SEVEN.

ANOTHER PATIENT.

The young Baggara chief was evidently in a wild state of excitement, and
turned at once to the professor, saying something in his own tongue,
which the Englishman struggled hard but failed, in spite of his slight
knowledge of the Baggara dialect, fully to grasp.

"I can't make him out," said the professor excitedly. "It is something
about a terrible battle and defeat."

"He means us to escape for our lives," said the doctor excitedly. "Yes,
look," he continued, for the young chief pointed to the window, nodded
to the speaker, and hurried away.

"Quick!" said the professor; "stop for nothing. We must get to the
camels, and take our chances."

As he spoke the young chief dashed in again, followed by the Sheikh, the
panting horse having been handed over to one of the guard; and this time
the young man crossed to Frank, laid his left hand upon the young man's
shoulder, smiling proudly, and waving his right hand in the air as if
cutting with his sword.

"The Emir's son bears the news, Excellencies, that there has been a
great battle, and that his father and his friends have routed the
rebellious ones, who have taken to flight, leaving many killed and
wounded, and among these there is the Emir's greatest friend. He has
been shot by a gun and is dying, but the Emir bids you be ready to bring
him back to life, for he is like a brother and saved him from his
treacherous foes."

"That's a modest demand for one evening, Robert, my son," said the
professor, with a quaintly humorous look. "How do you feel?"

"As if I had been raising the expectations of these people till the time
had come for their hopes to be dashed."

While he was speaking the triumphant blowing of trumpets and discordant
beating of drums, heard faintly upon the evening air, announced the
return of the victorious forces from what had doubtless been nothing
much more serious than a slight skirmish. But it was serious enough for
the friends.

"What is to be done?" said the professor. "We shall have to go to the
dying man's place."

The Sheikh heard what was said, and turned to question the young chief
at once.

"No, Excellencies," he said; "the Emir is having his brother chief borne
to his own house. He will be brought to the palace here, and will not
be long."

"Very well," said the Hakim gravely; "I will do my best. The
instruments, Ben Eddin," he continued, "and what is necessary."

Sam was already at the d