d
them to witness that, at the Emir's command, I was going to try to do
the operation I had seen the white doctor perform, although I was but
an ignorant man, and feared greatly that I might fail. I really was
desperately nervous, though at the same time I did feel that, having
seen the operation performed two or three times, and as it was a simple
one, I ought to be able to do it. Of course, I had everything laid
handy. The tourniquet was first put on the arm, and screwed tightly.
Then I administered the chloroform, which took its effect speedily. My
nerves were braced up now, and I do think I made a fair job of
it--finding and tying up the arteries, cutting and sawing the bone off,
and making a flap. A few stitches to keep this together, and it was
done, and to my relief the Arab, who had lain as rigid as a statue,
winced a little when the last stitch was put in.

"This was the point on which I had been most anxious. I was not sure
whether the amount of chloroform he had inhaled might not have been too
strong for him.

"'Do not try to move,' I said, as he opened his eyes and looked round,
as if trying to remember where he was.

"As his eyes fell upon me, he said, 'When are you going to begin?'

"'I have finished,' I said, 'but you must lie quiet, for some time. The
slightest movement now might cause the flow of blood to burst out.'

"The Emir had stood staring at his son's quiet face, as if amazed
beyond the power of speech. Four Dervishes had held the patient's
limbs, so as to prevent any accidental movement. A female slave had
held a large basin of warm water, and another handed me the things I
pointed to. I had begged the hakims to keep their attention fixed on
what I was doing, in order that these also might see how the white
doctor did such things.

"When his son spoke, the Emir gave a gasp of relief. 'He lives,' he
murmured, as if even now he could scarcely believe that this was
possible; and as he put his hand upon my shoulder it trembled with
emotion.

"'Truly the ways of the white infidels are marvellous. Abu, my son,
Allah has been merciful! He must have meant that you should not die,
and thus have sent this man, who has seen the white hakims at work, to
save your life!

"What is to be done now?' he went on, turning to me.

"'He should be raised very gently, and clothes put under his shoulder
and head. Then he should be carried, on the angareb, to the coolest
place in the house. He may drink a li