493 
rileyV narrative. 
the top of the cliffs. As evening approached, one 
of them exclaimed, " A light." This object being 
soon seen by all, produced an electric influence, 
and diffused new life and spirits through the party. 
Arab bondage, which had before appeared the 
most horrible of evils, was now, after so near a 
prospect of perishing, patiently submitted to. It 
Tyas imprudent, however, to approach during the 
night, and they waited till next day, when they 
went up and presented themselves in a humble 
posture. The Arabs, on seeing them, set up a 
furious yell, and immediately began to contend 
with each other for the possession of this unexpect- 
ed prey. A distribution being made by this bar- 
barous process, they had the affliction to find that 
they must separate, in consequence of the division 
of the Arabs into two. parties. For eight or ten 
days they proceeded S. E. into the heart of the 
desert, and then began to return towards the sea 
for want of water. On the 20th, two strangers 
arrived ; Sidi Hamet, and Seid his brother, who 
proved to be merchants from Morocco. Sidi Ha- 
met, on seeing the captives, shewed some huma«r 
nity, and gave Riley and one of his companions 
a little water to drink, " the first good water they 
" had tasted, and which inspired hope, as coming 
" from a better country." Sidi Hamet then in- 
quired into their story, at the relation of which he 
was affected even to tears, an emotion of which he 
