you have done your
utmost to set the ball rolling; now let it roll, and only give it a
touch when you are asked. Believe me that you will be doing your best
then."

"I will try," said Frank firmly. "Only give me time. I am schooling
myself as hardly as I can. It is a difficult part to play."

The professor reached out his hand and gripped his young companion's
shoulder firmly, riding on for some minutes without relaxing his grasp,
the touch conveying more in the way of sympathy than any words would
have done, while the discomforts of the novel ride seemed to die away,
and the soft dreaminess of the night grew soothing; the vast silvery
grey expanse, melting away in its vastness, became lit-up with a faint
halo of hope, and with his spirits rising, Frank seemed another man when
the professor spoke again--

"Bob Morris will be feeling neglected."

"Go to him, then," said Frank quietly.

"No; you go first. But there's nothing like making a beginning at
once."

"In what way?" asked Frank, for his companion paused.

"Begin treating him as what he is to be till our task is done--the
learned Hakim; and begin to school yourself into acting as his slave."

"Now?"

"Why not? I spoke of him just now as Bob Morris. That's the last time
till we are safely under the British flag again."

"Yes, you are right," said Frank, and urging on his camel the animal
stepped out and passed of its own accord alongside that of the doctor,
who uttered a sigh of relief as he saw who it was.

"That's better, Frank," he said. "I was beginning to feel a bit lonely,
for this ride is not very cheerful, and the bringing of fresh muscles
into play is producing aches and pains."

Frank raised his hands to his head, and bowed down.

"Humph!" ejaculated the doctor; "not such a very bad imitation of a
salaam. What have you two been talking about?"

Frank raised his hand, and saw that his tall shadow was repeating the
action, as he pointed straight ahead.

"About our journey's end, eh?" said the doctor. "That's right. I shall
be glad to get there and lie down, if it is only upon the sand. How do
you get on with your camel?"

Frank made a despairing gesture.

"Same here," said the doctor. "I wish we could have had some lessons
first. But use is second nature, and I suppose this weary, aching
sensation of being waved about in the air will soon pass off. But I
say, Frank, my lad."

Frank turned to him.

"There, that will do