“Were they Englishmen?” asked Jim.
“No, Spaniards.”
“I thought so. Englishmen would certainly have been ransomed.”
“That is not so certain,” replied the merchant; “the English may not always have a consul in Mogador to buy up his countrymen.”
“We do not care whether there is one or not,” answered Jim. “One of the young fellows you see here has an uncle, a rich merchant in Mogador, who will ransom not only him, but all his friends. The three young men you see are officers of an English ship of war. They have rich fathers in England, all of them grand sheiks; and they were learning to be captains of war-ships, when they were lost on this coast. The uncle of one of them in Mogador will redeem the whole party of us.”
“Which is he who has the rich uncle?” inquired one of the Arabs.
Jim pointed to Harry Blount, saying, “That is the youngster. His uncle owns many great vessels that come every year to Swearah, laden with rich cargoes.”
“What is the name of this uncle?”
To give an appearance of truth to his story, Jim knew that it was necessary for some of the others to say something that would confirm it; and turning towards Harry, he muttered, “Master Blount, you are expected to say something, only two or three words; anything you like!”
“For God’s sake, get them to buy us!” said Harry, in complying with the strange request made to him.