CHAPTER FOUR.
When they awoke the next morning and looked out, not a vestige of thevessel could they see, but the beach was strewn with the wreck, whilehere and there lay the dead bodies of their shipmates.
"Sad fate, poor fellows!" said Stephen. "We should be thankful toHeaven for being preserved, to Captain Roberts for sending us on shore;but, alack, what will become of the cargo? It will be a heavy loss toKempson and Company, and we might try to collect whatever is driven onshore."
"I am afraid if we did that the natives would soon come down and depriveus of our property. If we can find some food among the things cast onshore it will be more to the purpose."
They searched about, and at length, to their infinite satisfaction,discovered a cask of pork and a case containing bottles of wine.
"We are in luck," said Sam. "And I have a notion that the savages ofthese parts will not drink the wine or eat the pork, so that we may havea chance of its being left to us."
They broke open the cask of pork. Having no means of cooking it, theywere obliged to eat it raw, while the wine did little towards quenchingtheir thirst.
"I would give much for water," said Stephen, "though not a drop do I seeanywhere."
"There may be some, notwithstanding," observed Roger. "Many springsexist in the interior which lose themselves in the sand. We must pushinland in search of one, and carry as much food as we can on our backs,while we hide the rest, with the wine, in the sand."
Acting on this suggestion, the party provided themselves with brokenspars to support their steps and serve as weapons of defence. Beforestarting they climbed to the top of a sandhill to take a look-out, butno vessel was in sight. The foam-covered sea came rolling in and dashedsullenly on the beach.
"While the gale lasts no vessel will willingly approach near the shore,"observed Stephen. "Water we want, and water we must have, or we shallperish."
They accordingly set out, and all that day pushed on eastward, and thenext, and the next. Their salt pork had turned bad, and the wine wasnearly exhausted, and they were well-nigh starving. At last, getting tothe top of a sandhill to look out, Roger fancied he saw some green treesin the distance.
"There may be an oasis out there," he said; "we must try to gain it."
In spite of the hot sun beating down on their heads they went on. Stillthe oasis, if such it was, appeared as far off as ever. Roger, whosestrength, though he was the youngest, held out, did his best to cheerthem on. At last old Sam declared that he could go no farther, and sankdown, begging the others to bring him water if they could find it. Invain they tried to persuade him to move along, and they supported himfor some distance till they came to another sandhill, where they placedhim under some bushes which might afford some slight protection. Havingno fire-arms they could only leave him a pointed stick with which todefend himself. They now hurried on, eager to obtain water not only forthemselves, but that they might rescue their shipmate from death. Theywere almost sinking when their eyes were cheered by a grove of trees,though still far off. Roger acknowledged that they could not have beenvisible from where he had supposed he had seen them.
"They are date-trees!" he exclaimed. "They will afford us food, andwater we may hope to find under them."
As they reached the oasis their eyes were gladdened by the sight of asmall pool formed by a spring bubbling out of the earth. Falling ontheir knees they eagerly baled the water into their mouths with theirhands. Thus revived, Jumbo was able to climb one of the trees andobtain as many bunches of dates as they wanted. They now thought oftheir old shipmate, but when the sun went down the sky became overcast,and to find him in the dark seemed impossible.
"We cannot let him die," said Roger. "I am ready to run the risk."
"And I will go with you," said Stephen.
"I go too," said Jumbo.
And much as they would have enjoyed the rest under the trees, theystarted without delay. Roger thought he knew the direction to take, andin the cool air of night travelling was easier than in the daytime.They did not trouble their heads about lions, or leopards, or beasts ofprey; though ready to sink with fatigue, they went on till they fanciedthat they had reached the spot where they had left old Sam. Theyshouted his name, but no answer came. They searched about, keepingwithin hail of each other. At length Jumbo cried out, "Here he is, andhe no speak." They hurried up, but poor Sam was apparently at the lastgasp. Having poured some water, however, down his throat, he somewhatrevived.
"Thought you would never come back, mates," he said; "but give me somemore water and I will soon be myself again." After a second draught ofwater Sam was able to eat a few dates, and now declared that he wasready, if they wished it, to go with them to the oasis; but Stephen andRoger were both too tired to walk so far, and throwing themselves downunder the shelter of the bushes they fell asleep. The sun had alreadyrisen high when Roger awoke, and on going to the top of the sandhill tolook out for the oasis, he saw between it and where he stood a number ofobjects. He called Stephen, who joined him.
"There are two parties on camels and horses, it seems to me," saidStephen, "one flying from the other."
