nd only from the glitter of
his eyes did Idris perceive that he spoke in vain.

Nevertheless, notwithstanding the urging of Gebhr and the Bedouins, he
did not order him to be bound for the night, and when Gebhr did not
cease his importunities, he replied with anger:

"Instead of going to sleep, you will to-night stand on guard. I have
decided that from this time one of us shall watch during the sleep of
the others."

And in reality a change of guards was introduced permanently from that
day. This rendered more difficult and completely frustrated all plans
of Stas to whom every sentinel paid watchful attention.

But on the other hand the children were left in greater freedom so that
they could approach each other and converse without hindrance.
Immediately after the first stop Stas sat close to Nell for he was
anxious to thank her for her aid.

But though he felt great gratitude to her he did not know how to
express himself, either in a lofty style or tenderly; so he merely
began to shake both of her little hands.

"Nell!" he said, "you are very good and I thank you; and besides this I
frankly say that you acted like a person of at least thirteen years."

On Stas' lips words like these were the highest praise; so the heart of
the little woman was consumed with joy and pride. It seemed to her at
that moment that nothing was impossible. "Wait till I grow up, then
they will see!" she replied, throwing a belligerent glance in the
direction of the Sudanese.

But as she did not understand the cause of the trouble and why all the
Arabs rushed at Stas, the boy told her how he had determined to purloin
the rifle, kill the camels, and force all to return to the river.

"If I had succeeded," he said, "we would now be free."

"But they awoke?" asked the little girl with palpitating heart.

"They did. That was caused by Saba, who came running toward me, barking
loud enough to awaken the dead."

Then her indignation was directed against Saba.

"Nasty Saba! nasty! For this when he comes running up to me I won't
speak a word to him and will tell him that he is horrid."

At this Stas, though he was not in a laughing mood, laughed and asked:

"How will you be able not to say a word to him and at the same time
tell him he is horrid?"

Nell's eyebrows rose and her countenance reflected embarrassment, after
which she said:

"He will know that from my looks."

"Perhaps. But he is not to blame, for he could not know what