bey his orders, though I
would rather stay with him. Tonight, I will leave."

"It is well. I would that I could let him go, also, but my oath
prevents me from giving him his freedom. I trust, however, that when
the Khalifa hears of his noble action, and how he has made me his
debtor, he will say that Allah himself would not blame me for that.
Gratitude is even more binding than an oath.

"Still, until I hear from him, I can do nothing. We have not seen
matters in the same light, for some time. When I wanted to strike, he
was unwilling that I should do so. Now, when it seems to me that the
time for that has passed, and that I had best retire on Omdurman, he
says go forward and fight. It is not for me to question his commands,
or his wisdom. But I may not give him cause for anger.

"My advice to you is, when you get to Berber, do not stay there. We
shall assuredly be there before long, and as none would know that you
were under my protection, you would be slain. Go straight to Abu Hamed;
and when you hear that we have defeated the infidels, and have entered
Berber, leave by this road they have made, upon which, as they tell me,
carriages run without horses, and stay not until you reach Cairo.

"There you can live quietly, until you hear that the Khalifa's army is
approaching. After that, fly. I cannot say whither, but seek a shelter
until the black flag waves over the whole of the land. When there is no
more fighting, then come to me and I will give you a post of honour."

"I will do so, Emir. When the time comes, I will remind you of your
promise."

"I have neither silver nor gold with which I can reward you, now; but
we shall gather these things in Egypt, and I will make you wealthy."

Zaki thought that it would be unwise to wander from Mahmud's
encampment, and he accordingly sat down by his tent. Presently, one of
the slaves came out, with a large dish of food that Mahmud had sent
him. As evening approached, he went round to Gregory's little tent,
with the intention of trying to persuade him to attempt to escape with
him; but two of the tribesmen, with rifles in their hands, were
stationed there. They offered no opposition to his entry, but their
presence showed that Mahmud was determined that his master should
appear to be a close prisoner; as, indeed, his escape might well
jeopardize the Emir's position, even among his followers.

Gregory had a letter ready for him to carry to Captain Keppel. It ran
as follo