Taking the Krooman by one arm, the Arab sheik led him up to the old
man-o'-war's-man; who, sailor-like, having finished his watch, had gone
to sleep.
After being awakened by the sheik, the Krooman was told to ask the white
man why he had fired his pistol.
"Why, to kill Golah, the big nager!" answered Bill; "an' I'm mighty
desaved if I 'ave not done it."
This answer was communicated to the sheik, who had the art of expressing
unbelief with a peculiar smile, which he now practised.
Bill was asked if he had seen the black sheik.
"Seen him! sartinly I did," answered the sailor. "He was not more nor
four paces from me at the time I peppered him. I tell you he is gone
and done for."
The sheik shook his head, and again smiled incredulously.
Further inquiries were interrupted by the discovery of the body of the
Arab sentinel whom Golah had killed, and all clustered around it.
The man's head was nearly severed from his body; and the blow, which
must have caused instant death, had evidently been given by the black
sheik. Near the corpse, tracks were observed in the sand such as no
other human being but Golah could have made.
It was now broad daylight; and the Arabs, glancing along the shore to
southward, made another discovery.
Two camels with a horse were seen upon the beach about half a mile off;
and, leaving one of their number to guard the _douar_, the old sheik
with his followers started off in the hope of recovering some of the
property they had lost.
They were followed by most of the slaves; who, by the misfortunes of
their masters, were under less restraint.
On arriving near the place where the camels were, the young man we have
described as Golah's brother-in-law was found to be in charge of them.
He was lying on the ground; but on the approach of the Arabs, he sprang
to his feet, at the same time holding up both hands.