Descending the sandhill they concealed themselves behind it lest theyshould be discovered; but Roger, unable to restrain his curiosity, crepton one side whence he could see what was taking place. The fugitiveshad turned round to meet their pursuers; a fierce fight was goingforward, in which the camels on both sides seemed to be taking part bykicking and leaping at each other, and he could hear their peculiarcries amid the clash of the weapons and the shouts of the combatants.Presently he saw a person, who had apparently been thrown from hiscamel, come rushing at headlong speed towards the sandhill. Roger drewback, and in another minute the stranger came round to where the partylay. He was a mere boy, dressed in loose trousers, a silk jacket, ashawl round his waist, and a turban on his head. His alarm at seeingthem was so great, that he was running on to avoid them, when Jumbo,who, it will be remembered, spoke Arabic, called to him gently, tellinghim that they were friends. On this he came and crouched down close tothem, trembling in every limb.
"Ask him from whom he was flying," said Stephen to Jumbo.
"From the Ouadelins, who carried me off from my father's camp," said theyoung Arab.
"But were your friends not pursuing?" asked Stephen. Jumbo as beforeput the question.
"No; those who attacked my captors are equally enemies of my people, andhad they taken me I should have fared worse than before," answered theyoung Arab.
From the sounds which reached their ears Stephen and his companions knewthat the fight was still raging, but moving farther and farther fromwhere they lay. The young Arab could not refrain from trying to seewhat was going on, and had not Roger pulled him back, would very likelyhave been discovered. At length the sound ceased, and crawling to thebrow of the hillock, so as just to look over it, Roger saw the twoparties apparently still carrying on a straggling fight in the fardistance. They were by this time getting very hungry and thirsty.
"Come, gentlemen, let us be going to the date-grove," cried old Sam; "mythroat is like a dust-bin."
"Should the Arabs come back they will carry us off if we do," observedStephen. "Better bear our hunger and thirst till the coast is clear."
It was somewhat difficult, however, to restrain themselves. Seeingthis, Selim, for so the young Arab was called, said Stephen's advice wasgood, and counselled them to remain concealed for the present. At lastold Sam declared that he could stand it no longer, that he had eaten upthe dates of the rest of the party and drunk up their water, and that itwas his business to go and forage for them. Stephen again warned him,but in spite of this he set off, running for the date-grove. Roger, whohad climbed to the top of the hill, watched as far as he could see hisfigure. At last he appeared to have entered the grove, and had beengone for some time, when Selim, who, accompanied by Jumbo, had beenlooking out from the top of the hill, said that his enemies were comingback and were making
for the date-grove. Roger feared that old Samwould be on his way to rejoin them, and, being seen by the Arabs, wouldlead them to their hiding-place. The Arabs came nearer and nearer, andRoger fancied that he saw the old sailor just coming out of the grove,but on perceiving the Arabs, he darted back again, probably to concealhimself. His capture seemed certain. The Arabs reached the date-grove,and to the dismay of the shipwrecked party, appeared to be preparing topass the night there. Their sufferings now became intense; they fearedalso that the old sailor would be compelled to betray them. The eveningwas approaching, and Roger and Stephen agreed that they could scarcelyhope to live through the night unless they could obtain food. SuddenlySelim, observing their countenances, which showed how much they weresuffering, put his hand in his pocket and produced a quantity of drieddates, which he offered to them. Though their thirst was great theywere able to eat the dates, and felt much revived.
"The Arabs will go by daylight to-morrow," said Selim, pointing to thegrove, "and then we may obtain water."
When night came, they lay down to rest. There was little risk of beingdiscovered by their enemies, but a lion or some other wild beast mightscent them. Both Roger and Stephen were, however, too tired to keepawake, but Selim seemed to divine how matters stood, and offered to situp and watch while they slept. He was faithful to his trust, for whenthe dawn broke and Roger awoke, he saw him still sitting, with his eyesfixed on them.
"Ouadelins are on the move," he said, "but we must lie close or theywill discover us."
Roger, however, went to the top of the hillock, on which a few bushescompletely concealed him, and from thence he could see the date-grove.In a short time the Arabs, mounted on their camels, were seen moving tothe north-east. Stephen and Roger, with their two dark-skinnedcompanions, waited till the Arabs had disappeared in the distance; theythen all four hurried to the grove. On reaching it they lost not amoment in quenching their thirst, and as soon as they had recoveredtheir voices they shouted for old Sam, but no answer was returned. Theyhunted about in all directions, and at last came to the conclusion thatthe Arabs had carried him off. They had taken away a large portion ofthe dates, but a few remained, which Selim and Jumbo, climbing the tree,got for them. They remained in the grove all day eating dates anddrinking water.
"I say, Stephen, we cannot live here for ever," said Roger, "for weshall soon have eaten all the provisions the country supplies. We mustconsult with Selim as to what course to pursue."
Selim, through Jumbo, advised that they should move northward.
"It is a long journey to tents of my people," he said, but he thoughtthat he could conduct them there in safety.
