In the Mahdi's Grasp Part 18

"Then yours is a different sort, sir, to mine. Ambling's going like a lady's mare does in the Park, isn't it?"

"Yes, Sam; that's quite correct, I believe."

"This one don't, sir, a bit. If you shut your eyes and hold tight, sir, you forget that he's an animal, but begin thinking he must be what he seems like to me--a sort of giant sea-goose with you on his back and him swimming in rough water and going up and down horrid."

"Oh, that's the peculiarity of the creature's pace. I'm used to it, and I find the elasticity most enjoyable."

"Elastic, sir? Yes, that's just it, sir; elastic. A bit back he was going on like an Indy-rubber ball; one o' that sort, sir, as is all wind and skin. Made me wish he was one, and that I'd got a pin in my hand."

"Oh, never mind, my lad," said the professor good-humouredly; "its rough work to learn riding a horse, but once you've mastered the task it's pleasant enough. What do you think of the desert, Frank?"

"Do you consider that we have reached the desert now?" was the reply, as Sam fell back a little, leaving them to converse.

"Oh, yes; we've left the cultivated ground behind, and right away south and west now, saving a _few_ oases, there's nothing but the sand covering all about here the ruins of ancient cities. I believe if we dug anywhere here we should find traces--buildings, temples, or tombs."

"Has there been cultivation, too, here?"

"No doubt. It only wants water, sandy as it is, for it to break out blus.h.i.+ng with soft green."

"Where does the Nile lie from here?"

"Away to the left."

"Shall we see its waters when the morning comes?"

"No; we are going farther and farther away to a bit of an oasis where the Sheikh's people are gathered with their flocks. They find pasture there at this time of year, and a little employment with the travellers who come to Cairo. In the summer time, when the city is pretty well empty, they go right away to some high ground where it is rocky and fairly fertile. We shall reach the present camp before the sun gets hot in the morning."

"How is the doctor getting on?" asked Frank, after a pause.

"Pretty well. It makes him a little irritable, so I don't think I'd ask him. He is enjoying the night ride, though."

Sam sighed and said to himself--

"He says that because he wants to make the best of it, but I'm not going to believe my poor guv'nor's enjoying this. He's wis.h.i.+ng himself back in Wimpole Street, I know."

"What's that?" said Frank suddenly.

"What? I see nothing."

"No, no. I mean that wild cry."

"Only a jackal. I daresay if you listen you will hear another answer it. Pleasant note, isn't it?"

"Horrible! It sounded like some poor creature in pain."

"Hungry, perhaps," said the professor coolly. "Fine, wild, weird prospect, this, eh?"

"It seems very dream-like and strange."

"Yes, it impressed me like that at first. After a while you begin to think of how delightful it is, and what a change from pacing over the burning sand in the daylight with the sun making the air quiver and glow like a furnace, and your mouth turn dry and lips crack with the parching you have to undergo."

"Shall we have to journey much by night?"

"Oh, yes; we shall do most of our marching then, but we need not trouble about that. Ibrahim will do what is best. I have had a long talk with him, and he proposes to go in a roundabout way for the enemy's camp."

"What! not go straight there?"

"No; it would mean suspicion. We must not go there unasked."

"Landon!" said Frank appealingly.

"It is quite right, and even if it takes time it will be the surest way.

Ibrahim says that if the Hakim performs a few cures as we get nearer, the news thereof will reach the Khalifa's camp, where men die off in hundreds, and after a time he will be sure to send for us. Just think of the difference in our reception."

Frank nodded.

"In the one case we should be received with suspicion and most probably turned back, perhaps be made prisoners; while, if at the new Mahdi's wish we are sent for, we go there in triumph, and are respected and well treated by everyone."

"Yes, yes; but the time will be pa.s.sing away so swiftly, and that poor fellow lying in agony and despair."

"Yes, but the more reason for being cautious. We must not build the castle of our hopes upon the sand, Frank. I know it seems very hard, and no doubt I sound cold-blooded for agreeing so readily to this Arab's proposals, but I speak from ten years' experience of the old fellow. He has thrown himself heart and soul into the adventure, and he is well worthy of our trust; so, even at the expense of going against your own wishes now and then, give way and follow out the old man's advice, even when he would be ready to give way to you."

"I'll do my best," said Frank; "but it seems to me that I have already bound _myself_ down to profound obedience in all things by undertaking to go as a slave."

"Well, yes, that does bind you, certainly," said the professor.

"But what about these men that the Sheikh is taking with us? They will be in the secret."

"Of course."

"Suppose they betray what I am."

"That would mean betraying their Sheikh. You need have no fear of that."

"Well, let's talk about something else. We are bound now for the Sheikh's encampment. What is going to be done first when we get there?"

"We put off Europe and put on Africa as far as is necessary."

"Hah!" said Frank, with a sigh.

"What does that mean, my lad?" said the professor sternly. "Are you beginning to repent?"

"Repent!" said Frank between his teeth. "What a question! I am longing to commence, for so far everything has been preparation."

"And a very brief preparation," said the professor, "if you come to think of how short a time it is since you dashed in upon us after dinner that evening with your news."

"Well, don't reproach me, Landon."