ts and sew up wounds, or set broken
bones?"

"My good lad, are you talking in your sleep? Did I ever do anything but
my very best for the poor creatures to whom my poor skill was
necessary--did I ever give less attention to the humblest patient than I
do to the wealthiest or highest in position?"

"Never," said Frank warmly. "That big, generous disposition of yours
would never have allowed it."

"Then why did you talk in so absurd a strain?" Frank laughed merrily,
and for the time being he was the schoolboy again.

"Please, sir," he said mockingly, "it wasn't me. Answer me first," he
cried. "Why do you talk about feeling like an impostor? Why,"
continued the young man warmly, "I feel as if through my plan I am going
to heap blessings upon mine enemy's head. I am taking you through this
country, amongst these cruelly savage people, to do nothing but good.
Wherever you go your name will be blessed; they will think of the Great
Hakim as long as they live."

"Look here, young man," said the doctor playfully, "I've made a mistake
to-night. You began to play your part very nicely, and you were as
quiet as a dumb waiter--that old black mahogany one in the dining-room
at home. Then for company's sake I stopped you, and here is the
consequence. You took advantage of the liberty given you, and at once
developed into a base flatterer, putting your adulation into all the
flowery language you could muster. Now, no more of it, if you please.
There, to speak soberly and well: Frank, lad, I am not the great,
learned Hakim of your young imagination, but the hard-working student
who tries his best to acquire more and more knowledge of our fallen
human nature so as to fight against death like an earnest man. I know
something of my profession, and I work hard, and always shall, to know
more, so as to apply my skill in the best way. Please God, I hope to do
a great deal of good during this our journey, and I promise you that I
will think only of this application of my knowledge. Yes, I feel now
that I can go on and face all that I have to do, for I shall not be such
a sorry impostor, after all."

"Isn't it my turn now for a chat?" said the professor. "You two seem to
be having a most interesting discussion, and it's very dull back here.
The Sheikh is fast asleep on his camel, and poor Sam has become
speechless with misery, in spite of all I could say to him about
mastering the art of camel-riding. He says he can't get