hort gruff laugh.

"It seemed all right in the saloon of the _Korosko_, but now that we are
here we _do_ seem rather up in the air," said he. "Still, you know, a
party comes here every week, and nothing has ever yet gone wrong."

"I don't mind taking my chances when I am on the war-path," the Colonel
answered. "That's all straightforward and in the way of business. But
when you have women with you, and a helpless crowd like this, it becomes
really dreadful. Of course, the chances are a hundred to one that we
have no trouble; but if we should have--well, it won't bear thinking
about. The wonderful thing is their complete unconsciousness that there
is any danger whatever."

"Well, I like the English tailor-made dresses well enough for walking,
Mr. Stephens," said Miss Sadie from behind them. "But for an afternoon
dress, I think the French have more style than the English. Your
milliners have a more severe cut, and they don't do the cunning little
ribbons and bows and things in the same way."

The Colonel smiled at Belmont.

"_She_ is quite serene in her mind, at any rate," said he. "Of course, I
wouldn't say what I drink to any one but you, and I dare say it will all
prove to be quite unfounded."

"Well, I could imagine parties of Dervishes on the prowl," said Belmont.
"But what I cannot imagine is that they should just happen to come to
the pulpit rock on the very morning when we are due there."

"Considering that our movements have been freely advertised, and that
every one knows a week beforehand what our programme is, and where
we are to be found, it does not strike me as being such a wonderful
coincidence."

"It is a very remote chance," said Belmont, stoutly, but he was glad in
his heart that his wife was safe and snug on board the steamer.

And now they were clear of the rocks again, with a fine stretch of firm
yellow sand extending to the very base of the conical hill which lay
before them. "Ay-ah! Ayah!" cried the boys, and whack came their sticks
upon the flanks of the donkeys, which broke into a gallop, and away they
all streamed over the plain. It was not until they had come to the end
of the path which curves up the hill that the dragoman called a halt.

"Now, ladies and gentlemen, we are arrived for the so famous pulpit
rock of Abousir. From the summit you will presently enjoy a panorama
of remarkable fertility. But first you will observe that over the rocky
side of the hill are everywhere cut the