my opinion, Miss Adams," said the Frenchman, hastily. "It
may be that Colonel Cochrane thinks otherwise."

"It is Monsieur Fardet's opinion against that of the officers who have
the responsibility of caring for the safety of the frontier," said the
Colonel, coldly. "At least we will all agree that they have the effect
of making the scene very much more picturesque."

The desert upon their right lay in long curves of sand, like the dunes
which might have fringed some forgotten primeval sea. Topping them they
could see the black, craggy summits of the curious volcanic hills which
rise upon the Libyan side. On the crest of the low sand-hills they would
catch a glimpse every now and then of a tall, sky-blue soldier, walking
swiftly, his rifle at the trail. For a moment the lank, warlike figure
would be sharply silhouetted against the sky. Then he would dip into a
hollow and disappear, while some hundred yards off another would show
for an instant and vanish.

"Wherever are they raised?" asked Sadie, watching the moving figures.
"They look to me just about the same tint as the hotel boys in the
States."

"I thought some question might arise about them," said Mr. Stephens, who
was never so happy as when he could anticipate some wish of the pretty
American. "I made one or two references this morning in the ship's
library. Here it is--_re_--that's to say, about black soldiers. I have
it on my notes that they are from the 10th Soudanese battalion of the
Egyptian army. They are recruited from the Dinkas and the Shilluks--two
negroid tribes living to the south of the Dervish country, near the
Equator."

"How can the recruits come through the Dervishes, then?" asked
Headingly, sharply.

"I dare say there is no such very great difficulty over that," said
Monsieur Fardet, with a wink at the American.

"The older men are the remains of the old black battalions. Some of them
served with Gordon at Khartoum and have his medal to show. The others
are many of them deserters from the Mahdi's army," said the Colonel.

"Well, so long as they are not wanted, they look right elegant in those
blue jackets," Miss Adams observed. "But if there was any trouble, I
guess we would wish they were less ornamental and a bit whiter."

"I am not so sure of that, Miss Adams," said the Colonel. "I have seen
these fellows in the field, and I assure you that I have the utmost
confidence in their steadiness."

"Well, I'll take your word without tryi