"So that's that," said I to myself, as I watched them scampering. I knew
that I had better stay where I was and meet my fate, whatever it was to
be, and even if there were a better course, I had no strength left to
take it. I must come into contact with the inhabitants sooner or later,
and it might as well be sooner. Better not to seem afraid of them, as I
should do by running away and being caught with a hue and cry to-morrow
or next day. So I remained quite still and waited. In about an hour I
heard distant voices talking excitedly, and in a few minutes I saw the
two girls bringing up a party of six or seven men, well armed with bows
and arrows and pikes. There was nothing for it, so I remained sitting
quite still, even after they had seen me, until they came close up. Then
we all had a good look at one another.
Both the girls and the men were very dark in colour, but not more so than
the South Italians or Spaniards. The men wore no trousers, but were
dressed nearly the same as the Arabs whom I have seen in Algeria. They
were of the most magnificent presence, being no less strong and handsome
than the women were beautiful; and not only this, but their expression
was courteous and benign.
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