One of them gave a name which created quite a commotion in the village, all seeming eager to receive the owner with some show of hospitality.
The merchants sat up to a late hour, in company with these strangers and the sheik of the place.
Notwithstanding this, they were astir upon the following morning before daybreak, busied in making preparations to renew their journey.
Our adventurers, on being allowed some breakfast, were commanded to eat it in all haste, and then assist in preparing the animals for the road.
They were also informed that they were to be taken back to the Saara, and sold.
“Shall we go, or die?” asked Colin. “I, for one, had rather die than again pass through the hardships of a journey in the desert.”
Neither of the others made any reply to this. The spirit of despair had taken too strong a hold upon them.
The merchants were themselves obliged to caparison the animals; and just as they were about to use some strong arguments to induce their refractory slaves to mount, they were told that “El Haji” (“the pilgrim”) wished to have an interview with the Christians.
Soon after, one of the strangers who had entered the town the night before, was seen slowly approaching.
He was a tall, venerable-looking Arab, with a long white beard reaching down to the middle of his breast.