ruggled with sleep; he did not realize
where he was and what had happened to him.

After a while, however, consciousness returned to him.

"Aha!" he thought, "yesterday there was a hurricane and we are
kidnapped, and this is a cave in which we sought shelter from the rain."

And he began to gaze around. At first he observed with astonishment
that the rain had passed away and that it was not at all dark in the
cave, as it was illuminated by the moon which was about to set. In its
pale beams could be seen the whole interior of that wide but shallow
niche. Stas saw distinctly the Arabs lying beside each other, and under
the other wall of the cave the white dress of Nell who was sleeping
close to Dinah.

And again great tenderness possessed his heart.

"Sleep, Nell--sleep," he said to himself; "but I do not sleep, and must
save her."

After this, glancing at the Arabs, he added in his soul:

"Ah! I do want to have all these rogues--"

Suddenly he trembled.

His gaze fell upon the leather case containing the short rifle
presented to him as a Christmas gift, and the cartridge boxes lying
between him and Chamis, so near that it would suffice for him to
stretch out his hand.

And his heart began to beat like a hammer. If he could secure the rifle
and boxes he would certainly be the master of the situation. It would
be enough in that case to slip noiselessly out of the niche, hide about
fifty paces away, among the rocks, and from there watch the exit of the
Sudanese and Bedouins. He thought that if they awakened and observed
his absence they would rush out of the cave together but at that time
he could with two bullets shoot down the first two and, before the
others could reach him, the rifle could be reloaded. Chamis would
remain but he could take care of him.

Here he pictured to himself four corpses lying in a pool of blood, and
fright and horror seized his breast. To kill four men! Indeed they were
knaves, but even so it was a horrifying affair. He recollected that at
one time he saw a laborer--a fellah--killed by the crank of a steam
dredge, and what a horrible impression his mortal remains, quivering in
a red puddle, made upon him! He shuddered at the recollection. And now
four would be necessary! four! The sin and the horror! No, no, he was
incapable of that.

He began to struggle with his thoughts. For himself, he would not do
that--No! But Nell was concerned; her protection, her salvation, and
her life w