Accordingly, after another night's rest, and having loaded themselveswith dates and filled their bottles with water, they set out. Selimadvised them to be very careful of the water, as it might be many daysbefore they reached another spring. With their sticks in their handsthey trudged over the plain. Though the heat was great, the country asthey advanced was less arid and sandy than farther south. Aftertravelling for five or six days they unexpectedly came upon anotherdate-grove shading a pool. Here they replenished their provisions andwater, and after a whole day's rest again set forward. Stephensuggested that they should return to the coast, where they might betaken off by some passing vessel.
"You forget that passing vessels are more likely to be enemies thanfriends," observed Roger. "We cannot be very far off from Sallee andthose ports out of which the rovers sail. Having thus unexpectedly meta friend, it will be better to stick by him, and he may, through hisrelatives, find the means of enabling us to escape from the country."
When they spoke on the subject to Selim, he advised them not to go tothe coast, but to continue on till they could meet with his people, whowould be sure to show their gratitude for the service they had renderedhim. Day after day they trudged on, sometimes almost starved and readyto die of thirst. Occasionally they saw what they supposed to becaravans moving in the distance, but Selim recommended that they shouldnot attempt to join them, as he feared that the Arabs might carry themoff to sell as slaves. At length one day they were traversing a wideopen plain without either hillocks or bushes, when they saw some objectsmoving towards them. On they came rapidly, and were soon discovered tobe a party of men on the backs of camels.
"The camels are of the Bu Saif breed," cried Selim; "we cannot escapethem."
"Let us stand still and not make the attempt," said Stephen.
They accordingly stood, as Stephen advised, close together, he in front,Selim and Jumbo on one side, and Roger on the other. As the camels drewnearer, it was seen that they were ridden by dark-skinned fellows, whowere brandishing in their hands long spears and scimitars. Utteringloud shouts, the strangers dashed forward as if about to cut down theshipwrecked party, when suddenly Selim sprang forward, and raising hishands, exclaimed, "I am Selim Ben Hamid, the son of the chief of theMalashlas. Spare these white men, they are my friends."
The Arabs instead of cutting down the party, instantly reined in theiranimals. One of their leaders took up Selim behind him, the threeothers--Stephen, Roger, and Jumbo--in their fashion treating the whiteyoung men with great respect; then, turning their camels' heads, theyagain set off at full speed northwards.
"I say, Stephen, how do you like it?" asked Roger.
"Not at all; but it is better than being killed," he answered.
Indeed, in a few minutes, from the rough motions of the camels, the skinwas nearly worn off their legs. For the remainder of the day theytravelled on till they reached another oasis, where their friendsencamped, and very glad Stephen and Roger were to get some rest. Selimtold them that they had still many more days' journey before they couldreach the town, or rather the camp, where his father was chief. WhenRoger observed that they did not think they could bear the bumping, hereplied that they would soon get accustomed to it; indeed, a night'srest and some black biscuit, in addition to the dates, restored theirstrength, and next day they proceeded on their journey.
"I am afraid I shall have to give in," cried Stephen, as the enduringcamels went jogging on for twelve hours together without stopping."What they and their masters are made of I cannot conceive, for theArabs have eaten but a few dates each day since we started; for my partI feel nearly starved."
"We must keep up, notwithstanding," said Roger; "it won't do to give in,or they will look on us with contempt;" for Selim had told them thatwould be the case.
They got accustomed to that style of travelling, and by drawing theirhandkerchiefs tight round their waists, they did not suffer much fromthe pangs of hunger, though they in a short time became merely skin andbone. At length Selim told them that in two or three days' time theywould reach his father's camp, and they were looking forward to the restthey so much needed. They were now passing over a hilly country coveredwith low shrubs of a peculiarly brittle character, between which thecamels had to pick their way, winding in and out among them, whichgreatly increased the length of the road traversed. They observed thatthe Arabs moved with more caution than heretofore, several men beingsent in front to act as scouts. Evening was approaching, and they werelooking out for a spot on which to encamp, when, as they were passingthe base of a rocky and precipitous hill, a party of horsemen dashed outfrom a narrow ravine on the left, where they had remained concealed fromthe scouts. At the same moment, another party of men on foot appearedon the heights above them. The chief of their own party, with whomSelim was riding, immediately turned his camel's head and made off tothe eastward, calling on his men to follow. Some did so, but thehorsemen dashed in between them and the remainder, whom they furiouslyattacked, shooting some of the camels and ham-stringing others. Stephenand Roger had in vain endeavoured to follow Selim and the chief, butboth of their animals were brought to the ground. They fully expectedto be cut down, but Jumbo, who had been riding near them, disdaining tofly, threw himself from his camel, which was uninjured.
"These are white chiefs!" he shouted out. "They
wish to be yourfriends; do not harm them."
The Arabs as they heard these words paused for a moment. The horsemen,in the meantime, were pursuing Selim's party; but as no animals werefaster than the Bu Saif breed of camels, they failed to overtake them.Roger and Stephen believed that their young friend had made his escape.Each of their assailants now inquired who they were, and where they weregoing.
