One of the merchants, placing some confidence in the truth of this representation, now offered to buy Jim and Terence on his own account; but their new master refused to part with his freshly acquired property. A crowd of men, women, and children, had now gathered around the spot; and from all sides were heard shouts of "Kill the obstinate Christian `dogs'. How dare they resist the will of true believers!" This advice was given by those who had no pecuniary interest in the chattels in question; but the merchants, who had invested a large sum in the purchase of their white slaves, had no idea of making such a sacrifice for the gratification of a mere outburst of passion. There was but one way for them to overcome the difficulty that had so unexpectedly presented itself. This was to separate the slaves by force; taking the four along with them, and leaving the other two to the purchaser, who would not revoke his bargain. To accomplish this, the assistance of the bystanders was required, and readily obtained. Harry was seized and hoisted to the back of his camel; to which he was firmly bound. Colin, Bill, and the Krooman, were each set astride of a donkey, and then made fast by having their feet tied under the animal's belly. For a small sum the merchants then engaged two of the bystanders to accompany them, and guard the white slaves to the frontier of the Moorish empire--a distance of two days' journey. Just as the party was about to move away from the spot, one of the merchants, addressing himself to Jim, made the following observations:-- "Tell the young man--the nephew of the merchant `For God's sake bias'-- that since we have started for Swearah, in the belief that his story is true, we shall now take him there, whether he be willing or not; and if he has in any way deceived us, he shall surely die." "He has not deceived you," said Jim; "take him and the rest of us there, and you will certainly be rewarded." "Then, why do they not go willingly?" "Because they do not wish to leave their friends." "Ungrateful dogs! cannot they be thankful for their own good fortune? Do they take us for slaves, that we should do their will?" While this conversation was going go, the other two merchants had headed their animals to the road; and in a minute after, Harry Blount and Colin had parted with their old messmate Terence, without a hope of ever seeing him again. CHAPTER SEVENTY FOUR. HOPE DEFERRED. For the first hour of their journey, Harry, Colin, and Sailor Bill, were borne along, fast bound upon the backs of their animals. So disagreeable did they find this mode of locomotion, that the Krooman was requested to inform their masters that they were willing to accompany them without further opposition, if allowed the freedom of their limbs. This was the first occasion on which the Krooman had made known to the Arab merchants that he could speak their language.