks were secured, as were the surviving Arabs, and
marched back to be carried on board the ship. Jack, meantime, had been
very anxious about the party who had to proceed overland; and he
determined to send some men, well armed, with provisions and water, to
meet them. Tom and Gerald begged leave to go, in company with the
doctor, who carried restoratives and medicines. The day was far
advanced when they landed. They at once struck off to the north,
keeping a bright look-out for the Arabs on one side and their friends on
the other.

It was near evening when they saw some figures wending their way over a
rocky hill to the northward. They were at first doubtful whether or not
they were Arabs; if such was the case, they were fully prepared for
them. "No, they are our fellows!" exclaimed Tom. Just as he spoke,
another much larger party were seen on the left, making their way
towards the first. Tom's glass was at his eye in a moment. "Those are
Arabs; no doubt about it," he said. "They have muskets, too, and it's
very evident that they are intending to cut off our friends. We shall
disappoint them, though, I hope."

The officer in command of the party, having ascertained that Tom was
right, gave the order to push forward as rapidly as possible. The Arabs
had apparently not yet discovered them, and were still advancing, with
their gaze fixed only on those whom they hoped to make their prey.
Besides the Arabs, there were numerous blacks, secured together, in the
ordinary barbarous fashion, with forked sticks. There could be little
doubt that they were slaves who had escaped from the wrecked dhow, and
were being taken back to the coast, to be embarked on board another
slaver.

The seamen, descending into the valley, soon lost sight of both parties.
In spite of the burning sun, which made the air in the valley like that
of a hothouse, they pushed rapidly on. Presently they heard some shots
fired, whi