Turning to Jumbo, they desired him to reply that their ship had beenwrecked, and that they wished to make their way to Mogador, or someother place whence they could get aboard an English merchantman or aman-of-war.
The chief laughed. "It will be a long time before they reach theirnative land. They must understand that when Christians come into thiscountry they have to work for us, their masters."
"This is not pleasant news," observed Stephen, when Jumbo had translatedwhat the chief said. "Cannot we try to move the barbarian's heart?"
"We will see what Jumbo can say, but I am afraid there is no chance ofdoing that," said Roger.
Jumbo confirmed Roger's opinion.
"We must bear our misfortune as best we can," remarked Stephen."However, we will lose no opportunity of trying to make our escape."
The chief of the marauders now gathered his prisoners together, andordered them to move forward, surrounded by his men on foot, while hismounted followers brought up the rear close behind them. They proceededsome distance, when, just at dusk, they encamped at a spot, a stream onone side and a hill on the other. Fires were lighted, sentries placedin the more exposed part, and the remainder of the people began cookingtheir provisions. Stephen and Roger had some camel's flesh given tothem and a handful of dates, and Jumbo brought them water from theriver.
"Me stop here and do talkee," he said, as he sat himself down before thefire to assist in cooking the camel's meat.
"Come, we are better off than we might have expected," said Stephen.
They were allowed to lie down, covered up with pieces of camels' haircloth, which one of the Arabs gave them. They woke before daylight.Jumbo was sitting up by their side.
"Who is this robber chief; have you been able to learn anything abouthim?" asked Roger.
"He called Sheik Beirouc, great man in his own country; me fear he makeus all slavee," answered Jumbo.
"Tell him that we would pay him well if he will liberate us and send usback to England," said Stephen.
"He no trust us till he see de money in his hand," answered Jumbo, "anddat de difficulty."
"So it is, but we must manage to overcome it," said Stephen. "Speakfair, and say that we are grateful to him for having given us food andthis cloth to cover us."
Jumbo promised to do as he was directed.
At daybreak the whole camp was astir, when the Arabs went down on theirknees looking towards Mecca to say their prayers, an impressive sight,for every man seemed in earnest. Soon afterwards the Sheik approachedand inquired whether Stephen and Roger could ride.
"Tell him, since we were children," answered Stephen. "If he will letus have horses we will show him."
Some more dates and water were brought them for breakfast, shortly afterwhich a man appeared leading two active little steeds. The lads,supposing that they were for them, leaped into the saddles, and at oncegalloped off into the open country.
"If we knew our way to the coast it would be a good opportunity ofescaping," said Roger.
"It would be an act of folly to make the attempt," said Stephen. "Letus turn now and go back, and show the Sheik that he may place confidencein us."
They returned at the same pace at which they had gone out. The Sheiksmiled grimly at seeing them come back.
"You shall have the horses to ride on for your journey," he said.
"How are you to travel, Jumbo?" asked Roger.
"Me go on camel," he answered. "The Sheik know that you can't run awaywithout me. You can't talkee to the people."
In a short time the order was given to march, and the Sheik led the way,accompanied by the two young Englishmen, and Jumbo rode behind anotherman on the camel. After proceeding for some miles they began to climb arange of mountains covered with heath, along beaten paths. On thesummit there was suddenly a change of scenery. Behind was themonotonous sterility of the desert, and before a cultivated country, inevery part of which were considerable camps in circular enclosures offrom sixty to eighty tents over the plain. They perceived numeroushorses and mules, as well as camels, while travellers continually passedthem on the road, some mounted on camels, but the greater number onhorses of a small size, all well-armed. About an hour after noon theyarrived at a well, surrounded by a vast number of animals, camels,horses, mules, donkeys, goats; and so completely blocked up was theapproach that it was with the greatest difficulty that they reached thewater to satisfy their burning thirst. In the evening they reached sometents belonging to Beirouc, where they passed the night. He told themthat the next day they would arrive at his town, where they were tospend some time. This was agreeable news, as they hoped to obtain somemeans of communicating with the coast. Towards evening Beirouc pointedout to them his habitation. At first they looked everywhere withoutperceiving any building, but at length discovered towards the east, atthe foot of a mountain, a circle of reddish walls, in the middle ofwhich rose a tower of considerable height. It had the appearance ofbeing what it really was, a shelter for brigands. On their right was aforest of palm-trees, and some cultivated gardens, while a number ofMoors were lying carelessly about outside the walls. The news of theirarrival was soon circulated among all classes, and from every directioncame men, women, and children, running to see the Christians, whom theylooked upon as some singular wild beasts. At length Beirouc told one ofhis attendants to conduct the three prisoners to their habitation. Thewhole town was composed of houses built with sun-dried bricks of ayellowish tint. They were conducted into a square, out of which openedseveral chambers, or houses with small doors; one of these they weretold to enter. It had a miserable and dirty appearance; at first,coming out of the glare of day, they could see nothing, but as theireyes got accustomed to the gloom they were much dismayed at perceivingthe number of chains hung to the walls. Jumbo, however, relieved theiranxiety by saying that they were merely to fasten up horses, the placehaving been used as a stable. Though the chief hitherto treated themwith more humanity, still, as might have been expected, they felt thatthey were slaves, and they asked Jumbo to make inquiries.
