alive."

The Colonel's well-curved nose took a higher tilt, and an angry flush
reddened his thin cheeks. He rode in silence for a little, for his
Indian service had left him with a curried-prawn temper, which had had
an extra touch of cayenne added to it by his recent experiences. It was
some minutes before he could trust himself to reply.

"We'll set that aside," said he, at last.

"Some things are possible and some are not. This is not."

"You need only pretend."

"That's enough," said the Colonel, abruptly.

Mansoor shrugged his shoulders.

"What is the use of asking me, if you become angry when I answer? If you
do not wish to do what I say, then try your own attempt. At least you
cannot say that I have not done all I could to save you."

"I'm not angry," the Colonel answered, after a pause, in a more
conciliatory voice, "but this is climbing down rather farther than we
care to go. Now, what I thought is this. You might, if you chose, give
this priest, or Moolah, who is coming to us, a hint that we really are
softening a bit upon the point. I don't think, considering the hole that
we are in, that there can be very much objection to that. Then, when
he comes, we might play up and take an interest and ask for more
instruction, and in that way hold the matter over for a day or two.
Don't you think that would be the best game?"

"You will do as you like," said Mansoor. "I have told you once for ever
what I think. If you wish that I speak to the Moolah, I will do so.
It is the fat, little man with the grey beard, upon the brown camel in
front there. I may tell you that he has a name among them for converting
the infidel, and he has a great pride in it, so that he would certainly
prefer that you were not injured if he thought that he might bring you
into Islam."

"Tell him that our minds are open then," said the Colonel. "I don't
suppose the _padre_ would have gone so far, but now that he is dead I
think we may stretch a point. You go to him, Mansoor, and if you work it
well we will agree to forget what is past. By the way, has Tippy Tilly
said anything?"

"No, sir. He has kept his men together, but he does not understand yet
how he can help you."

"Neither do I. Well, you go to the Moolah, and I'll tell the others what
we have agreed."

The prisoners all acquiesced in the Colonel's plan, with the exception
of the old New England lady, who absolutely refused even to show any
interest in the Mohammedan cre