upon a small boy,
might injure that fame.

For a while he fingered the rosary beads and meditated, and afterwards
said:

"No. These children were abducted for Smain; so, though I do not want
to enter into any negotiations with the infidels, it is necessary to
send them to Smain. Such is my will."

"It shall be obeyed," answered the caliph.

But the Mahdi pointed to Idris, Gebhr, and the Bedouins and said:

"Reward these men for me, oh Abdullahi, for they made a long and
dangerous journey to serve God and me."

After which he nodded in sign that the audience was ended and at the
same time ordered the Greek to leave also. The latter, when they found
themselves in the darkness on the place of prayer, seized Stas' arm and
began to shake it with anger and despair.

"Accursed! You have sealed the doom of that innocent child," he said,
pointing at Nell. "You have ruined yourself and perhaps me."

"I could not do otherwise," answered Stas.

"You could not? Know that you are condemned to a journey a hundredfold
worse than the first. And that is death,--do you understand? In Fashoda
the fever will kill you in the course of a week. The Mahdi knew why he
sent you to Smain."

"In Omdurman we also would perish."

"That is not true! You would not have perished in the house of the
Mahdi, in plenty and comfort. And he was ready to take you under his
wings. I know that he was. You also repaid me nicely for interceding
for you. But do what you wish, Abdullahi will despatch the camel-post
to Fashoda in about a week and during that time do whatever you please!
You will not see me any more!"

Saying this he went away, but after a while returned. He, like all
Greeks, was loquacious, and it was necessary for him to tell everything
he had to say. He wanted to pour upon Stas' head all the bile which had
accumulated within him. He was not cruel and did not possess a bad
heart; he desired, however, that the boy should understand more
thoroughly the awful responsibility which he had assumed in not heeding
his advice and warnings.

"Who would have prevented you from remaining a Christian in your soul?"
he said. "Do you think that I am not one? But I am not a fool. You on
the other hand preferred to make a parade of your false heroism.
Heretofore I have rendered great services to the white prisoners, but
now I shall not be able to aid them for the Mahdi has become incensed
at me. All will perish. And your little companion in misfort