"Yes, we all slavee," he said. "Beirouc, he make us work; he sell us."
Jumbo brought them further intelligence that they were not to remain attheir present station long. They had little rest, being exposed frommorning to night to the gaze of the Moors, who came to look at them fromfeelings of curiosity alone, without the slightest tinge of compassion.Many amused themselves by mocking at them, inquiring whether they wishedto become gardeners, carpenters, bricklayers, or masons. At all hoursof the day their unwelcome visitors appeared, regarding them much as ifthey were wild beasts shut up in a cage. There were really no bars norany guard placed over them; indeed they might without difficulty havegot out into the country. But Beirouc well knew that they would havebeen unable to find their way, and that they would either have beenstarved, or made prisoners by the inhabitants, or killed by wild beasts,and he told Jumbo to give them a hint that such would be their fateshould they attempt it. They had therefore to submit as best they couldto the indignities offered them.
At length one day a new character, who accompanied Beirouc, made hisappearance; he was a tall, fine-looking man, with a white beard, andhandsome though somewhat stern countenance. Having seated himself on acarpet in the centre of the court, he ordered the two captives,accompanied by Jumbo, to approach him, and inquired who they were,whence they had come, and how they had hitherto been employed. Jumboevidently took upon himself to give such a report of them as wouldincrease their importance in the eyes of their captors. He declaredthat they were chiefs in their own country, that they were officers onboar
d the ship, wonderfully expert navigators, and were possessed ofgreat wealth, their object in leaving home having been to see the world.Stephen, who guessed that Jumbo was going on a little too far, stoppedhim.
"All right, massa," he answered, "me tell the truth presently."
Jumbo's account had certainly the effect of raising their value in theestimation of the new arrival. Jumbo informed them that the chief'sname was Ibraim, that he resided in the northern part of the country,towards which they were forthwith to set out. Soon afterwards Jumbo onhis return to their cell burst into tears.
"What is the matter?" asked Stephen.
"Beirouc say he no sell me, and that I stay here."
"Tell him that we cannot do without you," said Stephen.
"Me tell Ibraim; that more use," said Jumbo.
Jumbo was evidently looked upon as a very clever fellow by the Arabs,and he so managed the matter that Ibraim purchased him as well as thetwo young Englishmen, and they immediately set forward on their journeynorthward. The whole party rode on horseback. Their steeds were small,active little animals, which managed to scuffle along at a great rate,up and down hill being apparently the same to them. Stephen and Rogeragreed that it was far more pleasant riding than on camel-back. Theywere happier also when travelling than when stopping at night, when theywere compelled to sleep in some dirty hut, with Jumbo and a number ofArabs as their companions. They were badly fed, and could seldom getany tolerable water to drink. At first they fancied that they were tobe carried to Marocco, but they found Ibraim had no intention ofvisiting the capital, which he left far away on the right. On andfarther on they went northward.
"So much the better," said Roger. "The farther north, the more chancewe shall have of escaping."
At length, on passing over a lofty hill, Roger observed the blue oceanglittering brightly to the left, while in the far distance he made outthe minarets, towers, and flat roofs of what appeared to him to be alarge town. He pointed out the spot to Stephen.
"That is a town, no doubt about it, and probably it is to be our futureabode; we must get Jumbo to learn its name."
"Dat Rabatt; they call it also Sallee," said Jumbo.
"Why, that is the place where the Sallee rovers sail from!" exclaimedRoger. "For what we can tell, the one who attacked us came from there."
"I think she was an Algerine; Captain Roberts thought so," remarkedStephen.
Descending from the high ground they had been traversing they crossed ariver, the third they had passed since morning. Continuing down itsbank on the north side, they found themselves before an extensive andstrongly-fortified town, with high walls, towers, and battlements.Ibraim, having passed through a gateway, continued on along narrowstreets and alleys crowded with people of all colours, though mostlydressed in Moorish costume. Their arrival did not appear to create muchinterest; some stared at them, a few abused them as Christian slaves.At last Ibraim led the way into a court-yard, when he ordered them todismount. He pointed to a cell much like the one they had beforeoccupied, where he told them they might take up their abode. It had theadvantage of being more airy and less damp than might have been thecase, though they were somewhat exposed to public view.
