"Do they suppose that a Frenchman is afraid of them ?" and so, with an ostentatious sign of the cross, he took his place upon his knees beside the others.

Foul, bedraggled, and wretched, the seven figures knelt and waited humbly for their fate under the black shadow of the palm-tree.
The Emir turned to the Moolah with a mocking smile, and pointed at the results of his ministrations.

Then he gave an order, and in an instant the four men were seized.

A couple of deft turns with a camel-halter secured each of their wrists.

Fardet screamed out, for the rope had bitten into his open wound.