at Hakim and his slaves are to have
no fear, for the Baggara are their friends."

"Yes, and mean to keep the Hakim and his slaves as prisoners as long as
there are any cripples to cure," said the professor merrily.

"I suppose that is what it means," said the doctor quietly.

"That's it, sure enough," said the professor; "and we shall reach
Khartoum, Frank, in half the time we should have managed it in if we had
been left to ourselves."

Frank shook his head sadly.

"What! you doubt?" cried the professor. "Here, Ibrahim, what do you say
to that?"

"His Excellency is quite right," replied the Sheikh. "We should have
had to wander here and there, and have met with many hindrances by
having to stay to perform cures of the sick people. Yes, it would have
been a journey of many weary months."

"It will take much time now," said the professor, "but it looks as if we
were really bound due south."

"I suppose there is a party of wounded men on the way?" said the doctor.

"Yes, they follow the chief's visits," said the professor. "My word!
learned one, your post is going to be no sinecure. Hah! here comes the
first instalment."

For a roughly contrived litter was seen approaching, and directly after
the chief's son was borne up to them by four of his followers and set
down in front of the doctor, who attended to his patient, finding him no
worse for his journey.

He was carried away again as soon as the Hakim had seen that his wound
was healing well, and the arrival of the newly injured was expected; but
none appeared, for the simple reason that the fresh tale of wounded was
only imaginary, the Baggara chief, as was afterwards learned, having
been successful in obtaining a large amount of plunder and many camels
in his first raid after leaving the prisoners at the wells. These he
had despatched under a small escort while he made for another village
which had been marked down. Here, however, he met with a severe
reverse, his men having to gallop for their lives, leaving their dead
and wounded behind.

Hence it was, then, that the Hakim's burden became light for the rest of
the march, which was continued day after day, week after week, till so
slow was the progress that months had passed and the despair in Frank's
soul grew deeper.

The party were well treated, and won the respect of the whole force from
the many kindly acts they were able to perform. For sickness was more
than once a deadly foe which had