rbers have become grand viziers, and in such shaving countries
a barber is held in high respect. He would be all right there. But no,
no, I cannot be weak over so vital a thing as this. Just think, you
two, of the consequences if through some inept act on his part he should
ruin all our prospects."

"Me, sir?" cried Sam excitedly; "me ruin your prospects by committing
that there act as you said! I wouldn't do it for any money. Take a
oath before a magistrate or a judge that I wouldn't I don't even know
what it is."

"Oh, you'd do your best, I believe, Sam," said the professor.

"I'm glad you do, sir," said the man, who was almost whimpering. "It
sounds hard on an old servant to be thought likely to do what you said."

"But look here, my lad; we ought to do all that is wanted for ourselves,
excepting such little jobs as we could set the Arabs to do."

"Arabs, sir? The Arabs!" cried Sam. "Oh, I don't think much of them.
I've seen 'em. That lot as come over to London seven years ago.
Bed-ridden Arabs they call theirselves. They could tumble head over
heels, and fire off guns when they were in the air; but you gentlemen
want a good honest English servant, not a street tumbler and accryback."

"Tut, tut, tut! listen to me," said the professor. "Do you know what
the desert is like?"

"Can't say I know much about it, sir, only what I read in Mungo Park's
travels. Deal o' sand, ain't there?"

"Yes," said the professor, "there is a deal of sand there, and no
houses, no butlers' pantries, no kitchens."

"Well, sir, if I made up a box with half a knifeboard for a lid, and my
bottle o' blacking, my brushes, and a leather or two and the rouge for
my plate, I daresay I could get on."

"Bah-h-h-h!" snarled the professor. "Why didn't you add a big stone
filter, a plate-rack, and a kitchen boiler? My good man, you're
impossible."

"I ain't, sir, 'pon my word. You mean I should have to make more of a
shift. Well, of course I would."

"Look here, then, I grant that you can shave. You can make a fire, boil
water, and cook?"

"Can I, sir?" cried the man scornfully. "I should think I can!"

"Can you cook kabobs?"

"What's them, sir--Egyptian vegetables?"

"Vegetables! Hark at him! Did you ever hear of Kous-kous?"

"Can't say I ever did, sir; but look here, I'll buy `Cookery for the
Million,' and I'll soon learn."

"Oh, you're improving!" said the professor sarcastically. "Here, I'll
try you on some