Max seized the weapons and rushed into the street.
He saw the rioting, and felt that Shula was right—the people had but scant chance.
That made Max all the more determined.
He waved his sword above his head and rushed into the thickest of the fight.
“Long live the Mahdi!”
At the sight of the paleface the soldiers fell back.
“I am an American,” shouted Max, “but I am with you. The Mahdi is a native of your country, he is no foreigner. Strike for him, and let your cry be Egypt for the Egyptian, the Soudan for the Soudanese!”
The people lost their fear.
Like demons they sprang on the soldiers, but the soldiers did not return the fire.
Instead, they reversed their guns and retired.