ho had been giving orders to his young men
not to let the camels stray, rejoined them, and he gave the doctor a
look full of reverence.

"It was a great, a noble cure, O Hakim," he said. "That wound was
dangerous, was it not?"

"He would have been delirious by this time to-morrow, Ibrahim," said the
doctor.

"Delirious?" said the Sheikh, hesitating. "Oh, yes, I know--mad."

"And blood-poisoning would have set in. Without attention he would have
been a dead man before a week had passed."

"But now, O Hakim--now?"

"With care and attention to his wound he will soon recover."

"Hah! It is good. His people would have slain us if he had fallen."

"But what about now, Ibrahim?" said the professor. "He said it was
peace, but will he keep his word and let us go?"

"Hah!" said the Sheikh quietly; "I think not yet. If their Excellencies
look around without seeming to notice they will see that men have been
placed in five places at a distance like sentries of the Khedival
guard."

"To keep a look out for the approach of enemies," said Frank quickly.
"Well, it is soldierly."

"It might be to keep us from stealing away," said the Sheikh drily.

"Yes, of course," said the professor. "But look here, Ibrahim, who are
these likely to be?"

"One of the wandering bands of the desert, Excellency, who rob and
murder all they come across."

"Pleasant neighbours!" said the doctor quietly.

"But are they likely to be connected with the Khalifa--the Mahdi, or any
of that party?" said the professor.

"I think so, Excellency," replied the Sheikh. "These people travel far
and wide. Perhaps this is one of the Khalifa's chiefs."

"Well, then--listen, all of you," said the professor. "If these
sentries are to keep us in bounds we are prisoners, Ibrahim?"

"Yes, Excellency."

"And we shall have to go where they go, for they will never stay here."

"It is right, Excellencies."

"And you think it possible that this may be one of the new Mahdi's
wandering bands?"

"Yes, Excellency; sent forth to see if the English and Egyptian forces
are advancing, as well as to gather plunder."

"Then by and by they will rejoin their leader far away yonder at
Omdurman or Khartoum?"

"It is most likely, Excellency."

"Then so long as they treat us decently it seems to me that nothing
could have happened better," continued the professor; "they will lead us
exactly where we want to go, and see that no other party takes a fancy
t