They were allowed to lie down, covered up with pieces of camels’ hair cloth, which one of the Arabs gave them. They woke before daylight. Jumbo was sitting up by their side.
“Who is this robber chief; have you been able to learn anything about him?” asked Roger.
“He called Sheik Beirouc, great man in his own country; me fear he make us all slavee,” answered Jumbo.
“Tell him that we would pay him well if he will liberate us and send us back to England,” said Stephen.
“He no trust us till he see de money in his hand,” answered Jumbo, “and dat de difficulty.”
“So it is, but we must manage to overcome it,” said Stephen. “Speak fair, and say that we are grateful to him for having given us food and this cloth to cover us.”
Jumbo promised to do as he was directed.
At daybreak the whole camp was astir, when the Arabs went down on their knees looking towards Mecca to say their prayers, an impressive sight, for every man seemed in earnest. Soon afterwards the Sheik approached and inquired whether Stephen and Roger could ride.
“Tell him, since we were children,” answered Stephen. “If he will let us have horses we will show him.”
Some more dates and water were brought them for breakfast, shortly after which a man appeared leading two active little steeds. The lads, supposing that they were for them, leaped into the saddles, and at once galloped off into the open country.