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Updated: June 15, 2025
With this opinion their Krooman captive did not agree; and, fearing to fall again into the possession of Golah, he laboured to convince his new master that they were as likely that night to receive a visit from the black sheik as they had ever been before.
When the slaves, camels, tents, and articles that had been gathered from the wreck were distributed amongst the eleven Arabs, each one took the charge of his own; but there still remained Golah, his wives and their children, to be disposed of. No one seemed desirous of becoming the owner of the black sheik and his wives.
They offered him two camels, and the choice of one wife out of the three, on condition he should go back to his own country and return to the desert no more. These terms Golah indignantly refused, and declared that he would rather die in defence of his rights. Golah was a pure negro, and one of a class of traders much disliked by the Arabs.
Even the Krooman could not explain it; and as the shades of night descended over the desert, the mother separated from her child, perhaps never more to embrace it in this world of wickedness and woe. About two hours before daybreak, on the morning after the departure of Golah, there was an alarm in the douar, which created amongst the Arabs a wonderful excitement.
It meant refusal; but the young Englishman had also become impressed with the danger suggested by Terence: that Golah would yet kill all the Arabs and take the boy slaves back to Timbuctoo. "Tell the sheik that he is an old fool," said he to the interpreter; "tell him that we have a greater objection to falling into the hands of Golah than he has of losing either us or his own life.
Our adventurers found reason to regret the misfortune that had befallen their new masters; for they could not but regard with alarm the returning power of Golah. "We shall fall into his hands again," exclaimed Terence. "He will kill all these Arabs, one after another, and obtain all he has lost, ourselves included. We shall yet be driven to Timbuctoo."
Every article that had been obtained from the wreck was now exposed to view, and a fixed price set upon it. The slaves were carefully examined and valued, as well as the camels, muskets, and everything that had belonged to Golah or his dependants. When these preliminary arrangements had been completed, the Arabs proceeded to an equitable partition of of the property.
"Tell them I must have water or die," muttered Harry to the Krooman, in a hoarse whisper. "I am worth money, and if old Golah lets me die for want of a drop of water, he's a fool." The Krooman refused to make the communication, which he declared would only result in bringing ill-treatment upon himself. Colin appealed to Golah's son, and by signs gave him to understand that they must have water.
This answer to the sheik's civil request was communicated by the Krooman; and, for a moment, Golah seemed puzzled as to how he should act. He would not kill the slave, after saying that he must go on; nor would he have him carried, since the man would then gain his point. He stood for a minute meditating on what was to be done. Then a hideous smile stole over his features.
They had gone to rejoin the man whose voice had been heard calling "Muley!" But where was the Arab sentry? Had another of the party fallen a victim to the vengeance of Golah? Taking the Krooman by one arm, the Arab sheik led him up to the old man-o'-war's-man; who, sailor-like, having finished his watch, had gone to sleep.
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