r, or anything. I
know--I know it's all terrible real, and I'm going to try and help like
a man through it all. I was a fool and a hidiot to speak as I did--and
you'll forgive me, Ben Eddin? Thankye."

For Frank's hand rested lightly on the man's shoulder, and for a few
minutes there was silence in the tent. Then Sam's face brightened, and
he said eagerly--

"I've had two goes on the camel, Ben, in these things, and somehow it
seemed to me as if the grumbling beast took to me more in them. He went
easier. I shall do it: I know I shall. I didn't feel half so much like
pitching on to my nose as I did before. It's rum work, though, all the
same."

CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

FRANK'S FIRST MILESTONE.

It was just before daybreak on the fifth morning that everyone in the
cluster of tents was astir. Much had been done over night to advance
the preparations, so that nothing remained but the loading up of the
camels.

This last was being rapidly carried out in an orderly way. This one
with the water-skins, that with the meal; another bore personal effects;
while again another carried two English-made portmanteaus slung
pannier-fashion across its back, the carefully packed contents being the
Hakim's selected store of medicines, instruments, and surgical
appliances, reduced to the smallest compass possible for efficacy. The
other leathern receptacle contained instruments and bottles that were
heavy and cumbrous, Frank's own selection; and at the last minute, as he
saw the extent of the preparations and what a caravan their party made
for the long journey, he proposed to the Hakim and the professor when
they were alone that the scientific apparatus should be left behind with
their clothes, and other articles deemed unnecessary, in charge of the
little tribe.

"After all, they are only to play scientific conjuring tricks with,"
said Frank. "The idea occurred to me at first, but on more thinking the
matter over I don't fancy that they will pay for taking."

"I don't agree with you, Frank, lad," said the Hakim. "What you call
scientific conjuring tricks are really displays of the wonders of
nature, and are likely to impress the ignorant quite as much as any cure
I can effect."

"Quite so," said the professor; "they appeal at once to the eye. For my
part, I would not on any account leave the apparatus behind."

"As you like," said Frank. "I only thought our load was getting too
great."

A few words followed w