The seamen pursued them along the ridge of the hill, cutting down all they overtook; but the larger number saved themselves by the fleetness of their feet. A party of them kept together, however, and made their way towards the group of slaves, in the hope, as it seemed, of carrying them off. The seamen were, however, at their heels before they could accomplish their object; and they were glad to make their escape into the desert, leaving their captives in the hands of the victors. Hamed, who had followed them, was soon able to calm the fears of the blacks, whose bonds were speedily loosed, and their necks relieved from the forked sticks. A spot which could be easily defended, should the Arabs venture to attack them, was selected for their night encampment. The ground being too uneven to allow them to travel in the dark, it was necessary to remain till the next morning to return to the ship. They had brought an ample supply of provisions, and the Arabs had compelled the slaves to carry food for themselves. The low shrubs growing on the hillside afforded an abundance of fuel; camp-fires were soon lighted, and pots set boiling. Altogether, the midshipmen made themselves perfectly happy. The other officers sat round the fire, recounting their various adventures; Archie's party had met two or three wild beasts, and been threatened on their road by the Arabs who had escaped from the wrecked dhow, but they kept them at a distance with their firearms; and the fellows had not dared to attack them till, joined by other parties proceeding to the coast, they gained confidence from superior numbers. "They must be remarkably bad shots," observed Archie; "for though they had thirty muskets among them, at the least, not one of us has been hit." In the morning they returned to the ship, having seen nothing more of the Arabs, who thought it prudent to keep at a distance from the hated Feringhees. CHAPTER THIRTEEN. SIX MONTHS PASS AWAY--THE GAUNTLET GOES IN SEARCH OF THE ROMP--JACK STANDS BY HER--"BREAKERS AHEAD"--ANXIOUS SUSPENSE--PROBABLE FATE OF THE ROMP--JACK PROCEEDS TO ZANZIBAR--SEARCH FOR ADAIR--DESMOND AND HAMED CAPTURED BY ARABS--ADAIR AND HIS COMPANIONS RESCUED--OPAL AND GAUNTLET AT THE CAPE--A BALL ON SHORE--JACK MEETS AN OLD FRIEND--FALLS IN LOVE-- RETURN TO ENGLAND--PROSPECT OF WAR WITH RUSSIA--MASSACRE OF SINOPE--THE THREE COMMANDERS APPOINTED TO SHIPS.