the
Hakim if we say, look at these sufferers and give them words of comfort
if you can give them nothing more, not even hope?"

"I am a learned Hakim, you say, Sheikh, and I have come out here to use
my knowledge without fee or reward. Heaven helping me, I hope to do
much good, and I place myself in your hands. You will lead us where you
think best, and you will bring the people whom I ought to see. That is
enough."

"Yes, Excellency, and as soon as your friends are ready the breakfast
waits."

CHAPTER TEN.

AN OPERATION.

The meal prepared by the Sheikh's people astounded the little party--
there were crisp cutlets, freshly made cakes, bowls of a porridge made
with fresh milk and some kind of finely ground grain, and fruit in
abundance, while all pronounced the freshly roasted coffee to be
delicious. So appetising did it prove in the pleasant, subdued shadow
of the tent, that the weariness of the past night was forgotten by more
than one, for before the meal was at an end Sam made his appearance,
washed and refreshed, to help attend to his master's wants, and say in
answer to Frank's inquiries that he couldn't have believed he could feel
so much better in so short a time.

Frank smiled to himself, but he did not allude to the will. It was soon
evident, though, that the man had his words upon his conscience, for he
kept on giving Frank peculiar, meaning looks, one and all of which were
ignored, the only words that passed being later in the afternoon, when
Sam suddenly edged up close to his confidant and said--

"It's wonderful what a good rest does for a man, Mr Frank, sir, isn't
it?"

"Wonderful, Sam," was the reply. "I feel very little the worse for my
night's ride."

"That's just about like I am, sir, and--"

"I can't stop Sam," said Frank, interrupting him; "your master wants me
again."

Frank hurried back to the doctor's side to resume his position of
assistant, for he had been pretty busy making his first essays at the
task which was to be his for many months to come.

For the Sheikh's son had been seen, examined, and an operation
performed, one of a very simple nature, but sufficient to give instant
relief; while the Hakim's instructions that the lad was to remain lying
down for a month were not hard for one who had not stood up, save in
acute agony, for three years.

"I am well paid for this operation, Frank, my lad," said the Hakim, when
he left the lad's tent; for the old Sheikh h