ell," Stas spoke out. "I had to do that--Gebhr threatened
that he would stab us both if the lion would not be content with Kali
and should continue to pursue them. Didn't you hear him? Think of it;
he threatened by that not only me, but you. And he would have done it.
I tell you sincerely that if it were not for that threat, though
formerly I already was thinking of it, I would not have shot at them. I
think I could not--But he exceeded the measure. You saw how cruelly
before that time he treated Kali. And Chamis? How vilely he betrayed
us. Besides, do you know what would have happened if they did not find
Smain? Gebhr would likewise have vented his anger upon us--upon you. It
is dreadful to think that he would have whipped you daily with the
courbash, and would have tortured us both to death, and after our death
he would return to Fashoda and say that we died of fever. Nell, I did
not do that from fiendishness, but I had to think of this, how to save
you--I was concerned only about you--"

And his face plainly reflected that affliction which overflowed in his
heart. Nell evidently understood this, as she pressed yet more closely
to him, while he, momentarily mastering his emotions, continued thus:

"I, of course, shall not change, and shall guard and watch over you as
before. As long as they lived there was no hope of rescue. Now we may
fly to Abyssinia. The Abyssinians are black and wild, but Christians
and foes of the dervishes. If you only retain your health, we shall
succeed, for it is not so very far to Abyssinia. And even though we do
not succeed, though we fall into Smain's hand, do not think that he
will revenge himself upon us. He never in his life saw either Gebhr or
the Bedouins; he knew only Chamis, but what was Chamis to him? Besides,
we need not tell Smain that Chamis was with us. If we succeed in
reaching Abyssinia, then we are saved, and if not, you will not fare
any worse, but better, for tyrants worse than those men probably cannot
be found in the world. Do not fear me, Nell."

And desiring to win her confidence and at the same time cheer her, he
began to stroke her little yellow head. The little maid listened,
raising timidly her eyes to him. Evidently she wanted to say something
but hesitated and feared. Finally she leaned her head so that her hair
entirely covered her face and asked in a yet lower and slightly
quivering voice:

"Stas--"

"What is it, dear?"

"They will not come here?"

"Wh