Ordering them to remain there, and to move out at their peril, Ibraimstalked away. Several persons made inquiries about them of Jumbo. Thiscontinued till dark, when they were allowed to rest on the bare groundin quiet. As no one brought them any food, and Ibraim seemed to haveforgotten them altogether, they had to go supperless to sleep. Nextmorning they awoke very hungry, and as there was no other way of gettingfood, they told Jumbo to entreat their visitors to bring them some, butthe hard-hearted Moors refused. At last a white-haired man, habited asa Moor, his dress of nautical cut, his turban set somewhat rakishly onone side, came in. He started as he saw them, and stood gazing at themfor some minutes.
"Who are you?" he exclaimed. "Did you really get off with your livesfrom the robbers?"
"Is it possible that you are Sam Stokes?" exclaimed Roger.
"I was Sam Stokes, but am now Mustapha Mouser."
"Well, Sam, I cannot congratulate you on having turned renegade, but amglad to see you," observed Stephen.
"Could not help myself, Mr Battiscombe; did it to save my life. Now Ihave found you, I want to see how I can help you. Maybe you arehungry?"
"That indeed we are," exclaimed Roger.
"Then without further palaver I will be off and try and get you somefood," said Sam.
"I hope he will be quick about it," observed Roger when Sam moved off,"for I am well-nigh starved."
Old Sam did not disappoint them, for in a short time he returned with aflask of water and dried goat's flesh, bread, and dates.
"Make haste, lest anybody should come by and my feet get a taste of thebastinado." They did ample justice to the repast, helped by Jumbo, whowas as hungry as they were. Sam sat down and tried to look as much likea Moor as he could.
"How are you employed?" asked Stephen.
"I have been assisting in fitting out one of their vessels. She is afine craft for her size, but I cannot say I quite like the work, for Isuppose we shall go robbing on the high seas, and if we are caught shallbe strung up like the rest."
"Nor do I, Sam, for your sake," observed Stephen, "though you will onlybe engaged as Prince Rupert and Prince Morris were after the civil war;not that their example is one to be followed, and I would advise you toget clear of the pirates as soon as you can."
"More easily said than done," answered Sam. "The Moors always keep alook-out on those whom they suspect, but I will not forget your adviceif I have the opportunity of escaping; but I must not stop talking here,or I may be suspected of favouring you." And old Sam, getting up,rolled away with his hands in his pockets, looking as independent as anyof the passing Moors.
"I wonder what is to be our fate," said Roger.
They asked Jumbo to make inquiries. His idea was that they were to besold, but he said that he would try and find out. Though looked upon asa slave, he was allowed more liberty than they were, it being supposedthat he would not desert them. Had they possessed money they would thushave had no difficulty in procuring food, but as they had been deprivedof every coin they had had about them, they were entirely dependent onothers. The appearance of old Sam Stokes somewhat relieved their mindson that score, as they hoped he would find means to supply their wants.When Jumbo came back late in the evening, he looked very melancholy.
"Me afraid Ibraim sell us. Cruel master. Make workee; little food;plenty stick."
"Patience," said Roger. "We must try to work hard and avoid the stick;and as to the food, we must be content with little if we cannot getmuch, and hope some day to get away."
A guard was placed at the door of the yard, so that Jumbo could not getout during the night. The next morning Ibraim appeared with severalother persons, one of whom, by his dress and the way he swaggered along,appeared to be a person of some consideration. Ibraim summoned the twolads and Jumbo much as he would have called as many dogs, and seemed tobe expatiating on their various qualifications. The stranger, whom theyheard called Hamet, then put several questions to them through Jumbo,chiefly relating to their previous mode of life. He seemed satisfied,and at once turning to Ibraim counted out the money which he hadpromised to pay for them. Scarcely looking at them, or uttering a wordof farewell, the old Sheik pocketed the coin and walked away, while thenew purchaser beckoned to Stephen, Roger, and Jumbo to follow him.
"This is unbearable," exclaimed Stephen; "the old fellow treats us likegoods and chattels. He fancies that we are willingly to be turned overto the man to whom he has thought fit to sell us. We must show him thatwe do not intend to be treated in that way."
"What had we better do?" asked Roger.
"Stay where we are, and refuse to follow him," said Stephen.
"Oh, massa, don't do dat," cried Jumbo. "Dey soon show wid de bastinadodat dey got de power."
Hamet, their new master, by th
e frown gathering on his brow as heobserved their hesitation, soon showed them what they might expect, andthey agreed that it would be wiser to submit to circumstances. Theyaccordingly followed him as he led the way through the streets till hereached another court-yard, in which a number of persons were collected,dressed in all sorts of costumes, many in rags, and looking thin andcareworn, their countenances being those of Europeans.
"These must be Christian slaves," observed Stephen.
"Yes, and it is very clear that we are to be compelled to labour withthem," said Roger.
