s a commotion in the camp, and we heard that
Antonio had been sent for by the sheikh. His name was shouted in all
directions, but he was nowhere to be found. Soon afterwards a party,
accompanied by Selim, set out from the camp; from which circumstance I
had little doubt that the young black had carried out his treacherous
plan. I could not help fearing, at the same time, that, notwithstanding
his precautions, Ben, Halliday, and I might be implicated in it, and
suffer accordingly.

We were still employed in our usual evening's occupation when the party
returned, bringing back Antonio, with his hands securely bound together.
As the light of the fire, opposite which he was led, fell on his
countenance, it struck me that it had more of an angry and vindictive
than of a downcast look. He threw his fierce glance on me especially,
appearing even then to be meditating a bitter revenge, as he naturally
considered that it was owing to my treachery that he had been captured.
He was forthwith conducted into the presence of the sheikh, who, with
his brother Abdalah and other elders of the tribe, was seated by a fire
beneath a group of palm-trees. Here, squatting on the ground, with a
guard standing over him, he was allowed to listen to the consultation
they were holding as to the punishment he merited.

Selim, who managed to get near enough to hear what was going on, told us
that some were for shooting him forthwith, or cutting off his head,
while others considered that a sound beating would be sufficient to keep
him in order. Though the Arabs are as well acquainted with the
bastinado as the Moors and Turks, policy rather than mercy decided them
on not inflicting it, as he would thus be unable to march, and it would
be necessary to burden a camel with him for many days to come. It was
at length decided that he should receive a severe beating; and that,
should he still be refractory, he should be sold to the first
slave-caravan for any sum he would fetch. That might seem a light
punishment; but, as strong slaves are often compelled to carry burdens
as well as work hard, should he be sold he would have to march for many
months over the burning desert,--and as slave-merchants keep a watchful
eye on their property, he would have but little chance of escape: so the
fate in store for him was calculated, it was considered, to keep him on
his good behaviour.

"The camp will not be long troubled with him, however," said Selim, when