recurred
after the bite, and that the patient for a long time would be unable to
leave Port Said. The situation actually became distressing. It was
impossible to take with them the children, old Dinah, the tents, and
all the servants, if only for the reason that the engineers were to be
one day here, another there, and might receive requests to go as far as
the great canal of Ibrahimiyeh. In view of this, after a short
consultation Mr. Rawlinson decided to leave Nell under the care of old
Dinah and Stas, together with the Italian consular agent and the local
"Mudir" (governor) with whom he had previously become acquainted. He
promised also to Nell, who grieved to part from her father, that from
all the nearer localities he would with Pan Tarkowski rush to Medinet,
or if they found some noteworthy sight, would summon the children to
them.

"We shall take with us, Chamis," he said, "whom in a certain case we
shall send for you. Let Dinah always keep Nell's company, but as Nell
does with her whatever she pleases, do you, Stas, watch over both."

"You may be sure, sir," answered Stas, "that I shall watch over Nell,
as over my own sister. She has Saba, and I a short rifle, so let any
one try to harm her--"

"It is not about that that I am concerned," said Mr. Rawlinson. "Saba
and the short rifle will certainly not be necessary for you. You will
be so good as to protect her from fatigue and at the same time take
care she does not catch cold. I have asked the consul in case she feels
unwell to summon a doctor from Cairo immediately. We shall send Chamis
here for news as frequently as possible. The Mudir will also visit you.
I expect, besides, that our absence will never be very long."

Pan Tarkowski also was not sparing in his admonitions to Stas. He told
him that Nell did not require his defense as there was not in Medinet
nor in the whole province of El-Fayum any savage people or wild
animals. To think of such things would be ridiculous and unworthy of a
boy who had begun his fourteenth year. So he was to be solicitous and
heedful only that they did not undertake anything on their own account,
and more particularly excursions with Nell on camels, on which a ride
was fatiguing.

But Nell, hearing this, made such a sad face that Pan Tarkowski had to
placate her.

"Certainly," he said, stroking her hair, "you will ride camels, but
with us or towards us, if we send Chamis for you."

"But when alone are we not allowed to