“His Excellency always did pay us well,” said the Arab, bending low.
“And my two friends will add to the payment.”
The Arab smiled.
“You will keep our departure quite private, Ibrahim—no one is to know.”
The man shook his head.
“And I should want you to lead us wherever I chose to go.”
“You always did, Excellency.”
“But suppose I wanted you to go where some of your people—I mean men of your race—would consider it dangerous?”
“There are Arabs of some tribes, Excellency, who are of low breed—men who are not of the pure blood, who would say the way was dangerous: the men of my tribe, the Dhur, do not know that word. If they said they would take the English learned one, they would take him. They have their spears and their guns and swords, and their camels are swift. Is not that enough, O Excellency?”
“Quite,” said the professor; “but there would be danger, perhaps, for the Mahdi’s followers range far.”