eized by despair. In vain did Chamis and the Bedouins
represent to him that they might fare better in Fashoda than in
Omdurman, and that Smain in all probability would reward them more
bountifully than the caliph had done. No words could assuage Gebhr's
grief and rage, and the rage rebounded mainly upon Stas.

It was indeed a day of martyrdom for the boy. He was not permitted to
go to the market-place, so he could not earn anything or beg, and was
compelled to work as a slave at the pack-saddles, which were being
prepared for the journey. This became a more difficult matter as from
hunger and torture he weakened very much. He was certain that he would
die on the road; if not under Gebhr's courbash, then from exhaustion.

Fortunately the Greek, who had a good heart, came in at the evening to
visit the children and to bid them farewell, and at the same time to
provide for them on the way. He brought a few quinine powders, and
besides these a few glass beads and a little food. Finally, learning of
Idris' sickness, he turned to Gebhr, Chamis, and the Bedouins.

"Know this," he said. "I come here by the Mahdi's command."

And when they heard this they smote with their foreheads and he
continued:

"You are to feed the children on the way and treat them well. They are
to render a report of your behavior to Smain. Smain shall write of this
to the prophet. If any complaint against you comes here, the next post
will carry a death sentence for you."

A new bow was the only reply to these words; in addition Gebhr and
Chamis had the miens of dogs on which muzzles are placed.

The Greek then ordered them away, after which he thus spoke to the
children in English:

"I fabricated all this, for the Mahdi did not issue any new orders. But
as he said that you were to go to Fashoda, it is necessary that you
should reach there alive. I also reckoned upon this, that none of them
will see either the Mahdi or the caliph before their departure."

After which to Stas:

"I took umbrage at you, boy, and feel it yet. Do you know that you
almost ruined me? The Mahdi was offended at me, and to secure his
forgiveness I was forced to surrender to Abdullahi a considerable
portion of my estate, and besides, I do not know for how long a time I
have saved myself. In any case I shall not be able to assist the
captives as I have heretofore done. But I felt sorry for you,
particularly for her (and here he pointed at Nell). I have a daughter
of the