Six days had passed, during which the white slaves were comparatively
well treated, far better than at any other time since their shipwreck.
They were not allowed to suffer from thirst, and were supplied with
nearly as much food as they required.
On the sixth day after the departure of Bo Muzem, they were visited by
their masters, accompanied by a stranger who was a Moor.
They were commanded to get up on their feet; and were then examined by
the Moor in a manner that awakened suspicions that he was about to buy
them.
The Moor wore a caftan richly embroidered on the breast and sleeves, and
confined around the waist with a silken sash or girdle.
A pair of small yellow Morocco leather boots peeped out beneath trousers
of great width made of the finest satin; and on his head was a turban of
bright scarlet silk.
Judging from the respect shown to him by the merchants, he was an
individual of much importance. This was also evident from the number of
his followers, all of whom were mounted on beautiful Arabian horses.
The appearance of his whole retinue gave evidence that he was some
personage of great wealth and influence.
After he had examined the slaves, he retired with the two merchants; and
shortly afterwards the Krooman learnt from one of his followers that the
white slaves had become the property of the wealthy Moor.
The bright anticipations of liberty that had filled their souls for the
last few days vanished at this intelligence. Each felt a shock of pain,
of hopeless despair, that for some moments stunned him almost to
speechlessness.
Harry Blount was the first to awaken to the necessity of action.
"Where are our masters the merchants?" he exclaimed. "They cannot, they
shall not sell us. Come, all of you! Follow me!"
Rushing forth from the penn, that had been allowed them for a residence,
the young Englishman, followed by his companions, started towards the
dwelling of the sheik, to which place the merchants and the Moor had
retired.
All were now excited with disappointment and despair; and on reaching
the sheik's house, the two Arab merchants were called out to listen to a
volley of reproaches.
"Why have you sold us?" asked the Krooman, as the merchants came forth.
"Have you not promised that we should be taken to Swearah, and has not
your partner gone there to obtain the money for our ransom?"
The two merchants were, at this moment, on good terms with themselves
and all the world besides. They had made what they believed to be a
good bargain, and were in the humour for being agreeable.
Moreover, they did not wish to be thought guilty of a wrong, even by
Christian slaves; and they therefore condescended to give some
explanation.
"Suppose," said one of them, "that our partner Bo Muzem should find a
man in Mogador who is willing to ransom you, how much are we to get for
you?"
"One hundred dollars for me," answered the Krooman, "and one hundred and
fifty for each of the others."
"True; and for that we should have to take you there, and be at the
expense of maintaining you on the road?"
"Yes."
"Well, Rais Mourad, this wealthy Moor, has paid us one hundred and fifty
dollars for each of you; and should we not be fools to take you all the
way to Mogador for less money? Besides, we might not get paid anything,
whereas we have received it in cash from Rais Mourad. You are no longer
our slaves, but his."
When the Krooman had made this communication to the others, they saw
that all further parley with the Arab merchants was useless; and that
their destiny was now in the keeping of Rais Mourad.
At Harry's request, the Krooman endeavoured to ascertain in what
direction the Moor was going to take them; but the only information they
received was that Rais Mourad knew his own business, and was not in the
habit of conferring with his slaves as to what he should do with them.
Some of the followers of the Moor now came forward; and the slaves were
ordered back to their penn, where they found some food awaiting them.
They were commanded to eat it immediately, as they were soon to set
forth upon a long journey.
Not one of them, after their cruel disappointment, had any appetite; and
Sailor Bill doggedly declared that he would never taste food again.
"Don't despair, Bill," said Harry; "there is yet hope for us."
"Where, where is it?" exclaimed Colin; "I cannot perceive it."
"If we are constantly changing owners," argued Harry, "we may yet fall
into the hands of some one who will take us to Mogador."
"Is that your only hope?" asked Colin in a tone of disappointment.
"Think of poor Jim," added Bill; "he's 'ad fifty masters, been ten years
in slavery, and not free yet; and no 'ope av it neyther."
"Shall we go quietly with our new master?" asked Colin.
"Yes," answered Harry; "I have had quite enough of resistance, and the
beating that is sure to follow it. My back is raw at this moment. The
next time I make any resistance, it shall be when there is a chance of
gaining something by it, instead of a sound thrashing."
Rais Mourad being unprovided with animals for his slaves to ride upon,
and wishing to travel at a greater speed than they could walk, purchased
four small horses from the sheik of the place. It was during the time
these horses were being caught and made ready for the road, that our
adventurers were allowed to eat their dinner.
Although Harry, as well as the others, had determined on making no
opposition to going along with Rais Mourad, they were very anxious to
learn where he intended to take them.
All the inquiries made by the Krooman, for the purpose of gratifying
this curiosity, only produced the answer, "God knows, and will not tell
you. Why should we do more than He?"
Just as the horses were brought out, and all were nearly ready for a
start, there occurred a commotion at the gate of the town; and next
moment Bo Muzem, accompanied by the grazier, rode in through the
gateway.