To divide the camp, and send some after their enemies, was pronounced impolitic; the party sent in pursuit, and that left to guard the caravan, either would be too weak if attacked by their truculent enemy. In union alone was strength, and they resolved to remain together, believing that they should have a visit from Golah again, while better prepared to receive him. The footprints leading out from the two ravines were traced for about a mile in the direction they wished to follow. The tracks of camels and horses were there found; and they could tell by the signs that their enemies had mounted and ridden off towards the west. They possibly might have avoided meeting Golah again by going eastward; but, from their knowledge of the desert, no water was to be found in that direction in less than five days' journey. Moreover, they did not yet wish to avoid him. They thirsted for revenge, and were impatient to move on; for a journey of two days was still before them before they could hope to arrive at the nearest water. When every preparation had been made to resume their route, there was one obstacle in the way of their taking an immediate departure. Their wounded companion was not yet defunct. They saw it would be impossible for him to live much longer; for the lower part of his body, all below the shattered portion of the spine, appeared already without life. A few hours at most would terminate his sufferings; but for the expiration of those few hours, or minutes, as fate should decide, his companions seemed unwilling to wait. They dug a hole in the sand near where the wounded man was lying. This was but the work of a few minutes. As soon as the grave was completed, the eyes of all were once more turned upon the wretched sufferer. He was still alive, and by piteous moans expressing the agony he was enduring. "Bismillah!" exclaimed the old sheik, "why do you not die, my friend? We are waiting for the fulfilment of your destiny." "I am dead," ejaculated the sufferer, speaking in a faint voice, and apparently with great difficulty. Having said this, he relapsed into silence and remained motionless as a corpse. The sheik then placed one hand upon his temples. "Yes!" he exclaimed, "the words of our friend are those of truth and wisdom. He is dead." The wounded man was then rolled into the cavity which had been scooped out, and they hastily proceeded to cover him with sand. As they did so, his hands were repeatedly uplifted, while a low moaning came from his lips; but his movements were apparently unseen, and his cries of agony unnoticed. His companions remained both deaf and blind to any evidence that might refute his own assertion that he was dead. The sand was at length heaped up so as to completely cover his body, when by an order from the old sheik his followers turned away from the spot and the kafila moved on. CHAPTER FIFTY EIGHT. ONCE MORE BY THE SEA.