gth of the currents, the eddies and the
whirlpools, the hidden rocks--and the shore is far off, Saadat."

"It is not so far but that, if I could get breath to gather strength,
I should reach the land in time. Money--ah, but enough for this
expedition! That over, order, quiet yonder, my own chosen men as
governors, and I could"--he pointed towards the southern horizon--"I
could plant my foot in Cairo, and from the centre control the great
machinery--with Kaid's help; and God's help. A sixth of a million, and
Kaid's hand behind me, and the boat would lunge free of the sand-banks
and churn on, and churn on.... Friend," he added, with the winning
insistence that few found it possible to resist, "if all be well, and we
go thither, wilt thou become the governor-general yonder? With thee
to rule justly where there is most need of justice, the end would be
sure--if it be the will of God."

Ebn Ezra Bey sat for a moment looking into the worn, eager face,
indistinct in the moonlight, then answered slowly: "I am seventy, and
the years smite hard as they pass, and there or here, it little matters
when I go, as I must go; and whether it be to bend the lance, or bear
the flag before thee, or rule a Mudirieh, what does it matter! I will
go with thee," he added hastily; "but it is better thou shouldst not
go. Within the last three days I have news from the South. All that thou
hast done there is in danger now. The word for revolt has passed from
tribe to tribe. A tongue hath spoken, and a hand hath signalled"--his
voice lowered--"and I think I know the tongue and the hand!" He paused;
then, as David did not speak, continued: "Thou who art wise in most
things, dost decline to seek for thy foe in him who eateth from the same
dish with thee. Only when it is too late thou wilt defend thyself and
all who keep faith with thee."

David's face clouded. "Nahoum, thou dost mean Nahoum? But thou dost not
understand, and there is no proof."

"As a camel knows the coming storm while yet the sky is clear, by that
which the eye does not see, so do I feel Nahoum. The evils thou hast
suffered, Saadat, are from his hand, if from any hand in Egypt--"

Suddenly he leaned over and touched David's arm. "Saadat, it is of no
avail. There is none in Egypt that desires good; thy task is too great.
All men will deceive thee; if not now, yet in time. If Kaid favours thee
once more, and if it is made possible for thee to go to the Soudan, yet
I pray thee to s