ve told Mahmud that my honour is concerned, and
that I would give my life for yours. Months ago, he would have braved
the anger of all his army for me, but he has changed much of late. It
is not that he loves me less, but that he has been worried beyond
bearing, and in his troubles he drinks until he forgets them.

"My only hope is that your people will attack tomorrow. Mahmud says
that they will assuredly be beaten; they will be shot down as they
approach, and none will ever be able to get through the hedge. Then,
when they fall back, the Baggara will pour out, horse and foot, and
destroy them. They will then see how right he has been in not letting
them go out into the plain to fight. His influence will be restored,
and your life will be safe.

"We are to be removed to the farther side of the wood, when the
fighting begins; and there all the women are to be gathered, and wait,
till the infidels are utterly destroyed.

"If your people come tomorrow morning, you may be saved. Otherwise I
fear the worst."

"I thank you for what you have done for me," replied Gregory, "and
whatever comes of it, be sure that I shall feel grateful to you, and
shall not blame you for not having been able to do what was impossible.
I hope my friends may come tomorrow, for, whatever my fate may be,
anything is better than uncertainty."

"May Allah protect you!" the woman said, with a sob; "and go now. I
hear Mahmud calling me."

Chapter 12: The Battle Of Atbara.

Gregory had little sleep that night. It was clear to him that there was
absolutely no chance of making his escape. Even were his two guards
withdrawn, it would not improve his position. He had no means of
disguise, and even if he had an Arab dress and could stain his face, he
could not hope to make his way through the crowds of sleeping men, the
pitfalls and trenches, and pass out through the jealously guarded
zareba. There was nothing, for him, but to wait till the end.

He could not blame Mahmud. A leader on the eve of a great battle could
not, for the sake of a single captive, risk his influence and oppose
the wishes of his followers. It was much that he had, for his wife's
sake, postponed the fulfilment of his oath; and had so long withstood
the wishes of his most influential emirs. More could not be expected.
At any rate, he was better off than others who had been in the same
position. He had not, so far as he knew, a relation in the world--no
one who would be any