al on the spot and not to carry it as a
gift to Nell.

When they both returned a good fire was burning in the camp; water was
bubbling in the utensils in which boiled durra grain, two guinea-fowls,
and smoked strips of venison. Nell was already attired in a dry dress
but looked so wretched and pale that Stas became alarmed about her,
and, taking her hand to ascertain whether she had a fever, asked:

"Nell, what ails you?"

"Nothing, Stas; only I do want to sleep so much."

"I believe you! After such a night! Thank God, your hands are cool. Ah,
what a night it was! No wonder you want to sleep. I do also. But don't
you feel sick?"

"My head aches a little."

Stas placed his palm on her head. Her little head was as cold as her
hands; this, however, only proved great exhaustion and weakness, so the
boy sighed and said:

"Eat something warm and immediately afterwards lie down to sleep and
you will sleep until the evening. To-day, at least, the weather is fine
and it will not be as it was yesterday."

And Nell glanced at him with fear.

"But we will not pass the night here."

"No, not here, for there lie the gnawed remains of the horses; we will
select some other tree, or will go to the ravine and there will build a
zareba such as the world has not seen. You will sleep as peacefully as
in Port Said."

But she folded her little hands and began to beg him with tears that
they should ride farther, as in that horrible place she would not be
able to close her eyes and surely would become ill. And in this way she
begged him, in this way she repeated, gazing into his eyes, "What,
Stas? Well?" so that he agreed to everything.

"Then we shall ride by way of the ravine," he said, "for there is shade
there. Only promise me that if you feel weak or sick, you will tell me."

"I am strong enough. Tie me to the saddle and I will sleep easily on
the road."

"No. I shall place you on my horse and I shall hold you. Kali and Mea
will ride on the other and the donkey will carry the tent and things."

"Very well! very well!"

"Immediately after breakfast you must take a nap. We cannot start
anyway before noon. It is necessary to catch the horses, to fold the
tent, to rearrange the packs. Part of the things we shall leave here
for now we have but two horses altogether. This will require a few
hours and in the meantime you will sleep and refresh yourself. To-day
will be hot, but shade will not be lacking under the tree."

"An