“It is too far away,” answered Golah. “We are very weary.”
“It is not far,” said the chief, “not more than half a league. You had better go on.”
“No. I think it is more than two leagues, and we shall wait till morning.”
“We shall not. I know the well is not far away; and we shall reach it to-night.”
“Very well,” said Golah; “go, and may God be with you. But stay, masters, have you a camel to sell?”
“Yes, a good one. It is a little fatigued now, but will be strong in the morning.”
Golah was aware that any camel they would sell him that night would be one that could only move with much difficulty, one that they despaired of getting any farther on the way. The black sheik knew his own business best; and was willing they should think they had cheated him in the bargain.
After wrangling for a few minutes, he succeeded in buying their camel, the price being a pair of blankets, a shirt, and the dirk that had been taken from Terence. The camel had no cargo; and had for some time been forced onward at considerable trouble to its owner.
The strangers soon took their departure, going off in the direction of the dry well. As soon as they were out of sight Golah gave orders to reload the animals, and resume the interrupted march. To excite the slaves to a continuance of the journey, he promised that the camel he had purchased should be slaughtered on the next morning for their breakfast; and that they should have a long rest in the shade of the tents during the following day.
This promise, undoubtedly, had the anticipated effect in revivifying their failing energies, and they managed to move on until near daybreak, when the camel lately purchased laid itself down, and philosophically resisted every attempt at compelling it to continue the journey.