"Very well. Tell the cooks to suspend operations. Neither the escort nor the bearers shall eat to-day until they have worked. It is of no use telling them so beforehand; go back to them and let them rest at their ease."
About an hour after this conversation a certain amount of animation was visible amongst the Nubians, who began to yawn and stretch themselves, some even exerting themselves to the extent of standing upright. Their appetites returned, and very soon, as the wild beasts in a menagerie become restless on the approach of feeding time, so all the negroes took to walking about and turning their longing eyes towards the overseer's boat, where their daily breakfast was usually prepared.
But the hour passed, the mists of the morning were dissipated by the burning rays of the sun, and still no breakfast made its appearance.
Then, both soldiers and bearers began to grumble, and growl, and gesticulate, and the boldest, or the hungriest man amongst them went up to Nassar, who was seated in a corner, tranquilly smoking his pipe, and opened the proceedings.
"We are hungry," said he.
"Well, eat," replied the guide, puffing away at his pipe.
"We cannot, because no one has brought us our breakfast."
"That is because there is no one to bring it to you. See if you can find somebody."
The black went and told his comrades what the guide had said.
"He is right," exclaimed a chorus of voices.