clined on the
ground that they had an ample supply of their own, to which he had made
so thoughtful an addition. But now that the last sufferer had left the
neighbourhood of the tent, and the Hakim and his aides had prepared
themselves for their well-earned evening meal. Sam and one of the
Sheikh's young men had been busy over a fire, and there was ready for
the Hakim's repast one portion of the roasted kid, the other being
handed over to the Sheikh's party.

The cleverly cooked and browned meat sent forth an appetising odour, the
evening was cool, and the sky of a delicious hue; and spread upon a
cloth upon the level sand all was ready, including the newly baked
cakes, with the additional luxury of fruit--rich, golden-yellow, buttery
bananas such as are not known in Europe, and the cloying but wholesome
honey-flavoured date.

All looked tempting, for the cool draughts of clear water from the
spring and the restful bathe had taken away the weary sensation of
nauseating distaste for food consequent upon the ordeal through which
the doctor and his companions had passed.

But then just as the party had taken their seats, the professor, in a
grimly malicious way, proceeded to spoil the feast.

"Such a shame," he said solemnly; "that kid and the luscious fruit we
are going to eat must have been plundered by these savage ruffians from
some village. I don't think we shall either of us have the heart to
touch a bit."

A blank silence seemed to fall upon the group, the Hakim thrusting away
his knife, Frank, who half knelt behind him, as a slave should, waiting
for such morsels as the Hakim might condescend to pass, darted a fierce
look at the speaker, and the Sheikh, who shared their table now and was
in the act of behaving, in spite of his intercourse with Europeans, in a
very ungentlemanly way--for he was trying the edge of his knife--dropped
it as if he had cut his thumb, and stared as angrily as Frank.

"But, Landon, old friend," said the Hakim at last, "I am hungry! Surely
it is not our fault that the food was stolen--if it was."

"No, but we should be encouraging the Baggara to go on plundering if we
ate these things."

"Do you think so really?" said the doctor; and then a change came over
the professor's face which made Morris shake his head and attack the
much needed food at once.

CHAPTER NINETEEN.

THE EMIR'S SON.

It was a strange experience to sit outside the tent door that night,
breathing the