And now the long, cold, weary night was over, and the deep blue-black sky had lightened to a wonderful mauve-violet, with the larger stars still glinting brightly out of it. Behind them the grey line had crept higher and higher, deepening into a delicate rose-pink, with the fan-like rays of the invisible sun shooting and quivering across it. Then, suddenly, they felt its warm touch upon their backs, and there were hard black shadows upon the sand in front of them. The Dervishes loosened their cloaks and proceeded to talk cheerily among themselves. The prisoners also began to thaw, and eagerly ate the doora which was served out for their breakfasts. A short halt had been called, and a cup of water handed to each. “Can I speak to you, Colonel Cochrane?” asked the dragoman. “No, you can’t,” snapped the Colonel. “But it is very important--all our safety may come from it.” The Colonel frowned and pulled at his moustache. “Well, what is it?” he asked at last. “You must trust to me, for it is as much to me as to you to get back to Egypt. My wife and home, and children, are on one part, and a slave for life upon the other. You have no cause to doubt it.” “Well, go on!” “You know the black man who spoke with you--the one who had been with Hicks?” “Yes, what of him?” “He has been speaking with me during the night. I have had a long talk with him. He said that he could not very well understand you, nor you him, and so he came to me.” “What did he say?” “He said that there were eight Egyptian soldiers among the Arabs--six black and two fellaheen. He said that he wished to have your promise that they should all have very good reward if they helped you to escape.” “Of course they shall.” “They asked for one hundred Egyptian pounds each.” “They shall have it.” “I told him that I would ask you, but that I was sure that you would agree to it.” “What do they propose to do?” “They could promise nothing, but what they thought best was that they should ride their camels not very far from you, so that if any chance should come they would be ready to take advantage.” “Well, you can go to him and promise two hundred pounds each if they will help us. You do not think we could buy over some Arabs?” Mansoor shook his head. “Too much danger to try,” said he. “Suppose you try and fail, then that will be the end to all of us. I will go tell what you have said.” He strolled off to where the old negro gunner was grooming his camel and waiting for his reply.