dignified pace to where the two chiefs stood, the younger
scowling fiercely now as he saw that his companion was beginning to
totter upon his legs and swaying slightly as if to fall.

But the Hakim paid no heed to his fierce glances, and held the glass to
his patient.

"_Bibe_," he said, in a tone of command, using medical Latin in
preference to English.

At the sound of his voice the Baggara, whose countenance had turned of a
peculiar, muddy hue, revived and turned to him sharply, saw, and
stretched out his hand eagerly for the glass, but shrank back directly
with a look of suspicion.

The Hakim smiled, raised the glass to his lips, and looking frankly in
his patient's eyes drank about a third of the liquid slowly, and would
have gone on, but the Baggara signed to him to desist, took the glass,
and swallowed the remainder, to stand for a few minutes with his eyes
half-closed and his hand clutching his brother chief's arm desperately.

"Why doesn't he make him lie down?" said the professor in a low tone to
Frank, who was standing by his companion's side as if waiting for the
Hakim's next command, but watching everything keenly the while.

"Afraid it would have a bad effect upon the people," said Frank in the
same low tone. "He has given him a dose of ammonia."

"If he goes down, my lad, I'm afraid that it will be bad for us."

"Afraid?" replied Frank. "We have made our plunge, and nothing must
make us afraid."

"That's right," said the professor; "but I wish that stuff would begin
to act."

"It is beginning to act," said Frank. "Look!"

He was right, for the chief drew a deep breath, his muscles seemed to be
growing more firm, and he stepped back from his companion, then signed
for his shield to be handed to him, placed the loops over the bandaged
arm, took his two spears, beckoned to the follower who held his horse,
and stood for a minute or two making believe to pat its beautiful,
arching neck and arrange its mane before placing a foot in the stirrup
and springing into the saddle, when another shout arose from his
followers, and Frank breathed more freely.

"That's about as savage, bloodthirsty a brute as his younger companion,"
said the professor softly; "but he's a brave man."

"Yes," said Frank laconically, as he kept his eyes fixed nervously upon
the chief. "Think he'll be able to keep his seat?"

"I hope so."

"So do I, for if he comes off with a thud I won't give much for our
lives. Hah!