"The Emirs are but men, Excellency," said the Sheikh, looking the professor full in the eyes. "They can do much with their own followers, but nothing with the wild beasts of murdering dervishes who would slay anyone for the handsome robe he wears, or to carry off his wife and children for slaves. The great Emir and his people are our friends, but alas! our Emir here, his son, and his son's friend left Omdurman with all their forces last night for the north, to stay the British advance. We are here with only the twenty men of the Emir's guard, while we shall soon be surrounded by thousands who have never heard of the Hakim's name." "This is bad news indeed, O Sheikh," said the professor, frowning. "Bad tidings of the worst, Excellency, but it is true. These are the gleanings of the past night that I come with sorrowful heart to tell you. We have had much good of late, and my heart was glad last night as I saw that the young Excellency, Ben Eddin, would soon scheme that his brother should join us, and that then we would flee across the desert to the British camp; but now--" "Well, Ibrahim; but now?" said the doctor sternly. "Now, O Hakim, another sorrow meets me here: the young Excellency, Ben Eddin, is stricken down, and we have not rescued the prisoner slave as yet." "But you have some plans," said the professor excitedly. "What do you propose to do?" "Nothing as yet, Excellency. We must wait till the young Ben Eddin is well and we can bring his brother here. Till then we must be patient, and trust in God." CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT. FOR FREEDOM. The English party had ample proof of Ibrahim's words, for the narrow ways of the city were thronged that day with the wild troops that had ridden in from the desert, many too from Khartoum, and the wild blasts and throbbings of barbaric trumpet and drum resounded through the place; but the Emir's house remained undisturbed, though more than once the professor noticed that there was an uneasy look in the eyes of the head guard when he came near them, and appeared to be especially devoted to the care of all in the place. That day there were no calls upon the Hakim for help, and he was able to devote himself entirely to Frank, upon whom his ministrations had the best effect. In fact, he woke that night as if out of a long sleep looked wonderingly at Sam, and seemed puzzled by the bandages laid across his head. Then as if realising that he had been ill, he lay perfectly still, thinking, till the doctor came to his side a short time later, when he took and pressed the hand which felt his pulse and head, nodded gently, and proved at once that the fit of delirium had quite passed away, for he said in a whisper-- "Don't say anything. I know I have been ill. But tell me: any news of Harry?" "Not yet, my dear boy. We must have patience." "Yes, Frank, lad," said the professor cheerily, "patience."