The Arab sheik conferred with his followers; and there arose a brief controversy among them. The trouble they had with their gigantic captive, the difficulty they anticipated in disposing of him, and their belief that he was a good Mussulman, were arguments in favour of granting his request, and setting him at liberty. It was therefore decided to let him go, on the conditions of his taking his departure at once. Golah consented; and they proceeded to untie his hands. While this was being done, the Krooman ran up to Colin's master, and cautioned him to protect his slave until the sheik had departed. This warning was unnecessary, for Golah had other and more serious thoughts to engage his mind than that of any animosity he might once have felt against the young Scotchman. "I am free," said Golah, when his hands were untied. "We are equals, and Mussulmans. I claim your hospitality. Give me some food and drink." He then stepped forward to the well, and quenched his thirst, after which some boiled camel meat was placed before him. While he was appeasing an appetite that had been two days in gaining strength, Fatima, who had observed a strange expression in his eyes, appeared to be in great consternation. She had believed him doomed to a life of slavery, if not to death; and this belief had influenced her in her late actions. Gliding up to the Arab sheik, she entreated to be separated from her husband; but the only answer she received was, that Golah should have either of the three wives he chose to take, that he (the sheik) and his companions were men of honour, who would not break the promise they had given. A goat's-skin of water, some barley meal, for making sangleh, and a few other necessary articles, were placed on a camel, which was delivered over to Golah. The black sheik then addressed a few words in some African language to his son; and, calling Fatima to follow him, he started off across the desert. CHAPTER FIFTY FIVE. FATIMA'S FATE. A complete change had come over the fortunes of Fatima. Vain, cruel, and tyrannical but the moment before, she was now humbled to the dust of the desert. In place of commanding her fellow wives, she now approached them with entreaties, begging them to take charge of her child, which she seemed determined to leave behind her. Both willingly assented to her wishes. Our adventurers were puzzled by this circumstance; for there appeared to be no reason that Fatima should leave her offspring behind her. Even the Krooman could not explain it; and as the shades of night descended over the desert, the mother separated from her child, perhaps never more to embrace it in this world of wickedness and woe. About two hours before daybreak, on the morning after the departure of Golah, there was an alarm in the _douar_, which created amongst the Arabs a wonderful excitement.