First one, then a second ray of light shot forth, and the sun—as is usual in southern countries, in which there is scarcely any twilight or dawn—did not rise, but burst forth from behind the clouds like a pillar of fire, flooding the horizon with living light. Heaven and earth were calm, and far as human eyes could see lay the trackless sand plains, now suddenly disclosed in the vivid glow.
“We must hurry,” said Idris, “for we can be seen here from a great distance.”
The camels, strengthened by their rest, and having had plenty to drink, raced along with the fleetness of gazels. Saba remained behind, but there was no fear that he would get lost and not be forthcoming at the next feeding-place. The dromedary on which Idris rode with Stasch ran alongside of Nell’s camel, so that the children could easily speak to each other. The seat which the Sudanese had padded proved to be very comfortable, and the girl really looked like a little bird in a nest; even if asleep she could not fall out. This ride fatigued her less than the one during the night, and the bright daylight gave her and Stasch courage. The lad’s heart was full of hope; as Saba had overtaken them, might not the rescuers also be able to do so? He immediately mentioned this to Nell, who now smiled at him for the first time since they had been carried off.
“And when will they overtake us?” she asked in French, so that Idris would not understand.
“I don’t know. Maybe to-day, maybe to-morrow, maybe in two or three days.”
“But on the return journey we shall not ride on camels?”
“No. Only as far as the Nile, and then on the Nile to El-Wasta.”
“Oh, that’s good, that’s good!”
Poor Nell, who used to be so fond of riding on camels, was now evidently sick and tired out.
“On the Nile—to El-Wasta and to papa!” she began to repeat in a sleepy voice.