ing talked to the head of their guard, but he was
far from communicative. He would not say anything about his chief's
proceedings, nor even allow that he would return, but told the Arab
sternly that no one must stir from the little camp; at the same time,
though, he showed Ibrahim that he was left with a supply of provisions
for many days to come, and that he was ready to furnish the Hakim's
party with meat and corn.

"Then we must wait, Ibrahim," said Frank wearily.

"Yes, Excellency," replied the old man, "and have patience. These
people have it in their power to turn us back, or make slaves and
prisoners of us; while if we resist--well, Excellency, I need not tell
you what would come. They are masters, and if a servant does not do
their bidding, the sand drinks up his blood, and he is no more. They
look upon us now, though, as their friends, and sooner or later the
Baggara chief will return, if he does not encounter some of the English
troops and have his people scattered."

"Which is hardly likely yet," said the professor decisively.

"No, Excellency, not yet; and I feel sure that after he has swept the
country round of everything worth taking he will retreat south."

"Where?" said Frank quickly.

"There are but two places at all likely, Excellency," replied the old
man; "Omdurman and Khartoum, one of which will be the headquarters of
the new Mahdi's force, and that is where you wish to be."

As had been said, there was too much to do for the English party to have
much time for brooding. The Hakim was deeply interested in his
patients, forgetting everything in the brave fight he made to save every
life; and Frank strove manfully to hide the heart-sickness and despair
which attacked him as he worked away over what soon settled down into
field hospital work, being conscious all the while that he and his
friends were carefully watched, but not in a troublesome way, for the
Baggara guard had formed a little camp of their own and kept rigorously
to themselves, their duty being to mount guard night and day and see
that the prisoners and patients were supplied with all that was needed.

And so the time glided by, with Frank daily growing more careworn and
silent. He did not even revert to the object of their journey unless it
was mentioned by his companions, but worked away, helping the doctor,
and having the satisfaction of seeing first one poor helpless wreck
become convalescent and then another. For there