The sudden change of purpose and the counter-orders given by Jim were
caused by something he had just heard while listening to the
conversation of the Arabs.
Seeing that the merchants, rather than have any unnecessary trouble with
them, were disposed to sell them all, Jim had been unwilling to deprive
his brother and the others of an opportunity of obtaining their freedom.
For this reason had he entreated them to leave Terence and himself to
their fate.
But just as he had prevailed on Harry and his companions to go quietly,
he learnt from the Arabs that the man who had purchased Terence and
himself refused to buy any more of them; and also that the other Arabs
present were either unable or unwilling to buy them.
The merchants, therefore, would have to take them farther before they
could dispose of them.
In Jim's mind then revived the hope that, by opposing the wishes of his
late masters, he and Terence might be bought back again, and taken on to
Mogador. It was this hope that had induced him to recall his
companions, after having urged them to depart.
A few words explained his apparently strange conduct to Harry and Colin,
and they again promised to resist every attempt made to take them any
farther unless all should go in company.
The merchants in vain commanded and entreated that the Christian dogs
should move on. They used threats, and then resorted to blows.
Harry, to whom they had hitherto shown some respect, was beaten until
his scanty garments were saturated with blood.
Unwilling to see them suffering so much torture unsupported by any
selfish desire, Jim again counselled Harry and the others to yield
obedience to their masters.
In this counsel he was warmly seconded by Terence.
But Harry declared his determination not to desert his old shipmate
Colin, and Bill remained equally firm under the torture; while the
Krooman, knowing that his only chance of liberty depended on remaining
true to the white slaves, and keeping in their company, could not be
induced to yield.
Perceiving that all his entreaties, addressed to his brother, Harry, and
Colin, could not put an end to the painful scene he was compelled to
witness, Jim strove to effect his purpose by making an appeal to his
late masters.
"Buy us back, and take us all to Swearah as you promised," said he. "If
you do so, we will go cheerfully, as we were doing before. I tell you,
you will be well paid for your trouble."
One of the merchants, placing some confidence in the truth of this
representation, now offered to buy Jim and Terence on his own account;
but their new master refused to part with his freshly acquired property.
A crowd of men, women, and children, had now gathered around the spot;
and from all sides were heard shouts of "Kill the obstinate Christian
`dogs'. How dare they resist the will of true believers!"
This advice was given by those who had no pecuniary interest in the
chattels in question; but the merchants, who had invested a large sum in
the purchase of their white slaves, had no idea of making such a
sacrifice for the gratification of a mere outburst of passion.
There was but one way for them to overcome the difficulty that had so
unexpectedly presented itself. This was to separate the slaves by
force; taking the four along with them, and leaving the other two to the
purchaser, who would not revoke his bargain.
To accomplish this, the assistance of the bystanders was required, and
readily obtained.
Harry was seized and hoisted to the back of his camel; to which he was
firmly bound.
Colin, Bill, and the Krooman, were each set astride of a donkey, and
then made fast by having their feet tied under the animal's belly.
For a small sum the merchants then engaged two of the bystanders to
accompany them, and guard the white slaves to the frontier of the
Moorish empire--a distance of two days' journey.
Just as the party was about to move away from the spot, one of the
merchants, addressing himself to Jim, made the following observations:--
"Tell the young man--the nephew of the merchant `For God's sake bias'--
that since we have started for Swearah, in the belief that his story is
true, we shall now take him there, whether he be willing or not; and if
he has in any way deceived us, he shall surely die."
"He has not deceived you," said Jim; "take him and the rest of us there,
and you will certainly be rewarded."
"Then, why do they not go willingly?"
"Because they do not wish to leave their friends."
"Ungrateful dogs! cannot they be thankful for their own good fortune?
Do they take us for slaves, that we should do their will?"
While this conversation was going go, the other two merchants had headed
their animals to the road; and in a minute after, Harry Blount and Colin
had parted with their old messmate Terence, without a hope of ever
seeing him again.