The camels were immediately brought into a circle, forced to kneel down, while their lading was removed from them.
While this was going on, the white captives heard voices, and the trampling of horses' hoofs.
The black sheik, with his highly educated ear, had detected the approach of strangers. This had caused him to order the halt.
When the noises had approached a little nearer Golah called out in Arabic: "Is it peace?"
"It is," was the answer; and as the strangers drew nearer, the salutations of "Peace be with you!"--"Peace be with all here, and with your friends!" were exchanged.
The caravan they had met consisted of between fifteen and twenty men, some horses and camels; and the sheik who commanded it inquired of Golah from whence he came.
"From the west," answered Golah, giving them to understand that he was travelling the same way as themselves.
"Then why did you not keep on to the well?" was the next inquiry.
"It is too far away," answered Golah. "We are very weary."
"It is not far," said the chief, "not more than half a league. You had better go on."
"No. I think it is more than two leagues, and we shall wait till morning."
"_We_ shall not. I know the well is not far away, and we shall reach it to-night."
"Very well," said Golah, "go, and may God be with you. But stay, masters, have you a camel to sell?"
"Yes, a good one. It is a little fatigued now, but will be strong in the morning."
Golah was aware that any camel they would sell him that night would be one that could only move with much difficulty,--one that they despaired of getting any further on the way. The black sheik knew his own business best; and was willing they should think they had cheated him in the bargain.
After wrangling for a few minutes, he succeeded in buying their camel,--the price being a pair of blankets, a shirt, and the dirk that had been taken from Terence. The camel had no cargo; and had for some time been forced onward at considerable trouble to its owner.
The strangers soon took their departure, going off in the direction of the dry well. As soon as they were out of sight Golah gave orders to reload the animals, and resume the interrupted march. To excite the slaves to a continuance of the journey, he promised that the camel he had purchased should be slaughtered on the next morning for their breakfast; and that they should have a long rest in the shade of the tents during the following day.