While thus lying extended along the sand, he heard footsteps approaching from the shore; but, believing they were those of the sentinel, he paid no attention to them. He only listened for a repetition of those sounds he fancied to have come from the opposite direction. But nothing was now heard to the eastward; and he came to the conclusion that he had been deceived by an excited fancy. Of one thing, however, he soon became certain. It was, that the footsteps which he supposed to be those of the Arab who kept what Bill called the "larboard watch", were drawing nearer than usual, and that the word "_Akka_" was not pronounced as before. The old sailor slewed himself around and directed his gaze towards the shore. The sound of footsteps was no longer heard, but the figure of a man was perceived at no great distance from the spot. He was not advancing nearer, but standing erect, and apparently gazing sharply about him. Could this man be the Arab sentinel? The latter was known to be short and of slight frame, while the man now seen appeared tall and of stout build. Instead of remaining in his upright attitude, and uttering, as the sentry should have done, the word "_Akka_," the stranger was seen to stoop down, and place his ear close to the earth as if to listen. During a moment or two, while the man's eyes appeared to be turned away from him, the sailor took the precaution to fill the barrel of his pistol with sand. Should he give the alarm by firing off the pistol, and then run towards the camp? No! he might have been deceived by an excited imagination. The individual before him might possibly be the Arab guard trying to discover his presence before giving the sign. While the sailor was thus undecided, the huge form drew nearer, approaching on all-fours. It came within eight or ten paces of the spot, and then slowly assumed an upright position. Bill now saw it was not the sentinel but the black sheik! The old man-o'-war's-man was never more frightened in his life. He thought of discharging the pistol, and running back to the _douar_; but then came the thought that he would certainly be shot down the instant he should rise to his feet; and fear held him motionless. Golah drew nearer and nearer, and the sailor seeing the scimitar uplifted suddenly formed the resolution to act. Projecting the muzzle of his huge pistol towards the black, he pulled the trigger, and at the same instant sprang to his feet. There was a loud deafening report, followed by a yell of wild agony. Bill stayed not to note the effect of his fire; but ran as fast as his legs would carry him towards the camp, already alarmed by the report of the pistol. The Arabs were running to and fro in terrible fear and confusion, shouting as they ran. Amidst these shouts was heard, in the direction from which the sailor had fled, a loud voice frantically calling, "Muley! Muley!"