“Speak for yourself,” said the officer, “and make the Hakim’s friend know the truth. Tell him whether you think it is safe for him to go out of this place, and whether it is just for him to order me to neglect my charge by leaving the house unguarded.”
“The man is right, Excellencies,” said Ibrahim at once. “It would be like riding out to tempt death for us all.”
There was nothing for it but to resign themselves to circumstances, and the expedition was given up, the party being now the closest of prisoners; but as if to make up for it their guards were more respectful than ever, and their head was indefatigable in his endeavours to forestall all their wants.
As Frank said when they were alone, it seemed as if they were neglecting their opportunities by not making their attempt while the Emirs were absent, for at any moment they might return and Harry’s owner be sending a party of his men to fetch the injured slave back to his duties.
But this did not happen, and though much of the information which Ibrahim brought in was simply rumour, he was able to supply facts, and among these were the announcements that the house of Harry’s master was closely shut up and guarded by a few men, and that the whole city was thronged with savage-looking dervishes who plundered as they chose slaying and destroying where there was any resistance, while the whole place was in a state of siege.
“The time has not come yet, Excellencies,” the old man said, “but it may arrive at any moment, and we will be ready to start.”
“Where for?” said the doctor sternly.
“Who can say, Excellency? That must depend on fate. If we can, our place of refuge must be with the British troops; if we cannot reach them there is the desert.”
“But why not try for the desert now, striking right away for the open parts, far away from the ordinary caravan routes?” said the professor.
“Because we should be cut off by some of the wandering bands before we could reach those distant parts, Excellency; and yonder there are other enemies: the sun to strike us down, and the dry sand. How can we journey on through the burning desert where there are not springs or wells?”