age, and the young Emir says that Ben Eddin is
wonderful."

"But it is so strange," said the professor; "the one is a chief, and the
other a slave."

"Yes, Excellency, but Ben Eddin is not a white, and he can be friends
with him."

"I suppose it means friendliness, Frank, and if you refuse it will give
offence. Ah, here's the Hakim. How is your patient?"

"Calming down into a natural sleep, and certainly better."

The professor told him of the young Emir's message, and the Hakim looked
grave.

"We cannot refuse," he said, "and it may mean a fresh opportunity for
getting new. You must go, Frank."

After the first surprise the latter felt all eagerness, for the reason
expressed by his friend, and going out into the garden he found the
young Emir impatiently waiting for him, and ready to greet him with a
warmth which showed that the object was friendly in the extreme, but he
stopped short, frowning and pointing to the young man's side.

For a few minutes Frank looked at him in a puzzled way, for his words
were perfectly unintelligible, till signs were made, the young Emir
touching his belt, sword, and dagger, and then pointing to the house.

After the gift that had been made a short time before there could be no
mistaking the meaning, and Frank went back to his room, took down the
sword, dagger, and belt from the wall, and walked back fastening them
on.

The young Emir's face lit-up with a boyish look of pleasure, and he
stood looking at the young Englishman for a few moments before making a
sign to him and hurrying off into the building, to return with a fine
white cotton robe, which he threw over Frank's shoulders, and then
stepped back to look at him with satisfaction, before catching him by
the arm and leading him to the gate, where Frank fully expected to see
camels waiting for them.

To his surprise two of the Baggara were standing there with the guards
holding a couple of fiery Arabian horses, and the young Emir signed to
Frank to mount, setting the example by springing up with all the
activity of one used from childhood to the saddle.

"Takes it for granted that I can ride," said Frank to himself, and he
stepped up to the beautiful animal, glanced at bit and reins, and then
examined the stirrups, which were after the fashion of those used by
Arab horsemen, far too short for an Englishman's style of riding.

He made signs to the man who held the horse, pointing to the stirrup
leathers, but in vai