me almost like
magic, but I certainly did not think that I should ever have to do such
a thing, myself.'

"'But what would be done if they had not that sleep medicine?'

"'The hakim said that, in that case, the wounded man would have to be
fastened down by bandages to the bed, and held by six strong men, so
that he could not move in the slightest. However, there is enough of
that stuff to last a hundred times or more; for, as you see, only a
good-sized spoonful was used.'

"The Emir, who had passed through the harem rooms, now opened the door.

"'Come in,' he said. 'My son is quiet, and has not moved. He has spoken
to his mother, and seems quite sensible. Is there anything more for you
to do to him?'

"'I will put a bandage loosely round his arm, and bind it to his body
so that he cannot move it in his sleep, or on first waking. It will not
be necessary for me to stay with him, as the ladies of the harem can
look after him; but I must remain in the next room, so as to be ready
to run in, at once, should they see that the wound is bleeding again. I
have asked the hakims to make a soothing potion, to aid him to sleep
long and soundly.'

"As I went up to the side of the bed, Abu smiled. I bent down to him,
and he said in a low voice:

"'All the pain has gone. May Allah bless you!'

"'I am afraid that you will feel more pain, tomorrow, but I do not
think it will be so bad as it was before. Now, I hope you will try to
go to sleep. You will be well looked after, and I shall be in the next
room, if you want me. The hakims will give you a soothing draught soon,
and you can have cool drinks when you want them.'

"Things went on as well as I could have wished. In four or five days
the threads came away, and I loosened the tourniquet slightly, and
strapped up the edges of the wound, which were already showing signs of
healing. For the first twenty-four hours I had remained always on
watch; after that the hakims took their turns, I remaining in readiness
to tighten up the tourniquet, should there be any rush of blood. I did
not leave the Emir's house, but slept in a room close by that of the
patient.

"There was now, however, no longer need for my doing so. The splendid
constitution of the young Baggara had, indeed, from the first rendered
any attendance unnecessary. There was no fever, and very little local
inflammation; and I was able to gladden his heart by telling him that,
in another fortnight, he would be able to