They were not long in doubt as to this, for a number of persons gatheredround them, and two addressed them in English, and inquired where theyhad come from, and how they had been captured. While they werenarrating their adventures, others gathered round to listen. There wereFrench, Portuguese, Spaniards, Italians, and Dutchmen. They all, itappeared, belonged to Hamet, who employed them in building a new house.At a signal from Hamet they formed into order, and were marched off toperform their daily task, under the charge of four guards with loadedfire-arms. Stephen and Roger were obliged to follow, for to refusewould have only brought down blows on their heads and backs. Theywalked along very unwillingly, though they tried to keep up theirspirits. On arriving at the spot they were at once set to work. Thoughaccustomed to manual labour, they found their tasks very severe inhauling up blocks of stone, carrying heavy beams and rafters. They werevery thankful when the day's work was over. All the time not a particleof food had been given them, and it was with difficulty, suffering fromhunger and thirst, that they could get back to their prison.
"You will soon get accustomed to it," said one of their companions inmisfortune.
On reaching the yard the only provisions served to them and the rest ofthe slaves were some brown bread and some almost putrid water, whichthey could scarcely drink. Most of the prisoners were too low andbroken-spirited to complain, but Stephen and Roger were very indignant;hunger and thirst however compelled them to eat the coarse bread anddrink the water, bad as it was. At night they had to lie down in aplace which had been used for stables, with a scanty supply of straw,and that not of the cleanest, for beds. Their companions in misfortunemoaned and groaned in their different languages till they moanedthemselves to sleep.
"I wonder how long this is to last," said Roger.
"Till we are set free," said Stephen.
"But how are we to get free?" asked Roger. "Cannot we devise some meansof escaping?"
"We must try and let our friends at home know where we are in the firstplace, so that they may ransom us," said Stephen.
"The difficulty will be to get a letter home. There is no communicationbetween this place and any European port, as far as I can learn. Ourunhappy companions have been here for years," said Roger.
"If we cannot get off ourselves, perhaps Jumbo can make his escape andcarry a letter for us," said Stephen.
"A bright idea," exclaimed Roger. "He is asleep now; still we can thinkit over to-morrow and see how it can be managed."
At length they top, merely with the toil they had gone through, closedtheir eyes, happily to dream of far distant scenes. They were awakenedby their companions moving about, and another dole of brown bread andwater was served out to them. Just, however, as they were about to bemarched off to their daily toil, they caught sight of Sam Stokes, whowas peering about in the court-yard, apparently in search of them. Theyeagerly beckoned to him.
"I have been hunting for you young gentlemen since daylight," he said."Here's some meat and sweet biscuits, some oranges, and a bottle ofgoat's milk; it is better than any water I could get. I should like tohave brought you some stronger stuff, but if I was to be found with anyI should have my head chopped off in a twinkling. It is against therules of the Koran. Though I have not had time to learn much about thebook, I know that."
They thanked Sam cordially, and shared the provisions he had broughtwith Jumbo. He sat by to see that their companions did not rob them,which, from the wolfish glances they cast at the food, they seemed muchinclined to do.
"Stow away the remainder in your pockets, you will want it for dinner,and I will try to come back in the evening and give you more. I mustnow be off to my work," said Sam.
The day was passed much as the former one had been, though they had ashort time allowed them to eat the food Sam had brought. It was veryhard and trying work, and they were well-nigh knocked up by the evening,when they had to return to their dirty prisons. Hunger had compelledthem to begin munching their brown bread, when Sam appeared bringing asmall quantity of provision.
"It is all I could get," he said. "I am much afraid that I shall not beallowed to bring you much more. Captain Hamet, who bought you from theold Sheik and commands a vessel I have engaged to serve aboard, hasfound out that I bring the food to you, and does not seem well pleased.Why, I cannot exactly understand, as I should have thought he wouldrather have you strong and well than weak and sick, as you would be ifyou had no better food than that brown bread; however, I shall know moreabout the matter to-morrow. I will bring you word if I can."
The morning came, but Sam did not appear, and, as before, they weremarched away with the rest of the slaves to their daily toil. For threedays after this they heard nothing of Sam, while they were obliged tosubsist on the coarse fare supplied to the slaves. Their condition wasnow becoming very trying. They talked over all the plans they couldpossibly think of to effect their escape. Jumbo was willing to try andget off to carry a letter to Tangiers, but he warned them that he mightvery likely be captured and lose his life in making the attempt, andthey were unwilling to expose him to so much danger. The other slavestold them of the dreadful punishment which had been inflicted on severalof their number who had attempted to escape, while, so far as they knew,not one had succeeded. It seemed to them that they were doomed to spendthe remainder of their lives in bondage, and worse bondage than that ofIsrael. The Jews, at all events, had plenty to eat, whereas they werealmost starved; still, like brave lads as they were, they endeavoured tokeep up their spirits. At length one morning, after they had enduredfor upwards of a fortnight the sort of life which has been described,their eyes were gladdened by the sight of Sam walking into thecourt-yard just as their morning meal had been served out.
