in this city first, and at Khartoum later on?"

"No, Excellency," replied the Sheikh; "the men of the desert are men of
tents. They do not, like you of the West, make great cities with walls
and cannon; they come from the desert, and they will fight in the
desert. When the time comes they will advance from the city, to strike
their blow in the plain. We must try and make our effort then, for
Omdurman will be deserted whichever way the fight may go. Till the time
comes be watchful; help the Excellency Harry to grow strong; it will
make the journey easier for us all."

"I am ready now, Sheikh," said Harry gravely; "the strength is coming
fast, and as to my arm, it grows less painful day by day. You need not
stop for me."

"That is good news, Excellency," said the old man, smiling. "We have
only to be patient, for I have great hopes. We have conquered in
everything up to now, in spite of all, and we shall go on to the end.
Only have faith, and trust to me."

CHAPTER FORTY.

IN SUSPENSE.

It was one bright evening after an exciting day, during which the
prisoners, shut up as they were within the walls of the Emir's so-called
palace, had gone through hours of feverish impatience, listening to the
trumpeting and drumming outside accompanying the marching of the troops,
but knowing nothing of what was going on save that the Egyptian army was
approaching. That they had learned through Ibrahim, and it was endorsed
by the officer of the guard.

From him, too, they learned that the new Mahdi had reached the
neighbourhood with a force of the finest fighting men led by Emirs of
great repute; and he added through Ibrahim that there could be no doubt
of the result, for the Egyptian army, the scouts declared, were weak and
trembling, ready to desert or throw down their arms, while the white men
had half perished by disease, and the other half were unfit to fight.

"But," said the Hakim through his interpreter, "we have had such reports
as these before, and they were not true."

"No, they were lies--all lies; but these words are true."

"And you think the Khalifa will conquer?"

"Oh, yes," said the man, with a look of calm satisfaction; "he cannot
fail."

"How do you know all this?"

"From the Emir my master," said the man proudly.

"Ah! You have seen him?"

"Yes: he rode in last night to see if all was well."

"What! The Emir came here?"

"Yes, and praised thy servant for all that he had done. He ga