you had more sense. From an unloaded rifle even your Mahdi could
not fire--"

"Silence!" interrupted Idris sternly. "The Mahdi is able to fire even
from his finger."

"Then you also can fire in that way."

The Sudanese looked keenly into the boy's eyes.

"Why do you want me to give you the rifle?"

"I want to teach you how to fire from it."

"Why should that concern you?"

"A great deal, for if the brigands attack us they might kill us all.
But if you are afraid of the rifle and of me then it does not matter."

Idris was silent. In reality he was afraid, but did not want to admit
it. He was anxious, however, to get acquainted with the English weapon,
for its possession and skill in its use would increase his importance
in the Mahdists' camp, to say nothing of the fact that it would be
easier for him to defend himself in case of an attack.

So after a brief consideration he said:

"Good. Let Chamis hand you the rifle-case and you can take it out."

Chamis indifferently performed the order, which Gebhr could not oppose,
as he was occupied at some distance with the camels. Stas with
quivering hands took out the stock and afterwards the barrels, and
handed them to Idris.

"You see they are empty."

Idris took the barrels and peered upwards through them.

"Yes, there is nothing in them."

"Now observe," said Stas. "This is the way to put a rifle together"
(and saying this he united the barrel and stock). "This is the way to
open it. Do you see? I will take it apart again and you can put it
together."

The Sudanese, who watched Stas' motions with great attention, tried to
imitate him. At first it was not easy for him, but as Arabians are well
known for their skilfulness, the rifle, after a while, was put together.

"Open!" commanded Stas.

Idris opened the rifle easily.

"Close."

This was done yet more easily.

"Now give me two empty shells. I will teach you how to load the
cartridges."

The Arabs had kept the empty cartridges as they had a value for them as
brass; so Idris handed two of them to Stas and the instruction began
anew.

The Sudanese at first was frightened a little by the crack of the caps
of the shells, but finally became convinced that no one was able to
fire from empty barrels and empty shells. In addition, his trust in
Stas returned because the boy handed the weapon to him every little
while.

"Yes," said Stas, "you already know how to put a rifle together, you
know how to o