“Is this the way you Arabs treat your followers?” asked Ned, who felt indignant at the apparent cruelty of the chiefs.
“They are but slaves,” answered Sayd in a careless tone. “Necessity has no law; let us go forward, or their fate may be ours.”
“Onwards, onwards!” was the cry. The chiefs shouted to their people to keep together, for already many were straggling behind. They had started, feeling confident that by their numbers all difficulties would be overcome, but had they mustered ten thousand men the same fate by which they were now threatened might have overtaken them. Even young Hassan, generally so joyous and dauntless, began to complain; but Sambroko took him by the arm and helped him along, every now and then applying his water-bottle to his lips.
Among the pagazis Ned had observed a young man of pleasing countenance, who had always been amongst the merriest of the merry, though his load was heavier than that of many. He had never complained, but was now staggering along endeavouring to keep up with the rest. Ned, seeing how much he was suffering, offered him a draught from his own water-bottle.
“Stop!” cried Sayd. “You will want it for yourself.”
“I cannot disappoint him,” answered Ned, as he poured the water down the lad’s throat.
The young pagazi’s countenance brightened, and he uttered an expression of gratitude as he again attempted to follow his companions.
“I should like to carry some of his load,” said Ned. “He is younger than the rest, and it is too much for him. Here! let me help you along,” he added, making signs of his intention.
“You will bring contempt on yourself if you do that,” observed Sayd. “No Arab would demean himself by carrying a load.”
“An Englishman thinks nothing derogatory when necessary,” answered Ned, taking the package off the shoulders of the youth, who, while he expressed his gratitude, seemed much astonished at the offer being made.