The parley that followed was of course unintelligible to our
adventurers, the Boy Slaves.
But although they did not understand the words that were exchanged
between the two sheiks, they were not without having a conjecture as to
their import. The gestures made by the two men, and their looks cast
frequently towards themselves, led them to believe that the conversation
related to their transference from one to the other.
There was not much to choose between the two masters. Both appeared to
be unfeeling savages, and so far had treated their captives with much
cruelty. They could only hope, in case of a transfer taking place, that
it would not be partial, but would extend to the trio, and that they
would be kept together. They had been already aware that Old Bill was
to be parted from them, and this had caused them a painful feeling; but
to be themselves separated, perhaps never to meet again, was a thought
still more distressing.
The three youths had been long shipmates, even since entering the naval
service of their country. They had become fast friends; and believed
that whatever might be the fate before them they could better bear it in
each other's company. Companionship would at least enable them to cheer
one another; mutual sympathy would, to some extent, alleviate the
hardest lot; while alone, and under such cruel taskmasters, the prospect
was gloomy in the extreme.
With feelings of keen anxiety, therefore, did they listen to the palaver
and watch the countenances of their captors.
After a full half-hour spent in loud talking and gesticulating, some
arrangement appeared to have been arrived at between the two sheiks.
Those most interested in it could only guess what it was by what
followed.
Silence having been partially restored, the old Arab was seen to step up
to the spot where the slaves of the black sheik were assembled; and,
after carefully scrutinising them, pick out three of the stoutest,
plumpest, and healthiest young negroes in the gang. These were
separated from the others, and placed on the plain some distance apart.
"We're to be exchanged," muttered Terence, "we're to belong to the ugly
black nayger. Well, perhaps it's better. We'll be with Old Bill."
"Stay a wee," said Colin; "there's something more to come yet, I think."
The black sheik at this moment coming up, interrupted the conversation
of the captives.
What was he going to do? Take them with him, they supposed. The old
Arab had himself led out the three young "darkies"; and the black sheik
was about to act in like manner with the trio of white captives.
So reasoned they; and, as it was a matter of indifference to them with
which they went, they would offer no opposition.
To their chagrin, however, instead of all three, only one of them was
led off; the other two being commanded by gestures to keep their ground.
It was O'Connor to whom this partiality was shown; the black sheik
having selected him after a short while spent in scrutinising and
comparing the three. The Irish youth was of stouter build than either
of his shipmates; and this, perhaps, guided the black sheik in making
his choice. By all appearances, the conditions of the exchange were to
be different from what our adventurers had anticipated. It was not to
be man for man, or boy for boy; but three for one, three blacks to a
white.
This was, in reality, the terms that had been agreed upon. The
avaricious old Arab, not caring very much to part with his share of the
spoil, would not take less than three to one; and to this the black
sheik, after long and loud bargaining, had consented.
Terence was led up and placed alongside the three young darkies, who,
instead of taking things as seriously as he, were exhibiting their
ivories in broad grins of laughter, as if the disposal of their persons
was an affair to be treated only as a joke.
Our adventurers were now apprehensive that they were to be separated.
Their only hope was that the bargaining would not end there; but would
extend to a further exchange of six blacks for the two remaining whites.
Their conjectures were interrupted by their seeing that the "swop" was
not yet considered complete.
What followed, in fact, showed them that it was not a regular trade at
all; but a little bit of gambling between the two sheiks, in which
Terence and the three young blacks were to be the respective stakes.
Old Bill was able to explain the proceedings from his experience of the
preceding night; and, as he saw the two sheiks repair to the place where
his own proprietorship had been decided, he cried out, "Ye're goin' to
be gambled for, Masther Terry! Och! ye'll be along wid me; for the
black can bate the owld Arab at that game, all hollow."
The holes in which the helga had been played on the proceeding night,
were now resorted to. The proper number of dung pellets were procured,
and the game proceeded.
It ended as the old man-o'-war's-man had prognosticated, by the black
sheik becoming the winner and owner of Terence O'Connor.
The Arab appeared sadly chagrined, and by the way in which he strutted
and stormed over the ground, it was evident he would not rest satisfied
with his loss. When did gamester ever leave gaming-table so long as a
stake was left him to continue the play?
Two of the midshipmen still belonged to the old sheik. With these he
might obtain a _revanche_. He made the trial. He was unfortunate as
before. Either the luck was against him, or he was no match at "desert
draughts" for his sable antagonist.
It ended in the black sheik becoming the owner of the three midshipmen;
who, restored to the companionship of Sailor Bill, in less than twenty
minutes after the conclusion of the game were trudging it across the
desert in the direction of Timbuctoo.