The Sudanese gazed questioningly into the boy’s eyes.
“Why do you want me to give you the gun?”
“I will teach you how to shoot with it.”
“What good will that do?”
“A great deal, for if thieves attack us they might kill all of us! But if you are afraid of the gun or even of me, then let the matter drop.”
Idris remained silent. He was really afraid, though he did not want to own it. But he was very anxious to become acquainted with the English weapon, for possessing it and knowing how to use it would give him higher standing in the camp of the Mahdists—besides which he could more readily defend himself in case of an attack.
So after considering a while he said:
“All right. Chamis shall give us the gun and you can take it out of the case.”
Chamis followed out the order in a half-hearted way, and Gebhr could offer no opposition because he was busy nearby with the camels. With trembling hands outstretched, Stasch took the barrel, then the butt, and handed them to Idris.
“You see that it is empty,” he said.