u
might get across from there to Suakim. But I cannot promise to help you
much."

"It is not my object to get out of the country at present," said Harry;
"quite the reverse. I thought that perhaps you might be able to make
use of me in some way, and wished to volunteer my services. I can make
myself understood in Arabic, if that is any use."

"Well, we have an interpreter," replied Hicks Pasha. "If you had served
we might be glad of you, but you are too young for that."

"I learned my drill as a volunteer," said Harry, "and I have been
successful at Wimbledon as a shot."

"Well, but I cannot put you in the ranks with natives," said the
General, laughing, "and I cannot take you about as a sort of animated
machine-gun. Can you ride?"

"Yes," replied Harry, who indeed had a very fair seat on horseback.

"I might make use of you then to gallop for me, or to go out with the
scouts, as you speak Arabic. Well, we will attach you as a volunteer
cadet to a company _pro tem_, at all events. An Englishman is always
useful to control the fire in action. But you must understand I do not
guarantee you any pay; we will put you on rations, and if your
commission is made out and confirmed I will do my best to obtain arrears
for you; but you must take your chance of all that."

Harry said that he quite understood, and only asked to be allowed to
accompany the expedition to El Obeid in any capacity. And then the
interview was over, and Harry left the tent, feeling quite as grateful
as he had expressed himself, and glad also to serve under such a chief.

It is curious how little things turn our minds in one direction or the
opposite. Twenty-four hours before, Harry Forsyth had no sympathy
whatever with the Turks and Egyptians, while he thought the wild tribes
of the Soudan fine fellows, and worthy of the independence they sought
to establish. Indeed, he had seen too much of the shameless corruption
and cruel extortion of Egyptian officials to feel differently.

And now, because he wanted to get to El Obeid on the chance of catching
Daireh, and because English officers of position and experience
commanded an Egyptian army, and the General of it had a "presence" which
inspired him with confidence and respect, he was ready to take up arms
in defence of a cause which had nothing, so far as he knew, to recommend
it, except that a certain amount of civilisation, the wearing of
trousers and petticoats, banking, railways, and