A Modern Telemachus

gin to twinkle

es, the slow moo

many voices. Co

nys

he other three slaves busied in making bales of the merchandise; but the master, as well as the Abyssinian, Fareek, and the little negro were all missing. Bekir, who was a kind of foreman, and looked on the new white slave with some jealousy, rou

d tried first to lure, then to drag him away, and finally remained to watch the process of packing up. Though Bekir was too disdainful to reply to his fellow-slave's questions, Arthur picked up from answers to the Moors who came down that Yusuf had recollected that he had not fin

as asleep, must be carried into the tent, and not disturbed: for though the Cabyles had not purchased him, there was no affording to loose anything of so much value. Moreover, observing Ulysse still hovering round the Scot, he sa

an ye gar yon wean keep a quiet sough, i

d stammered some words of i

lfu' man maun have his way,' he repeated; 'so, sir, if it be your wull, ye'd better speak to the bairn, for we must

tly enchanting to faire la comedie. He laughed so much that he had to be peremptorily hushed, and they were sensible of the danger that in case of a search he might betray himself to his Moorish friends; and Arthur tried to make him comprehend the extreme danger, making him cry so that his cheeks had to be touched up. His eyes and hair were dark, and the latter was cut to its shortest by Yusuf, who further managed to fasten some tufts of wool dipped in the black unguent to the kerchief that

sleepy, was lifted into the pannier, almost at the first streak of dawn, while the slaves were grumbling at being so early called up; an

s thus at some distance from the hindmost, which carried Ulysse and was attended by Arthur, while the master rode his own animals and gave directions. The fiction of illness w

so was the noontide one for sleep. He even ventured a remonstrance, but was answered

eisurely fashion, squatted down, caused Arthur to lift out the child, who was fast asleep again, and the mules to be allowed to fee

from Yusuf and presently a whispe

chlocks; and the whole 'posse of the village were following on foot, with yells and vituperations of the entire ancestry of the merchant, an

mly comprehended that Yusuf was repeating the story of the disappointment of a purchase caused by his illness, and lifting for a moment the covering laid over him to show the bare black legs and arms. There might also have been some hint of infection which, in spite of all Moslem belief in fate, deterred Abou Ben Zegri from an over-clos

y be a better halting-place within their powers, as the sun was already some way on his downward course; and besides, it would take some time to repack the goods which had been cast about in every direction during the search. The days were at their shorte

ne to him?' asked

l'. The bairn willna be a hair the waur, and 'ti

ow the whole matter over; but it was impossible not to chafe secretly at the delay, which seemed incomprehensible. Indeed, the merchant was av

the cause of the warning was soon evident, as Bekir and his companion nodded, and then sank into a slumber as sound as that of the little Frenchman. Indeed, Arthur himself was weary enough to fall asleep soon after sun

ide seemed laden. Yusuf led the animal, retracing their way, while fire-flies flitted around with their green lights, and the distant

oth Yusuf; 'but they w

Arthur felt a fresh salt breeze in his

s were dimly discernible, one with a light in it. The sluggish dash of waves could be heard on the shore; there was a sense of infinite space and breadth

m and Yusuf; while Fareek, grinning so that his white teeth could be seen in the starlight, unloaded the mule, placing its packs,

unmindful of all the further risks and uncertainties to