ls by some trader. Edgar was pleased
at the news. His chances of escape from their present position in the
desert were small indeed, but opportunities might present themselves
during a trading journey.

He knew that some time must yet elapse before he could speak the
language sufficiently well to hope to pass as a native, although he
could make himself understood fairly and comprehend the purport of all
that was said to him; still he would gain an acquaintance with the
country and learn more of its peoples. He saw that he could not hope to
pass as one of the Arab tribesmen, but that if his escape was to be made
at all it must be in the disguise of a trader in one of the towns. Four
days later the tents were levelled, the belongings of the tribes packed
on the camels, and the caravan left the wady on its march across the
desert.

CHAPTER XIX.

A LONG SEARCH.

It was with mixed feelings that Rupert turned on his camel to take a
last view of the camp at Korti. When should he see his countrymen again?
Should he ever see them? His journey was sure to be a long one, and
there would be the constant danger of discovery. He had to trust
entirely in the fidelity of the three men riding ahead of him. It was
true that their love of gain was also enlisted on his side, but it might
well be that they would in time conclude it would be as well to be
contented with the goods they had already received in part payment and
with the two valuable camels, instead of continuing to run the risk of a
prolonged journey in his company in order to earn the sum promised upon
his arrival in Egypt or at a port on the Red Sea. However the die was
cast, and he had no wish to withdraw from the task he had undertaken;
and, with a wave of his hand towards the distant camp, he turned and set
his face forwards to the desert.

The sheik was seated upon one of the heiries, two laden camels followed,
each tied with his head-rope to the tail of the one in front. Then
followed one of the tribesmen on the other heirie with two laden camels;
three more were led by the other Arab. Rupert himself and Ibrahim
brought up the rear of the procession, each with three loaded camels
following that upon which he was riding. He wore a cotton cloth which
passed over one shoulder and was wrapped round the waist, while a second
formed a sort of petticoat. The sheik would have preferred that he
should have dispensed with the cloth over his shoulder, but Rupert
poin