k face glistened as he took it with a solemn bow and handed it
to Sam with a sign that he should take it into the tent, noting how the
man's hand trembled, but avoiding his eyes, and turning sharply to the
scene being enacted behind him.

As he turned, it was to see the Hakim raise his strong, white hands to
spread his great dark beard over his chest, and then sign to the chief
to kneel.

This was met by an angry look of resentment, and the younger chief
uttered a sharp ejaculation, which was followed by a murmur behind him.

It was a critical moment, but the natural superstition in the Baggara
proved too strong. He yielded to the powerful gaze which completely
mastered his, and went slowly down on one knee, still holding out his
injured arm.

As this was done the doctor threw back the sleeves of his robes, turned
up his beautifully clean shirt-sleeves, and displayed his strong white
arms. Then raising his hands he removed his jewelled turban and passed
it to the professor, who was ready to take it in his hands, to hold it
with reverent care.

Once more a low murmur ran round the crowd, as with increased curiosity
they stared at the noble white head of the grand-looking man seated
before them, while their curiosity was raised to the highest pitch.

The Hakim's movements were rapid now; he took the chief's swarthy hand
in his, and his fingers were cool and soft to the burning skin he
touched. Then raising his right he laid it upon the biceps, to find all
tensely swollen and fevered.

The next minute he had taken a glittering little knife from the satchel
he wore at his waist, and passed the keen point beneath the coarse
cotton bandage, dividing it twice, so that the edges sprang apart, for
the cloth was cutting deeply into the swollen flesh.

With deft fingers then he quickly unrolled the bandage, letting the
foul, badly stained cotton fall upon the sand at his feet, laying bare
to the sunlight a terrible cut running up from just above the wrist to
the elbow joint, evidently caused by the thrust of one of the
leaf-bladed spears, and now from long neglect horribly inflamed, and
threatening danger, while the suffering it must have caused had
doubtless been extreme.

The Hakim's examination was quick, and as he ran his eyes over the wound
and touched it here and there, he spoke without turning his head.

"Basin, sponges, plenty of water. Lint, bandages, dressings,
antiseptics, and my instruments."

Frank b