“Igela, Ali Mustaf, Ben Ahmet and a gang of black-skinned fellers, all armed to the teeth. They rode away after a caravan. I was jest ramblin’ araound, an’ I got outside the city, so that’s haow I happened to see um go.”

“Are you sure it was Igela?”

“Yep. She saw me.”

“She did?”

“Yep. So did Ben Ahmet. By thutteration! it’s a mighty good thing I’ve got long laigs. Ef I hedn’t I wouldn’t be here naow. Old Ben sot three uv them black fellers arter me, an’ yeou’d oughter seen me tear up the dust an’ git aout uv that. They chased me a piece, yellin’ like mad, but I got erway, an’ here I be.”

Frank took a quick turn up and down the room.

“So they have dragged Igela away!” he muttered. “Without doubt, they are bound for Fez and the castle of Bab-el-Maroc. I shall follow.”


CHAPTER VII.
A MAD VENTURE.

Frank was determined. Professor Scotch objected in vain. He appealed to Ephraim, and the Yankee lad said: