He was observed by the quick eye of Golah, who called to him to come away; which he did, but not before quenching his thirst, that did not appear to be very great. On the Krooman's return from the well, he informed Harry that he had spoken to the Arab sheik. He had said, "Buy us. You will get plenty of money for us in Swearah;" and that the reply of the sheik was, "The white slaves are dogs, and not worth buying." "Then we have no hope from that source!" exclaimed Terence. The Krooman shook his head; not despondently, but as if he did not agree in the opinion Terence had expressed. "What! do you think there is any hope?" asked Harry. The man gave a nod of assent. "How? In what way?" The Krooman vouchsafed no explanation, but sauntered silently away. When the sun was within two or three hours of setting over the Saara the Arabs struck their tents and started off in the direction of the dry well, from whence Golah and his caravan had just come. After they had disappeared behind the hill, Golah's son was sent to its top to watch them, while his women and slaves were ordered to strike the tents as quickly as possible. Then waiting till the shades of night had descended over the desert, and the strangers were beyond the reach of vision, Golah gave orders to resume the march once more in a south-easterly direction, which would carry them away from the sea-coast, and, as the white slaves believed, from all chances of their ever recovering their freedom. The Krooman, on the contrary, appeared to be pleased at their taking this direction, notwithstanding the objections he had expressed to going inland. CHAPTER FORTY NINE. A MOMENTOUS INQUIRY. During the night's journey Golah still seemed to have some fear of the Arabs; and so great was the desire to place as much ground as possible between himself and them that he did not halt until the sun was more than two hours above the horizon. For some time before a halt had been planned, Fatima, his favourite wife, had been riding by his side, and making what seemed from the excited movements of both an important communication. After the tents had been pitched, and food was about being served out, Golah commanded the mother of the boy carried by Colin to produce the bag of figs that had been entrusted to her keeping. Trembling with apprehension, the woman rose to obey. The Krooman glanced at the white captives with an expression of horror; and although they had not understood Golah's command, they saw that something was going wrong. The woman produced the bag, which was not quite half full. There were in it about two quarts of dried figs. The figs that had been served out three days before at the dry well had been taken from another bag kept in the custody of Fatima. The one now produced by the second wife should have been full; and Golah demanded to know why it was not. The woman trembling asseverated that she and her children had eaten them.