“The army of the Mahdi is near Khartum.”
“La! La! (No! No!)” said Chamis.
“Do not listen to his words,” answered Stasch, “for he not only has a dark skin, but a dark brain. If you were to buy fresh camels every three days and race as you have done to-day, it would take you a month to reach Khartum. Perhaps you do not know that not only the Egyptian, but the English army also, will hold you up.”
These words made somewhat of an impression, and Stasch, aware of it, continued:
“Before you are between the Nile and the great oasis all the roads in the desert will be guarded by a number of soldiers. Ha! The words on the copper wire run quicker than the camels. How will you ever be able to escape them?”
“The desert is large,” answered one of the Bedouins.
“But you have to keep near the Nile.”
“We can cross to the other side, and while they are looking for us on this side we shall be on the other.”
“The words running over the copper wires will reach the towns and villages on both banks of the river.”
“The Mahdi will send us an angel, who will place his fingers on the eyes of the English and Turks (Egyptians), and he will cover us over with his wings.”