“And what about the young chief? He is not fit to go, eh, doctor?”
“Unless he is carried,” was the reply.
The Sheikh smiled.
“They are preparing a camel for him so that he can share it with one of the wounded men—a litter such as they use for the women. They can almost lie, one on either side, Excellencies. I expect that they will say nothing, but that we shall wake in the morning and find that we are alone.”
The Sheikh had hardly spoken when the party saw the head of the Baggara guard approaching.
As the man came within reach he signed to the Sheikh to join him, and his words were very few before he turned upon his heel and strode away.
“What does this mean, Ibrahim?” said Frank. “Did he tell you that they are going?”
“Our tents are to be struck, Excellency, and everything loaded upon our camels before daylight.”
“Ah!” said Frank eagerly; “to march to the south?”
“Yes, Excellency. His orders from the chief were that if he did not return in the number of days now passed we were to be taken south.”