ssistant who
had helped the doctor the previous day was not present--that was all.

A couple of hours were taken up over the invalids, and they were left
out of pain and comforted by the Hakim's gentle hand, while when their
own tent was reached the Hakim was able to say that nothing could be
better than the state of his patients. With a couple more days'
attention they might be left to nature, and would soon be well.

That afternoon Sam set aside his English clothes and blossomed forth
into a showy-looking Arab, evidently feeling rather proud of his dress,
the most conspicuous part of which was a scarlet scarf broadly spread
around his waist, one which in an ordinary way would have been pretty
well hidden by the loose outer cotton robe, but which the man took ample
care should not have its brilliant tint eclipsed more than he could
help.

Naturally enough he sought the first opportunity he could find of
getting Frank alone in the tent, and began at once in rather a conscious
way.

"Beg pardon, sir," he said. "I mean, Ben Eddin. May I say Ben for
short?"

There was a short nod, and the man continued--

"I say, sir--Ben. It's very awkward, but the professor says I'm to
treat you as if you're my fellow servant. You won't like that?"

There was a quick, eager nod.

"Well, I sha'n't, Mr Ben. I can't help it, but it makes me feel
ashamed like, and as if I'd lost all respect for my master's young
friend."

Frank held out his hand with a smile, and kept it extended till, in a
slow, hesitating way and with a peculiar grimace, Sam took it, and felt
it held in a firm, manly, friendly grip.

"Oh, well, Mr Ben, if it's to be like that I can't help it; but please
recollect that however disrespectful I seem through this business my
'eart's in its right place, and I think just the same of you as ever I
did."

There was a quick, eager nod and a smile, which made the man look more
cheerful for a moment; but as he drew back his hand, he raised his white
garment involuntarily and began to wipe the fingers, passing the white
cotton over them two or three times before he realised what he was
doing.

"Oh," he exclaimed hastily, "what a hidiot I am! I beg your pardon, Mr
Ben, I do indeed. It seemed to me as if your hand must have come off
black. Eh?--Never mind; that's what you look as if you was saying.--
Thankye, sir. That's very good of you. Now you look as if you meant
that I should soon get used to it.--Ah, yo