“Go on, Terry,” muttered Colin. “He don’t mean you any harm.”
At this instant Fatima stepped out from the tent, armed with her husband’s scimitar, and apparently anxious for an opportunity of using it.
Acting under the advice of the others, Terence sprang to his feet, and advanced to the spot where the sheik was standing. The Krooman who spoke English was then called up; and Golah, taking him and the midshipman each by a hand, led them into his tent, whither they were followed by Fatima.
The sheik now addressed a few words to the Krooman, who then told Terence that his life depended on perfect obedience to Golah’s orders. His hands were to be tied, and he must not call out so as to be heard by the others.
“He say,” said the Krooman, “if you no make fight, and no make noise, he no kill you.”
The man further counselled Terence to submit quietly, saying the least resistance would lead to all the white slaves being killed.
Though possessing more than average strength and power for a youth of his age, Terence knew that, in a strife with the gigantic black sheik, he would not have the slightest chance of being victor.
Should he shout to his companions, and have them all act in concert, as they had already proposed?
No. Such an act would most likely lead to two of them being shot, to the third having his brains knocked out with the butt-end of a musket; and to the fourth, himself, being strangled in the powerful grasp of Golah, if not beheaded with the scimitar in the hands of Fatima. On reflection, the young Scotchman yielded, and permitted his hands to be tied behind his back! so, too, did the Krooman.
Golah now stepped out of the tent, and immediately after returned, leading Harry Blount along with him.