RAIS MOURAD.
Six days 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 with 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 upon their feet; and were then examined by
the Moor in a manner that awakened suspicion 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 vest or girdle.
A pair of small yellow Morocco-leather boots were seen beneath trowsers
of great width, made of the finest satin, and on his head was worn a
turban of 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
trappings of which were made from the finest and most delicately shaded
leathers, bestudded beautifully with precious metals and stones.
The appearance of his whole retinue gave evidence that he was some
personage of wealth and influence.
After he had examined the slaves, he retired with the two merchants; and
shortly afterwards the Krooman learnt from one of the 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 them 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!"
Reaching forth from the pens that had been allowed them for a residence,
the young Englishman, followed by his companions, started towards the
dwelling of the sheik, to which 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 witness a
scene of anger and grief.
"Why have you sold us?" asked the Krooman when the merchant came forth.
"Have you not promised that we should be taken to Swearah, and has not
one gone there to obtain the money for our ransom?"
The merchants were on good terms with themselves and all the world
besides. They had made what they believed to be a good bargain; and were
in a humor 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 master Bo Muzem should find a man
in Swearah 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 to Swearah, and be at the
expense of feeding you along the road?"
"Yes."
"Well, Rais Mourad, a wealthy Moor, has paid us one hundred and fifty
dollars for each of you; and would we not be fools to take you all the
way to Swearah for less money? Besides we might never get paid at
Swearah,--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 fate was now in the hands of Rais Mourad.
At Harry's request, the Krooman endeavored 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 pen, 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 for
eating; 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 can't 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 hope on 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, besides 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, and it was during the time these
horses were being caught and made ready for the road, that the slaves
were allowed to eat their dinner.
Although Harry, as well as the others, had determined on making no
opposition to going away 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
their curiosity, only produced the answer, "God knows, and will not tell
you. Why should we do more than Him?"
Just as the horses were brought out, and all were nearly ready for a
start, there was heard a commotion at the gate of the town; and next
moment Bo Muzem, accompanied by three other Arabs, rode in through the
gateway.