as evidently for the
purpose of placing them in the hands of Smain. In no case does death
threaten them. And this is a fortune in misfortune; still a terrible
journey awaits them which might be disastrous for them."

And at once he shared these thoughts with his friend, after which he
spoke thus:

"Idris and Gebhr, like savage and foolish men, imagine that followers
of the Mahdi are not far, while Khartum, which the Mahdi reached, is
about one thousand two hundred and forty miles from here. This journey
they must make along the Nile and not keep at a distance from it as
otherwise the camels and people would perish from thirst. Ride at once
to Cairo and demand of the Khedive that despatches be sent to all the
military outposts and that a pursuit be organized right and left along
the river. Offer a large reward to the sheiks near the banks for the
capture of the fugitives. In the villages let all be detained who
approach for water. In this manner Idris and Gebhr must fall into the
hands of the authorities and we shall recover the children."

Mr. Rawlinson had already recovered his composure.

"I shall go," he said. "Those miscreants forgot that Wolseley's English
army, hurrying to Gordon's relief, is already on the way and will cut
them off from the Mahdi. They will not escape. They cannot escape. I
shall send a despatch to our minister in a moment, and afterwards go
myself. What do you intend to do?"

"I shall telegraph for a furlough, and not waiting for an answer, shall
follow then trail by way of the Nile to Nubia, to attend to the
pursuit."

"Then we shall meet, as from Cairo I shall do the same."

"Good! And now to work!"

"With God's help!" answered Mr. Rawlinson.

VII

In the meantime the camels swept like a hurricane over the sands
glistening in the moonlight. A deep night fell. The moon, at the
beginning as big as a wheel and ruddy, became pale and rolled on high.
The distant desert hills were enveloped with silvery vapors like muslin
which, not veiling their view, transformed them as if into luminous
phenomena. From time to time from beyond the rocks scattered here and
there came the piteous whining of jackals.

Another hour passed. Stas held Nell in his arms and supported her,
endeavoring in this way to allay the fatiguing jolts of the mad ride.
The little girl began more and more frequently to ask him why they were
speeding so and why they did not see the tents and their papas. Stas
finally