Silence having been partially restored, the old Arab was seen to step up to the spot where the slaves of the black sheik were assembled; and, after carefully scrutinising them, pick out three of the stoutest, plumpest, and healthiest young negroes in the gang. These were separated from the others, and placed on the plain some distance apart.
“We’re to be exchanged,” muttered Terence, “we’re to belong to the ugly black nayger. Well, perhaps it’s better. We’ll be with Old Bill.”
“Stay a wee,” said Colin; “there’s something more to come yet, I think.”
The black sheik at this moment coming up, interrupted the conversation of the captives.
What was he going to do? Take them with him, they supposed. The old Arab had himself led out the three young “darkies”; and the black sheik was about to act in like manner with the trio of white captives.
So reasoned they; and, as it was a matter of indifference to them with which they went, they would offer no opposition.
To their chagrin, however, instead of all three, only one of them was led off; the other two being commanded by gestures to keep their ground.
It was O’Connor to whom this partiality was shown; the black sheik having selected him after a short while spent in scrutinising and comparing the three. The Irish youth was of stouter build than either of his shipmates; and this, perhaps, guided the black sheik in making his choice. By all appearances, the conditions of the exchange were to be different from what our adventurers had anticipated. It was not to be man for man, or boy for boy; but three for one, three blacks to a white.
This was, in reality, the terms that had been agreed upon. The avaricious old Arab, not caring very much to part with his share of the spoil, would not take less than three to one; and to this the black sheik, after long and loud bargaining, had consented.
Terence was led up and placed alongside the three young darkies, who, instead of taking things as seriously as he, were exhibiting their ivories in broad grins of laughter, as if the disposal of their persons was an affair to be treated only as a joke.