ould have to kill the Sudanese, the Bedouins, and even Chamis,
always caused him to shudder, but after the murder which the Bedouins
had committed, he did not have any scruples. He said to himself that
the defense, liberty, and life of Nell were involved, and in view of
this the lives of his adversaries did not deserve any consideration,
especially if they did not surrender and it came to a fight.

But he was anxious about the short rifle. Stas resolved to secure it by
stratagem, whenever the opportunity presented itself, and not to wait
until they reached Wadi Haifa, but perform the deed as soon as possible.

Accordingly he did not wait.

Two days had elapsed since they passed Assuan, and Idris finally at the
dawn of the third day was forced to despatch the Bedouins for
provisions, which were totally lacking. In view of the diminished
number of adversaries Stas said to himself: "Now or never!" and
immediately turned to the Sudanese with the following question:

"Idris, do you know that the country which begins not far beyond Wadi
Haifa is really Nubia?"

"I know. I was fifteen years old and Gebhr eight, when my father took
us from the Sudan to Fayum, and I remember that we rode at that time on
camels over the whole of Nubia. But this country belongs still to the
Turks (Egyptians)."

"Yes. The Mahdi is only before Khartum and you see how foolishly Chamis
chattered when he told you that the army of dervishes reached as far as
Assuan. However, I shall ask you something else. Now I have read that
in Nubia there are many wild animals and many brigands who do not serve
any one and who attack alike the Egyptians and the faithful Mahdists.
With what will you defend yourself, if wild animals or brigands attack
you?"

Stas purposely exaggerated in speaking of wild animals, but, on the
other hand, highway robberies in Nubia, from the time of the war,
occurred quite frequently, particularly in the southern part of the
country bordering upon the Sudan.

Idris pondered for a while over the question, which surprised him, as
heretofore he had not thought of these new dangers, and replied:

"We have knives and a rifle."

"Such a rifle is good for nothing."

"I know. Yours is better, but we do not know how to shoot from it, and
we will not place it in your hands."

"Even unloaded?"

"Yes, for it may be bewitched."

Stas shrugged his shoulders.

"Idris, if Gebhr said that, I would not be surprised, but I thought
that