indignity, and compelled to tend the camels,
and fed like a dog. He submitted to the
decrees of fate with resignation, although he
was resolved to seize the first opportunity of
escape. Once, when he was sent with a troop
of camels to some distance, he mounted the
fleetest, and started for the West; but
Yunus, who suspected his design, followed;
overtook and brought him back to the
encampment, where he was beaten, until death
nearly released him from his troubles.

When he recovered he determined to be
more circumspect for the future; and in
order to escape suspicion, affected to be
resigned to his fate. This procured him a
little more liberty; but he still felt that he
was watched, and he began to despair of ever
escaping from that dreadful situation. Sagara
he never saw; but from the children of the
village, with whom he would sometimes play,
he learned that she remained ever weeping
in her new master's tent, refusing to be
comforted.

One day there arrived at the encampment
a stranger, named Ali, the son of one of the
Sheikhs of an inland tribe. He was a tall,
handsome young man, who had gained great
reputation already for feats of gallantry.
Yunus received him with hospitality, and
related among other things the adventure of
the wreck and the acquisition of the beauteous
Sagara. To Ali, the matter appeared perfectly
correct, and he congratulated his host,
demanding as a favour, to behold this peerless
beauty. When she appeared before him, her
melancholy countenance told at once her tale
of misery, and Ali felt that a great injustice
had been committed. With desert cunning,
however, he said not a word of condemnation,
but praised the loveliness of Sagara, and
extolled the happiness of Yunus; so that the
poor slave, who had at first conceived hope
from the pity that beamed through his eyes,
retired in still more profound despair.

Next day, as Mustafa was tending a herd
of camels on the slope of a distant hill, he was
surprised to behold a horseman he did not
know, ride up and salute him.

"I know thy story," said Ali, "and am
resolved to assist thee; but the matter requires
circumspection and cannot be accomplished
in a day. Thy liberty it were easy to
bring about; but the flower in the tent must
be released likewise. Listen now to me. I
am Ali, the son of Saleh; and I have come
on a message of vengeance to this place.
Know that my tribe has learned, by means
ordained of God, that many years ago one of
our bravest warriors was basely murdered by
Yunus and his brethren. Blood calls out for
blood; and thou canst assist us and save
thyself. A month from this, an hour after sunset,
when the moon is half risen above the
summit of Akabah, take fire, and light up a
conflagration in the straw-heap that is near
the great tent of Yunus. If thou art
discovered, defend thyself, and fear nothing; for
I shall be there. If no one suspect thee,
hasten to the harem and single out Sagara,
and bear her in thy arms, crying ' Ali! Ali!'
and no one will harm thee. Art thou a man
to do all this, and not fail in one tittle?"
Mustafa devoted himself to death if he
should swerve from his instructions; and
Ali, having pressed his hand, rode slowly
away across the desert.

That was an anxious month for Mustafa.
He counted the days and minutes, and made
every preparation for action. He contrived
to secrete a flint and steel beneath the straw-
heap, as well as a sword, which he stole from
his master, Yunus. In order that he might
not mistake the day, he dug two holes, in one
of which he put a stone every morning,
whilst in the other he put a bean every
evening. To lull suspicion, he pretended to
be unusually gay, and succeeded in becoming
quite a favorite with the young men. Even
Yunus condescended to smile upon him;
and once even asked him to intercede with
Sagara, and persuade her to be less gloomy.
But Mustafa snapped his fingers, cursed
women, and professed to have no desire for
an interview.

The long-expected night came at length.
The encampment was situated in a valley
surrounded on all sides by arid hills.
Mustafa had been out since morning at the place
where he had met Ali, and had looked on all
sides to discern some signs of his deliverer;
but none appeared. He climbed to the summit
of a peak, from which a wide view could
be obtained, and anxiously, with now well-
practised eyes, perused the horizon. Nothing.
He returned as evening drew nigh, and
reached the crest of the hill that overlooked
the valley just as the sun went down. There
were lights in some of the tents, and at
various points could be seen Bedawins
returning home. Mustafa's heart sank within
him as he thought that some one of these
might have discerned traces of an enemy.
But there was no alarm given; and, on
reaching the encampment, he found all quiet.
Unperceived by any one, he went and
concealed himself between the tent and the straw.
To his delight a smart wind was sweeping up
the valley; and he felt certain that if he could
succeed in setting fire to the huge heap, every
tent would soon be in flames. He had not
many minutes to wait, but the time appeared
to him an age. Various emotions tormented
him. What, if he should fail in his attempt,
or be discovered and slain before help could
arrive ? What, if Ali should forget his promise,
or arrive too late ? He was resolved,
however, to act, and having drawn out the
sword, and placed it by his side as he knelt
down, he began to strike a light just as the
silver edge of the moon appeared above the
ridge of Akabah. Before the orb was half
uncovered there was a hiss, a crackle,— and a
swift flame swept up along the side of the
immense straw heap. Almost at the same