"I am thankful to say that I have been able to bring you some food,young gentlemen, and Captain Hamet has sent me to say that you are to goaboard the _Tiger_, the ship he commands."
"But the vessel is a pirate!" exclaimed Stephen, "and we shall beassisting them in their evil deeds. I would rather remain here and toilas a wretched slave than turn corsair."
"So would I," said Roger. "Tell Captain Hamet that we will not obey hisorders."
"Very sorry to hear you say that, Master Willoughby," said Sam. "Yousee it is not a matter of choice; the Captain has the power to make youdo what he wishes, whether you like it or not."
"There is an old saying that you may take a horse to water, but youcannot make him drink," said Stephen; "he may carry us aboard by mainforce, but he cannot compel us to do any duty when we are there."
"Now, just look at the matter in this way, young gentlemen," said Sam."The Captain has heard that you understand navigation, and he wants someone to navigate his ship, for, as far as I can learn, these Moorishfellows do not understand much about that thing. He will make officersof you and treat you well, and I do not suppose he expects you tofight."
"How could he know that we understood navigation?" asked Stephen.
"That is more than I can say," answered Sam. "I know that I did nottell him; he heard it by some means, and that was the reason he boughtyou of the old Sheik, and paid such a high price for you too. So yousee he is not likely to be balked, and I'd advise you to come with agood grace. I am very sorry that you should have to do what you do notlike, but you see you have no choice in the matter; when he asked me Ihad to confess that it was right."
"Me tell how it happened," said Jumbo. "Me tell Captain
Hamet thatMassa Battiscombe and Massa Willoughby were two officers, and that if hebuy dem he some day get a good ransom, but neber tink at de time dat hewant dem to serve aboard his ship; dat's how it came about."
"That explains the mystery, and we don't blame you, Jumbo," saidStephen. "But we cannot go and serve willingly on board a pirate."
"Still I must obey orders, young gentlemen," said Sam, "and I cameashore with a boat's crew to carry you on board, and I will bear witnessif we ever fall into the hands of a king's ship that you did not comewillingly."
As he spoke Sam made a sign to several men who were standing at theentrance to the court-yard, who at once, marching in, surrounded the twoyoung Englishmen and Jumbo, and seizing their arms, began to drag themalong into the street. They struggled to free themselves, but theMoors, strong muscular fellows, quickly mastered them, and conductedthem along through the narrow lanes towards the port. On reaching itthey were shoved somewhat unceremoniously into a boat, which immediatelypulled away for a large vessel which lay at the entrance of the harbour.
"Very sorry, gentlemen, that you should be treated in this fashion,"said Sam. "If you had come willingly it would not have happened. It isnot my fault, you will understand; but if I did not carry out the ordersI receive, I should have my head whipped off in a moment."
Stephen and Roger were too indignant just then to make any reply, thoughthey saw clearly the position in which poor Sam was placed. CaptainHamet was walking the deck when they arrived alongside. He receivedthem in a somewhat stern fashion, and calling Jumbo, told him to saythat their treatment would depend on the way they behaved themselves.
"Tell him that as he has compelled us to come on board, we desire toknow what he requires us to do," said Stephen.
On this Captain Hamet beckoned them to come into the cabin. He thenplaced several nautical instruments before them, with charts of theMediterranean, the western shores of Africa and Europe, extending as faras England.
"He wants you to make good use of these to mark down every day thecourse the ship has run,--her position at noon. He does not require youto fight; indeed, if we meet an enemy, he will allow you to go below andkeep out of harm's way if you wish it."
"Under those circumstances I do not think we should wisely refuse toobey him," observed Stephen.
"I would rather not have to do it," said Roger.
"But I do not see how we can get off, and we shall certainly, byremaining on board, have a better chance of escaping than if we werekept in slavery on shore," said Stephen. "Tell the Captain, Jumbo, thatwe will do as he desires, though we would rather have been allowed topay a ransom for our liberty."
Hamet, smiling grimly, nodded his approval, and then sent for Sam, whoshowed them a cabin which he told them they were to occupy.
"I am glad to hear, gentlemen, that you have agreed to do as the Captainwishes. It would have been no earthly use to refuse, as he could havecompelled you with a pistol at your heads."
"I do not think he would have fired it, considering that he had paid ahigh price for us, though he might have ill-treated us till he couldhave obtained a price for setting us free."
"Well, as far as I can see, all you have got to do is to put a good faceon the matter, keep up your spirits, and navigate the ship carefully. Iwarn you that if you do not do that, he will heave you overboard withoutthe slightest ceremony."
"Then we will do our best to navigate the _Tiger_ wherever the Captainwants her to go; it won't be our fault if he some day catches a Tartar,or runs his nose into a lion's den."
Roger Willoughby: A Story of the Times of Benbow Page 4