hristian subjects, and
have fought as bravely for her as her own white troops.'

"'I had never thought,' the Emir said, 'that the time would come when I
should call an infidel my friend; but now that I can do so, I feel that
there is much in what you say. However, your secret must be kept. Were
it known that you are a white man, you would be torn to pieces in the
streets; and even were you to remain here, where assuredly none would
dare touch you, the news would speedily travel to my lord the Mahdi,
and he would send a troop of horse to bring you to him. Therefore,
though I would fain honour you, I see that it is best that you should,
to all save myself, continue to be Mudil. I will not even, as I would
otherwise have done, assign you a house, and slaves, and horses in
token of my gratitude to you for having saved the life of my son.

"'Something I must do, or I should seem utterly ungrateful. I can, at
any rate, give you rooms here, and treat you as an honoured guest. This
would excite no remark, as it would be naturally expected that you
would stay here until my son is perfectly cured. I shall tell no one,
not even my wife; but Abu I will tell, when he is cured, and the secret
will be as safe with him as with me. I think it would please him to
know. Although a Baggara like myself, and as brave as any, he is
strangely gentle in disposition; and though ready and eager to fight,
when attacked by other tribes, he does not care to go on expeditions
against villages which have not acknowledged the power of the Mahdi,
and makes every excuse to avoid doing so. It will please him to know
that the man who has saved his life is one who, although of a different
race and religion, is willing to do kindness to an enemy; and will love
and honour you more, for knowing it.'

"'I thank you deeply, Emir, and anything that I can do for members of
your family, I shall be glad to do. I have a knowledge of the usages of
many of the drugs in the chest that was brought here. I have not dared
to say so before, because I could not have accounted for knowing such
things.'

"So at present I am installed in the Emir's palace, and my prospects
grow brighter and brighter. After the great victory the Mahdi has won,
it is likely that he will be emboldened to advance against Khartoum. In
that case he will, no doubt, summon his followers from all parts, and I
shall be able to ride with the Emir or his son; and it will be hard if,
when we get near th