ted out that this was really essential to him, as he could while
travelling wrap it round both shoulders and so protect his skin from the
rays of the sun, which, were he naked from the waist, would in a very
short time raise blisters over the whole of his body. His wig, with its
wild tangle of long hair, acted as a capital protection to his head.

On the saddle was fastened a long Arab gun, a sword and knife were stuck
into his girdle, and he carried a long spear in his hand. One of the
baggage camels was laden with stores for his personal use on the
journey, consisting of a number of jars of Liebig, cocoa, and milk, some
tins of tea, a box or two of biscuits, some tins of preserved
vegetables, a case or two of arrow-root, and a store of medicine,
chiefly saline draughts, quinine, and ipecacuanha. The eatables he
calculated would afford him a morning meal for many months--for the main
articles of his diet, he depended of course upon such food as the Arabs
would obtain--by the end of which time he hoped to have fallen
completely into native habits, and to be able to content himself with
such food as his guides might subsist upon.

At nightfall they halted at some wells. These were farther to the east
than those which the desert column had used in its march to Metemmeh.
Rupert had observed that a short time after they had got fairly into the
desert the sheik had altered the line on which he was proceeding. He had
had but little talk with him since the bargain had been concluded, as
the Arab had considered it better that they should not be seen together,
as some of the other natives in camp might notice it, and should they
meet afterwards the circumstance might lead to his detection.

To Rupert the course taken was absolutely indifferent. He knew that the
journey must be a very long one, and as he had only to trust to chance
and the sagacity of his companions, there had been no discussion
whatever as to the route to be taken. After a time Ibrahim, weary of the
silence, urged his camel on until he came up level with that of Rupert.

"Well, Ibrahim, we are fairly on our way."

"Yes, my lord, we have cut our stick and no mistake."

Rupert smiled. Ibrahim had picked up his knowledge of English at
Alexandria, and his conversation abounded with slang phrases which he
used in perfect seriousness.

"There is no objection to your calling me my lord when we speak in
English, Ibrahim, but when we are talking in Arabic be sure y