He had hardly spoken before in rapid succession two more reports were heard, followed by crash after crash, distinct and peculiar, but unmistakable.
“Bullets,” said Harry, who began to pant with excitement, as he made for the door. “Hark at that, and that! Oh, it has come at last, and I am a prisoner here!”
At that moment a camel was seen passing the window. One of the Sheikh’s men was leading it, and directly after Frank uttered a cry of joy, and, followed by the professor, ran to the door, just in time to encounter Ibrahim, who hurried in, looking haggard and bent.
The next minute he was shaking hands with all, and eagerly took the coffee Sam offered to him. He drank it with avidity, after adding to it some cold water from a jug close by.
“Hah!” he ejaculated, and then quickly—
“I went out, Excellencies, to make a long round so as to find out all that was to be known. It has been hard work to avoid being cut off. But I have seen much.”
“Yes, yes; pray speak out,” cried Frank.
“The Khalifa has gathered his forces together, and yesterday evening they made their advance away from the town—an enormous army, seeming to drive their enemies back.”
“Their enemies!” cried Harry excitedly. “The English and Egyptian armies?”
“Yes, Excellency; they are many miles away, by the river side, and there are gunboats coming on nearly opposite here.”