It was after night when they entered the gate of the village, and nothing could be seen. Next morning they found themselves in the centre of a square enclosure surrounded by about twenty houses standing within a high wall. Flocks of sheep and goats, with a number of horses, camels and donkeys were also within the enclosure.
Jim informed his companions that most of the Saaran Arabs have fixed habitations, where they dwell the greater part of the year, generally walled towns, such as the one they had now entered.
The wall is intended for a protection against robbers, at the same time that it serves as a penn to keep their flocks from straying or trespassing on the cultivated fields during the night-time.
It was soon discovered that the Arabs had arrived at their home; for, as soon as day broke they were seen in company with their wives and families. This accounted for their not making halt at any of the other villages. Being so near their own they had made an effort to reach it without extending their journey into another day.
“I fear we are in the hands of the wrong masters for obtaining our freedom,” said Jim to his companions. “If they were traders they might take us farther north and sell us, but it’s clear they are not! They are graziers, farmers, and robbers when the chance arises, that’s what they be! While waiting for their barley to ripen, they have been on a raiding expedition to the desert in the hope of capturing a few slaves to assist them in reaping their harvest.”
Jim’s conjecture was soon after found to be correct. On the old sheik being asked when he intended taking his slaves on to Swearah, he answered—
“Our barley is now ripe; and we must not leave it to spoil. You must help us in the harvest; and that will enable us to go to Swearah all the sooner.”
“Do you really intend to take your slaves to Swearah?” asked the Krooman.
“Certainly!” replied the sheik. “Have we not promised? But we cannot leave our fields now. Bismillah! our grain must be gathered.”
“It is just as I supposed,” said Jim. “They will promise anything. They do not intend taking us to Mogador at all. The same promise has been made to me by the same sort of people a score of times.”