M. Périères stopped him.
"My dear fellow," said he, "I beg of you not to do anything until you have heard what I have to say. Our guide appears to possess great influence over these men, who, as a rule, both fear and obey him. If, in spite of the reproofs which he has administered, the blows which he has struck, they persist in their disobedience, it shows that the plot is a serious business. We must put an end to it, of course; in that I am entirely with you. But do not let us waste our strength, I beg of you. What were you going to do? Give an order to crack the ringleader's skull, in case of resistance? We shall, no doubt, be reduced to that extremity some day, but, possibly, just now, we might find some other method of intimidation."
"Do you know of any?" asked M. de Morin.
"I think I do. Will you let me try it?"
"With all the pleasure in life. I do not care about killing anybody;
I only insist, in the common interest, upon being obeyed."
"And so you shall—I answer for it."
M. Périères called Nassar, who had discreetly withdrawn, and asked him at what hour the men usually breakfasted.
"At seven o'clock," answered the guide.
"Where are their rations for this morning?"
"On the overseer's boat. They are now getting ready the durra and the meat you promised them yesterday as a reward for their exertions."