The conversation amongst the Arabs was kept up until a late hour; and,
during the time it continued our adventurers were impatiently awaiting
the return of the Krooman.
He came at length, after the Arabs had retired to their tents; and all
gathered round him, eager to learn what he had heard.
"I find out too much," said he, in answer to their inquiries; "too much,
and no much good."
"What was it?"
"Two of you to be sold to-morrow."
"What two?"
"No one know. One man examine us all in the morning, but take only
two."
After suffering a long lesson teaching the virtue of patience, they
learnt from Krooman that one of those who had been conversing with their
masters was a grazier, owning large droves of cattle; and that he had
lately been to Swearah.
He had told the merchants that they would not be able to get a large
price for their slaves in that place, and that the chances were much
against their making more than the actual expenses incurred in so long a
journey. He assured the Arab merchants that no Christian consul or
foreign merchant in Mogador would pay a dollar more for redeeming six
slaves than what they could be made to pay for two or three; that they
were not always willing or prepared to pay anything; and that whenever
they did redeem a slave, they did not consider his value, but only the
time and expense that had been incurred in bringing him to the place.
Under the influence of these representations, the Arab merchants had
agreed to sell two of these white slaves to the grazier, thinking they
would get as much for the remaining four as they would by taking all six
to the end of the journey.
The owner of the herds was to make his choice in the morning.
"I thought there was a breaker ahead last night," exclaimed Jim, after
the Krooman had concluded his report. "We must not be separated except
by liberty or death. Our masters must take us all to Mogador. There is
trouble before us yet; but we must be firm, and overcome it. Firmness
has saved us once, and may do so again."
After all had promised to be guided in the coming emergency by Jim, they
laid themselves along the ground and sought rest in sleep.
Next morning, while they were eating their breakfast, they were visited
by the grazier who was expected to make choice of two of their number.
"Which is the one who speaks Arabic?" he inquired from one of the
merchants.
Jim was pointed out, and was at once selected as one of the two to be
purchased.
"Tell 'im to buy me, too, Jim," said Bill, "We'll sail in company, you
and I, though I don't much like partin' with the young gentlemen here."
"You shall not part either with them or me, if I can help it," answered
Jim; "but we must expect some torture. Let all bear it like devils, and
don't give in. That's our only chance!"
Glancing his eyes over the other slaves, the grazier selected Terence as
the second for whom he was willing to pay a price.
His terms having been accepted by the merchants, they were about
concluding the bargain, when they were accosted by Jim.
He assured them that he and his companions were determined to die before
they should be separated, that none of them would do any work if
retained in slavery, and that all were determined to be taken to
Swearah.
The merchants and the buyer only smiled at this interruption; and went
on with the negotiation.
In vain did Jim appeal to their cupidity, reminding them that the
merchant, "For God's sake buy us", would pay a far higher price for
himself and his companions.
His arguments and entreaties failed to change their determination, the
bargain was concluded, and Jim and Terence were made over to their new
master.
The merchants then mounted their camels, and ordered the other four to
follow them.
Harry Blount, Colin, and Sailor Bill, answered this command by sulkily
sitting down upon the sand.
Another command from the merchants was given, in sharp tones that
betrayed their rising wrath.
"Obey them!" exclaimed Jim. "Go on; and Master Terence and I will
follow you. We'll stand the brunt of the battle. They shall not hold
me here alive!"
Colin and Bill each mounted a donkey, and Harry his camel; the Arab
merchants seeming quite satisfied at the result of their slight
exhibition of anger.
Jim and Terence attempted to follow them; but their new master was
prepared for this; and, at a word of command, several of his followers
seized hold of and fast bound both of them.
Jim's threat, that they should not hold him alive, had thus proved but
an idle boast.
Harry, Colin, and Bill, now turned back, dismounted, and showed their
determination to remain with their companions down along side of them.
"These Christian dogs do not wish for liberty!" exclaimed one of the
merchants. "Allah forbid that we should force them to accept it. Who
will buy them?"
These words completely upset all Jim's plans. He saw that he was
depriving the others of the only opportunity they might ever have of
obtaining their liberty.
"Go on, go on!" he exclaimed. "Make no further resistance. It is
possible they may take you to Mogador. Do not throw away the chance."
"We are not goin' to lave you, Jim," said Bill, "not even for liberty,
leastways, I'm not. Don't you be afeerd o' that!"
"Of course we will not, unless we are forced to do so," added Harry.
"Have you not said that we must keep together?"
"Have you not all promised to be guided by me?" replied Jim. "I tell
you now to make no further resistance. Go on with them, if you wish
ever to be free!"
"Jim knows what he is about," interposed Colin: "let us obey him."
With some reluctance Harry and Bill were induced to mount again; but
just as they were moving away, they were recalled by Jim, who told them
not to leave; and that all must persevere in the determination not to be
separated.
"The man has certainly gone mad," reflected Harry Blount, as he turned
back once more. "We must no longer be controlled by him; but Terence
must not be left behind. We cannot forsake him."
Again the three dismounted; and returning to the spot where Jim and
Terence lay fast bound along the sand, sat determinedly down beside
them.