an back close to
the village we had at first seen. At the same time we caught sight of
four or five large canoes putting off from the shore, evidently for the
purpose of intercepting us. In vain we attempted to escape; the canoes
completely surrounded us, and unless we had resolved, rather than yield,
to sacrifice our lives, resistance would have been useless. We merely,
therefore, warded off with our paddles the blows aimed at our heads,
while we cried out to the people that we were ready to give in if they
would desist from striking. Before they understood us, however, we had
received several cuts and bruises, and in a pitiable condition were
conducted on shore.

On landing we were placed in an open space on the ground, with guards
over us; while the more influential persons seated themselves under a
widespreading baobab-tree, and discussed what was to be done with us.
Though we could not hear clearly what was said, from their gestures we
fully believed they contemplated putting us to death.

"We might as well have made a stouter fight for our liberty," observed
Ben, who seemed to be sorry that we had yielded so easily.

"If they believe that they can make anything by us, they will not kill
us," said Boxall. "We may still, I hope, escape death."

Anxiously we watched the gestures of the assembly. They were
savage-looking fellows enough, but yet it soon became evident that some
were for mild measures; and Selim, who understood better than we did
what they were saying, caught a few words, and told us that they were
waiting the arrival of some one, who had been sent for, and who was to
decide our fate.

Some hours passed, during which we were kept without food, and exposed
to the burning rays of the sun. At length there was a movement among
our captors, and we caught sight of several horsemen coming through the
forest, with a person, who was evidently a chief of importance, at their
head. As he approached, we recognised the black, ill-looking sheikh to
whose camp we had conducted the veiled lady. My heart, I confess, sunk
within me, for I expected very little mercy at his hands. Without
dismounting, he listened to the account the chiefs of the village gave
of our capture. When they had finished, I thought it was time for me to
speak, and I knew that by so doing I could not make our case worse; I
therefore addressed him in Arabic, which, at our former interview, I
found that he understood. I reminded him