had withdrawn their swords and pistols from their sashes;
and, advancing, offered them to the Colonel. The latter did not offer
to receive them.

"Keep them," he said. "We can honour brave foes; and you and your
followers were ready to fight and die, when all seemed lost. Still more
do I refuse to receive the weapons of the men who defended an English
officer, when he was helpless and a fugitive; such an act would, alone,
ensure good treatment at our hands. Your followers have surrendered?"

"They have all laid down their arms," Khatim said.

"Do you give me your promise that you will no more fight against us?"

"We do," Khatim replied. "We have received our weapons back from you,
and would assuredly not use them against our conquerors."

"In that case, Emir, you and your son are at liberty to depart, and
your men can return with you. There will, I trust, be no more fighting
in the land. The Mahdi is dead. His successor proved a false prophet
and is dead also. Mahdism is at an end, and now our object will be to
restore peace and prosperity to the land.

"In a short time, all the prisoners will be released. Those who choose
will be allowed to enter our service. The rest can return to their
homes. We bear no enmity against them. They fought under the orders of
their chiefs, and fought bravely and well. When they return, I hope
they will settle down and cultivate the land; and undo, as far as may
be, the injuries they have inflicted upon it.

"I will write an order, Mr. Hilliard, to release at once the men you
have brought in. Then I will ask you to ride, with these emirs, to a
point where there will be no fear of their falling in with our
cavalry."

"You are a generous enemy," Khatim said, "and we thank you. We give in
our allegiance to the Egyptian government, and henceforth regard
ourselves as its servants."

"See, Mr. Hilliard, that the party takes sufficient food with it for
their journey to El Obeid."

Colonel Wingate stepped forward, and shook hands with the two emirs.

"You are no longer enemies," he said, "and I know that, henceforth, I
shall be able to rely upon your loyalty."

"We are beaten," Khatim said, as they walked away, each leading his
horse. "You can fight like men, and we who thought ourselves brave have
been driven before you, like dust before the wind. And now, when you
are masters, you can forgive as we should never have done. You can
treat us as friends. You do not even take our arms