“Smain is married to a cousin of the Mahdi, and thus Smain’s children are relatives of the prophet.”
“The Mahdi has many relatives and can not remember them all.”
For a while they rode on in silence, then Idris again asked:
“When shall we arrive in Khartum?”
“Before midnight,” answered Tadhil, looking at the stars, which began to appear on the western side of the heavens.
“Shall I be able to get provisions and fodder at such a late hour? We have not eaten anything since our noon-day rest.”
“You may sleep and eat at my house to-night, but to-morrow, in Omdurman, you must provide your own food, and I warn you in advance it will not be very easy.”
“Why?”
“On account of the war. The people have not cultivated the fields in many years, but have lived on meat, and when the cattle gave out a famine ensued. Throughout the entire south a famine reigns, and to-day a sack of maize costs more than a slave.”
“Allah Akbar!” cried Idris, astonished. “Did I not see a great many camels and herds of cattle on the steppe?”