was
happening. Remember also that afterwards he came to our rescue."

This recollection placated Nell's anger a little. She did not, however,
want to grant pardon to the culprit at once.

"That is very well," she said, "but a real gentleman ought not to bark
on greeting."

Stas burst out laughing again.

"Neither does a real gentleman bark on leave-taking unless he is a dog,
and Saba is one."

But after a while sorrow dimmed the boy's eyes; he sighed once, then
again; after which he rose from the stone on which they sat and said:

"The worst is that I could not free you."

And Nell raised herself on her little toes and threw her arms around
his neck. She wanted to cheer him; she wanted, with her little nose
close to his face, to whisper her gratitude, but, as she could not find
appropriate words, she only squeezed his neck yet more tightly and
kissed his ear. In the meantime Saba, always late--not so much because
he was unable to keep pace with the camels, but because he hunted for
jackals on the way, or drove away vultures perched on the crests of
rocks with his barking--came rushing up, making his customary noise.
The children at the sight of him forgot about everything, and
notwithstanding their hard situation began their usual caresses and
play until they were interrupted by the Arabs. Chamis gave the dog food
and water, after which all mounted the camels and started with the
greatest speed southward.

XII

It was their longest journey, for they rode with small interruption for
eighteen hours. Only real saddle-camels, having a good supply of water
in their stomachs, could endure such a drive. Idris did not spare them,
for he really feared the pursuit. He understood that it must have
started long ago, and he assumed that both engineers would be at its
head and would not lose any time. Danger threatened from the direction
of the river, for it was certain that immediately after the abduction
telegraphic orders were despatched to all settlements on the banks
directing the sheiks to start expeditions into the interior of the
desert on both sides of the Nile, and to detain all parties riding
southward. Chamis assured the others that the Government and engineers
must have offered a large reward for their capture and that in
consequence of this the desert was undoubtedly swarming with searching
parties. The only course to pursue would be to turn as far as possible
to the west; but on the west lay the great o