M. Périères summoned one of the Nubians, who had been appointed to the post of overseer, and told him to take one of the drums which hung on the mast and give such a roll on it that the meaning of the signal could not be mistaken.
The man obeyed, but the noise did not produce any visible effect on those on board the neighbouring boats. They, one and all, remained perfectly silent and passive.
Then the two young men, in astonishment and something akin to alarm, despatched the Nubian in search of Nassar, who turned up in a few moments in a state of exasperation.
"What is the matter?" asked M. de Morin, curtly.
"The matter is," replied the guide, "that our men refuse to tow the boats as they did yesterday."
"Why?"
"The escort say that they were engaged to protect you and to defend you in case of attack, but not to do any hauling work."
"And their companions—what do they say?"
"Much the same; they were engaged as bearers, and nobody has a right to make them do anything in connection with the boats."
"They have no other motives for their refusal to work than these?"