thing else. Could you ride and drive a camel?"

"What, one of them wobbly, humpy things at the Zoo? I never tried, sir,
but I've seen the children have rides on them. I could soon manage one
o' them, sir. I'd try an elephant if it came to that."

The professor shook his head disparagingly, and Sam gave Frank and his
master an imploring look, which made the former take his part. "Look
here, professor," he said quietly; "really I think it might be managed,"
and Sam's long face shortened.

"Managed! Do you think we shall do what we propose if you and Morris
take your valets?"

"There is going to be a black slave in the party," said Frank, "and I do
not see why the Hakim should not have a barber who is a white slave."

"Humph!" ejaculated the professor, in a regular camel-like grunt, and he
set up his back after the manner of that animal.

"Would you mind going as a slave, Sam?" asked Frank--"the Hakim's
slave?"

"Not a bit, sir, so long as Mr Hakim's going to be one of the party.
Me mind being a slave? Not I. Ain't Mr Harry one pro tempenny? I'm
willing, sir, willing for anything. I don't want no wages. I want to
go."

"And you shall go, Samuel," said the doctor firmly. "I'll talk the
matter over with Mr Landon."

"Thankye, sir, thankye," cried the man joyfully. "And I beg your
pardon, Mr Landon, sir; don't you take against me because it's going
against you. I'm willing to do any manner of things to make you
gentlemen comfortable all the time."

"I believe you, Sam," said the professor. "There, I give way."

"Thankye kindly, sir!" cried the man excitedly.

"But look here. It is only due to him that he should be told that we
are going upon a very dangerous expedition. We shall have to travel
amongst people who would think it a meritorious action to cut our
throats if they had the merest suspicion that we were going to try and
rescue Mr Harry Frere. Then we shall have the risks of fever, dying
from thirst, perhaps from hunger, and as likely as not being taken
prisoners ourselves and made slaves--are you listening, Sam?"

"Hearing every word, sir. But I say, sir, is it as bad as that?"

"Honestly, my man," said the professor solemnly; "it is all that and
worse, because we shall have to cut ourselves adrift from all Government
protection and trust to our own wits. Now then, my man, do not hesitate
for an instant--if you feel that you cannot cheerfully put up with peril
and danger, and dare