FURTHER DEFECTION.
Notwithstanding that Golah's brother-in-law, who had formerly been a
freeman, was now a slave, he seemed well satisfied with the change in
his circumstances.
He made himself very useful to his new masters in looking after the
camel, and doing all the other necessary work which his knowledge of
Saaeran life enabled him effectually to execute.
When the Arab caravan came to a halt on the evening of his first day's
journey along with it, he assisted in unloading the camels, putting the
hopples on them, pitching the tents, and doing anything else which was
required to be done.
While the other slaves were eating the small portion of food allowed
them, one of the camels formerly belonging to Golah--a young and fleet
maherry that had been ridden by Fatima, strayed a short distance from
the douar. Seeing it the black sheik's brother-in-law, who had been
making himself so useful, ran after the animal as if to fetch it back.
He was seen passing beyond the camel, as though he intended turning it
toward the camp; but in another instant it was discovered that he had no
such design. The youth was seen to spring to the back of the maherry,
lay hold of its hump, and ride rapidly away. Accustomed to hearing the
sound of his voice, the faithful and intelligent animal obeyed his words
of command. Its neck was suddenly craned out towards the north; and its
feet were flung forward in long strides that bore its rider rapidly away
from the rest. The incident caused a tremendous commotion in the
caravan. It was so wholly unexpected, that none of the Arabs were
prepared to intercept the fugitive. The guard for the night had not been
appointed. They were all seated on the ground, engaged in devouring
their evening repast, and before a musket could be discharged at the
runaway, he had got so far into the glimmering twilight that the only
effect of two or three shots fired after him was to quicken the pace of
the maherry on which he was fleeing.
Two fleet horses were instantly saddled and mounted, one by the owner of
the camel that had been stolen, and the other by the owner of the slave
who had stolen it.
Each, arming himself with musket and scimitar, felt sure of recapturing
the runaway. Their only doubt arose from the knowledge of the swiftness
of the maherry, and that its rider was favored by the approaching
darkness.
The whole encampment was by this time under arms and after the departure
of the pursuers, the sheik gathered all the slaves together, and swore
by the beard of the Prophet that they should all be killed, and that he
would set the example by killing the two belonging to himself, which
were Harry Blount and the Krooman. Several of his followers proceeded to
relieve their excitement by each beating the slave or slaves that were
his own property, and amongst these irate slave-owners was the master of
Sailor Bill. The old man-o-war's-man was cudgelled till his objections
to involuntary servitude were loudly expressed, and in the strongest
terms that English, Scotch, and Irish could furnish for the purpose.
When the rage of the old sheik had to some extent subsided, he procured
a leathern thong, and declared that his two slaves should be fast bound,
and never released as long as they remained in his possession.
"Talk to him," exclaimed Harry to the Krooman; "tell him, in his own
language, that God is great, and that he is a fool! We don't wish to
escape,--certainly not at present."
Thus counselled, the Krooman explained to the sheik that the white
slaves, as well as himself, who had sailed in English ships, had no
intention of running away, but wished to be taken north, where they
might be ransomed; and that they were not such fools as to part from him
in a place where they would certainly starve. The Krooman also informed
the sheik that they were all very glad at being taken out of the hands
of Golah, who would have carried them to Timbuctoo, whence they never
could have returned, but must have ended their days in slavery.
While the Krooman was talking to the sheik, several of the others came
up and listened. The black further informed them that the white slaves
had friends living in Agadeer and Swearah (Santa Cruz and
Mogador),--friends who would pay a large price to ransom them. Why,
then, should they try to escape while journeying towards the place where
those friends were living?
The Krooman went on to say that the young man who had just made off was
Golah's brother-in-law; that, unlike themselves, in going north he would
not be seeking freedom but perpetual slavery, and for that reason he had
gone to rejoin Golah and his son.
This explanation seemed so reasonable to the Arabs, that their fears for
the safety of their slaves soon subsided, and the latter were permitted
to repose in peace.
As a precautionary measure, however, two men were kept moving in a
circle around the douar throughout the whole of the night; but no
disturbance arose, and morning returned without bringing back the two
men who had gone in pursuit of the cunning runaway.
The distance to the next watering-place was too great to admit of any
delay being made; and the journey was resumed, in the hope that the two
missing men would be met on the way.
This hope was realized.
All along the route the old sheik, who rode in advance, kept scanning
the horizon, not only ahead, but to the right and left of their course.
About ten miles from their night's halting-place he was seen to swerve
suddenly from his course, and advance towards something that had
attracted his attention. His followers hastened after him,--all except
the two women and their children, who lingered a long way behind.
Lying on the ground, their bodies contiguous to each other, were the two
Arabs who had gone in pursuit of the runaway.
They were both dead.
One of them had been shot with a musket ball that had penetrated his
skull, entering directly between his temples. The other had been cut
down with a scimitar, his body being almost severed in twain.
The youth who had fled the night before, had evidently come up with
Golah and his son; and the two men who had pursued him had lost their
lives, their animals, muskets, and scimitars.
Golah now had two accomplices, and the three were well mounted and well
armed.
The anger of the Arabs was frightful to behold. They turned towards the
two women whom they knew to be Golah's wives. The latter had thrown
themselves on their knees and were screaming and supplicating for mercy.
Some of the Arabs would have killed them on the instant; but were
prevented by the old sheik, who, although himself wild with rage, had
still sufficient reason left to tell him that the unfortunate women were
not answerable for the acts of their husband. Our adventurers found
reason to regret the misfortune that had befallen their new masters; for
they could not but regard with alarm the returning power of Golah.
"We shall fall into his hands again," exclaimed Terence. "He will kill
all these Arabs one after another, and obtain all he has lost, ourselves
included. We shall yet be driven to Timbuctoo."
"Then we should deserve it," cried Harry, "for it will partly be our own
fault, if ever we fall into Golah's power again."
"I don't think so," said Bill, "Golah is a wondersome man, and as got
somethin' more nor human natur' to 'elp 'im. I think as 'ow if we should
see 'im 'alf a mile off, signalizin' for us to follow 'im, we should
'ave to go. I've tried my hand at disobeyin' his orders, and don't do it
again,--not if I knows it."
The expressions of anger hitherto portrayed on the countenances of the
Arabs, had given place to those of anxiety. They knew that an enemy was
hovering around them,--an enemy whom they had wronged,--whose power they
had undervalued, and whom they had foolishly restored to liberty.
The bodies of their companions were hastily interred in the sand, and
their journey northward was once more resumed.