said Sam scornfully. "Don't talk about it. Why, I
went down into the country with the Hakim once, and we rode part of the
way nearly twice as fast as I said. Not eighty miles an hour, but
seventy; that's a fact. Hullo! what's going on now? They look as if
they're going to eat us."

"It is only their way of showing joy, Mr Samuel."

"But they're a-shouting, `Hay--keem! Hay--keem!'"

"They have heard how the Hakim saved the Emir's and his son's lives and
cured so many more. Hark they are saying that a great prophet is come,
and they are crying aloud for joy."

"Prophet!" said Sam grimly, as he made an atrocious joke; "not much
profit for him, poor chap. Why, they'll bring all the sore places out
of the town for him to cure."

"Yes, he will be a great man here."

"And him sitting so cool and quiet there on his camel in his robes and
turban, looking like one of Madame Tussaud's wax figures out for the
day."

For the excitement had been rapidly increasing, as the returning party
were met and passed through the crowd, who had shouted themselves hoarse
by way of welcome to the warriors, their chiefs, and to their plunder.
The wild music, the sight of the fighting men and the spoil, had done
much; but the news, which had spread like fire through tow, of the Hakim
and his powers seemed to drive the excitable, wonder-loving people
almost wild. It was another prophet come into their midst, and had the
procession lasted much longer the Hakim's career in Omdurman would have
commenced with a long task of healing the injured who had been crushed
by the crowd.

Fortunately for all, the English party and the people themselves, the
two lines of mounted men helped to keep back the rush of the crowd who
pressed forward to see the great man of whose deeds they had just heard,
and the length, the intricacy, and narrowness of the streets played
their part in lessening the gathering; but it was a weary journey--one
which grew slower and slower, till the city was completely traversed,
and the mounted men rode off to one side, leaving the Hakim's followers
to pass through the rough gateway of a high mud wall, over which were
seen the pleasantest objects of the morning's ride.

For over the wall rose the broad leaves of palms, and as the party rode
into and under the greenery of a large enclosure, they found themselves
in sight of the Emir's palace, with the camel litter just in front--a
palace of sun-baked mud, at whose entra