h learned from their
guard that Harry Frere's master had marched with all his force to join
the Emir and his son, who were camping out waiting the arrival of other
bands before joining forces with the Khalifa.

"Many have left the city, Excellency," he said, "but more have come in,
and the streets are filled with strangers who know us not."

"Then now ought to be the time for us to escape."

"Yes, Excellency," said the old man sadly, "but we are watched and
guarded here. I fear that our chief guard has begun to doubt us, and he
will watch us more closely still."

"That is awkward," said the professor.

"Yes, Excellency, and it is impossible to journey now with all these
strangers here ready to stop us, to plunder if not to slay."

"More awkward still, Ibrahim."

"Yes, Excellency, for if we started some night, instead of all being of
good courage, light and rejoicing in our strength and in having saved
the young Excellency's brother, we have two sick men."

"Most awkward of all, Ibrahim," said the professor. "But never mind; we
have mastered all difficulties so far, and it will go hard if we do not
conquer after all."

"Yes, Excellency, and we will try."

The professor went and talked over all he had heard with the Hakim, and
as he did so he felt that there was a compensation for it all in the
sight of Harry Frere lying upon the angareb, peaceful and at rest, with
his brother grasping his uninjured hand.

"The sight of Harry did more good," he muttered, "than all the doctor's
stuff."

During the next few days the dread of the guard's suspicions died out
and was pretty well forgotten in the wild excitements which followed one
upon another. For the Khalifa's troops came pouring into the place and
camping around in all directions, till the poorer inhabitants, and those
who lived by trade, began to long for a deliverance from their so-called
friends, feeling truthfully that the occupation of the place by the
enemy--British and Egyptian--from the north, would be a welcome
blessing.

Meanwhile fresh news was always being brought in by spies and scouts.
The enemy was approaching fast; he was devastating all before him and
covering the banks of the river with the slain, who were being swept
down the rapid streams by thousands.

The enemy had come by boat, by camel, by horse, and by means of the
strange litters which ran on rails of iron. They had advanced in all
their proud strength, with standards flying a