Jim immediately entered into conversation with them, and learned that they were merchants, travelling with a caravan, and that they had claimed the hospitality of the town for that night. They were willing to purchase slaves, and had visited the penn to examine those their hosts were offering for sale. "You are just the men we are most anxious to see," said Jim, in the Arabic language, which, during his long residence in the country, he had become acquainted with, and could speak fluently. "We want some merchant to buy us, and take us to Mogador, where we may find friends to ransom us." "I once bought two slaves," rejoined one of the merchants, "and at great expense took them to Mogador. They told me that their consul would be sure to redeem them, but I found that they had no consul there. They were not redeemed, and I had to bring them away again, losing all the trouble and expense of a long journey." "Were they Englishmen?" asked Jim. "No, Spaniards." "I thought so. Englishmen would certainly have been ransomed." "That is not so certain," replied the merchant; "the English may not always have a consul in Mogador to buy up his countrymen." "We do not care whether there is one or not," answered Jim. "One of the young fellows you see here has an uncle, a rich merchant in Mogador, who will ransom not only him, but all his friends. The three young men you see are officers of an English ship of war. They have rich fathers in England, all of them grand sheiks; and they were learning to be captains of war-ships, when they were lost on this coast. The uncle of one of them in Mogador will redeem the whole party of us." "Which is he who has the rich uncle?" inquired one of the Arabs. Jim pointed to Harry Blount, saying, "That is the youngster. His uncle owns many great vessels that come every year to Swearah, laden with rich cargoes." "What is the name of this uncle?" To give an appearance of truth to his story, Jim knew that it was necessary for some of the others to say something that would confirm it; and turning towards Harry, he muttered, "Master Blount, you are expected to say something, only two or three words; anything you like!" "For God's sake, get them to buy us!" said Harry, in complying with the strange request made to him. Believing that the name he must give to the Arabs should something resemble in sound the words Harry had spoken, Jim told them that the name of the Mogador merchant was "For God's sake buy us." After repeating these words two or three times, the Arabs were able to pronounce them, after a fashion. "Ask the young man," commanded one of them, "if he is sure the merchant `For-God's-sake-bias' will ransom you all?" "When I am done speaking to you," said Jim, whispering to Harry, "say Yes! nod your head, and then utter some words!" "Yes!" exclaimed Harry, giving his head an abrupt inclination. "I think I know what you are trying to do, Jim. All right!"