And Stas in reality was confident that his father and Mr. Rawlinson would prefer to fulfil the promise made by him than expose both of them, and especially Nell, to the terrible journey and yet more terrible life among the savage and maddened hordes of the Mahdi.
So with palpitating heart, he waited for the reply of Idris who was plunged in silence and only after a long interval said:
"You say that the father of the little 'bint' and yours will give us a great deal of money?"
"Yes."
"But can all their money open for us the gates of paradise which only the blessing of the Mahdi can do?"
"Bismillah!" shouted both Bedouins together with Chamis and Gebhr.
Stas at once lost all hope, for he knew that howsoever much the people in the East are greedy and venal, nevertheless when a true Mohammedan views any matter from the standpoint of faith, there are not any treasures in the world with which he can be tempted.
Idris, encouraged by the shouts, continued, and evidently not for the purpose of replying to Stas, but with a view of gaining greater esteem and praise from his companions.
"We have the good fortune not only to belong to that tribe which gave the holy prophet, but the noble Fatma and her children are his relatives and the great Mahdi loves them. If we deliver you and the little 'bint' to him, he will exchange you for Fatma and her sons and will bless us. Know that even the water, in which every morning according to the precepts of the Koran he makes his ablutions, heals the sick and eliminates sins; and think what his blessing can accomplish!"
"Bismillah!" reiterated the Sudânese and Bedouins.