This argument was conclusive; and the young darkey was placed upon Colin’s shoulders, with its legs around his neck, and one of its hands grasping him tightly by the hair.
When this arrangement was completed, night had drawn near; and the two young men who acted as guards hastened forward to select a place for the douar.
There was no danger of any of the slaves making an attempt to escape; for all were too anxious to receive the small quantity of food that was to be allowed them at the night halt.
Encumbered with the “piccaninny,” and wearied with the long ceaseless struggle through the sand, Colin lingered behind his companions. The mother of the child, apparently attentive to the welfare of her firstborn, checked the progress of her maherry, and rode back to him.
After the camels had been unloaded, and the tents pitched, Golah superintended the serving out of their suppers, which consisted only of sangleh. The quantity was even less than had been given the evening before; but it was devoured by the white captives with a pleasure none of them had hitherto experienced.
Sailor Bill declared that the brief time in which he was employed in consuming the few mouthfuls allowed him was a moment of enjoyment that repaid him for all the sufferings of the day.
“Ah! Master ’Arry,” said he, “it’s only now we are larnin’ to live, although I did think, one time to-day, we was just larnin’ to die. I never mean to eat again until I’m hungry. Master Terry,” he added, turning to the young Irishman, “isn’t this foine livin’ intirely? and are yez not afther bein’ happy?”
“’Tis the most delicious food man ever ate,” answered Terence; “and the only fault I can find is, that there is not enough of it.”
“Then you may have what is left of mine,” said Colin, “for I can’t say that I fancy it.”
Harry, Terence, and the sailor, gazed at the young Scotchman with expressions of mingled alarm and surprise. Small as had been the amount of sangleh with which Colin had been served, he had not eaten more than one half of it.