er spoke nor moved, but drew back a little, watching the face
of the Baggara chief as the light struck full upon the swarthy, aquiline
features for a few minutes, before the visitor rose and handed back the
lamp, gazing full in the young man's eyes. Then, thrusting his hand
into his waist scarf, he freed the sheath of a handsome dagger from the
folds, and without a word handed it to Frank, motioning him to place it
in his own belt, after which he went silently out of the tent, vanishing
like a shadow.

Frank stood motionless for a few minutes before setting down the lamp,
and he was about to return to his place when the doctor's voice said
softly--

"Well, Frank, how is he?"

"Just the same," replied Frank. "You heard the chief come in, of
course?"

"The Baggara? No; surely he has not been again?"

"Yes; looked at his son, and went away a few minutes ago. Were you
asleep?"

"No, I think not--I am sure not," said the doctor. "I turned my face
away from the light when I lay down; but I heard you rise, and saw the
movement of the lamp over the tent side when you took it up, and again
when you set it down. Well, I am not sorry that he has been. It shows
that even such a savage chief as this--one who lives by rapine and
violence--has his natural feelings hidden somewhere in his heart."

The pair were silent for some little time, and then the doctor rose to
look at his patient in turn.

"These are the anxious hours, Frank," he said, "before daylight comes.
Much depends on our getting well through the next two. If the poor
fellow is alive at sunrise I shall feel quite satisfied that he will
recover; but if he does it will be by a very narrow way."

The pair sat then and listened and watched, with the patient still
breathing slowly and softly, seeming very calm at last when the first
faint dawn appeared; and soon after the doorway was shaded by the
Sheikh.

"How is he, Excellencies?" he said in a whisper.

"He will live, Ibrahim," replied the doctor. "Come and watch now while
we go to my tent and snatch a few hours' rest."

"I have some coffee ready for you, Excellency," whispered the old man.
"You will take that first?"

"Yes, it will be very welcome," said the doctor.

"I suppose you heard them go?" said the Sheikh, as they stepped out into
the soft grey light. "Go? Heard whom go?" said Frank quickly.

"The Baggara," replied the Sheikh. "About two hours ago."

"No!" said the doctor. "Not a so