at their moustaches. It is a very catching
thing, ill-temper, for even Stephens began to be angry at their anger,
and to scowl at them as they passed him. Here they were at a crisis in
their fate, with the shadow of death above them, and yet their minds
were all absorbed in some personal grievance so slight that they could
hardly put it into words. Misfortune brings the human spirit to a rare
height, but the pendulum still swings.

But soon their attention was drawn away to more important matters. A
council of war was being held beside the wells, and the two Emirs, stern
and composed, were listening to a voluble report from the leader of the
patrol. The prisoners noticed that, though the fierce, old man stood
like a graven image, the younger Emir passed his hand over his beard
once or twice with a nervous gesture, the thin, brown fingers twitching
among the long, black hair.

"I believe the Gippies are after us," said Belmont. "Not very far off
either, to judge by the fuss they are making."

"It looks like it. Something has scared them."

"Now he's giving orders. What can it be? Here, Mansoor, what is the
matter?"

The dragoman came running up with the light of hope shining upon his
brown face.

"I think they have seen something to frighten them. I believe that
the soldiers are behind us. They have given the order to fill the
waterskins, and be ready for a start when the darkness comes. But I am
ordered to gather you together, for the Moolah is coming to convert
you all. I have already told him that you are all very much inclined to
think the same with him."

How far Mansoor may have gone with his assurances may never be known,
but the Mussulman preacher came walking towards them at this moment with
a paternal and contented smile upon his face, as one who has a pleasant
and easy task before him. He was a one-eyed man, with a fringe of
grizzled beard and a face which was fat, but which looked as if it had
once been fatter, for it was marked with many folds and creases. He had
a green turban upon his head, which marked him as a Mecca pilgrim. In
one hand he carried a small brown carpet, and in the other a parchment
copy of the Koran. Laying his carpet upon the ground, he motioned
Mansoor to his side, and then gave a circular sweep of his arm to
signify that the prisoners should gather round him, and a downward wave
which meant that they should be seated. So they grouped themselves round
him, sitting on the short