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Golah's reply to this information was, that he doubted its truth; that he did not like seaport towns; that his business lay away from the sea; and that he was anxious to reach Timbuctoo as soon as possible.
He was the principal guard over the slaves, in which duty he was assisted by another youth, whom our adventurers afterwards learnt was a brother of one of Golah's wives.
The Krooman believed that Golah's going south, as reported by the party met at the well, was proof that he really intended proceeding north; and he urged the Arab sheik to set a good guard over the douar through the night. "Tell him," said Harry, "if they are not inclined to keep guard for themselves, that we will stand it, if they will only allow us to have weapons of some kind or other."
Two ship's muskets, that had been taken from Golah's party, were also missing. They had been extracted from a tent in which two of the Arabs had slept, two of the four who were now preparing to search for the missing property. The sheik became alarmed.
"Dis be de track ob Golah," said the Krooman to Harry, after he had examined it. "He make um when runnin' 'way after he fire da musket." "Very likely," said Harry; "but how do you know it is Golah's track?" "'Cause Golah hab largess feet in all de world, and no feet but his make dat mark."
"He no like us," he remarked to the whites. "He nebba be slave. Bom-bye you see him go dead." While Golah's mind appeared to be stunned almost to unconsciousness by the refusal of Fatima to obey his orders, his other two wives were moving about, as if engaged in some domestic duty.
The Krooman having some knowledge of the Arabic language, soon established himself in the good opinion of his new master. While the Arabs were discussing the most available mode to obtain revenge for the murder of their companion, as well as to regain possession of the property they had lost, the Krooman, skilled in Golah's character, volunteered to assist them by a little advice.
When this communication was made to the old sheik it seemed to strike him as having some reason in it; and, convinced by the Krooman's arguments that there was still danger to be apprehended from Golah's vengeance, he directed that the douar should be strictly guarded, and that the white slaves might take part in the duty.
The two women, who led the camels loaded with articles taken from the wreck, had advanced about three hundred yards from the place; and were now, along with the black slaves, surrounded by a party of men mounted on maherries and horses. Golah's fear of the Arabs met by the well had not been without a cause.
On arriving near the place where the camels were, the young man we have described as Golah's brother-in-law was found to be in charge of them. He was lying on the ground; but on the approach of the Arabs, he sprang to his feet, at the same time holding up both hands. He carried no weapon; and the gesture signified, "It is peace."
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