"We can only give to those who are really ill," we answered; "what is the matter with this one?"
"He has fever, he cannot eat, and his head hurts."
I had some quinine pills in my pocket, and I gave three to the boy.
"Tell him to take two now, and not to keep them in his mouth," I explained, "but drink some water and swallow them down; then, when the sun has risen one hour to-morrow, let him take the other one."
A dozen interested spectators at once went through the whole process in pantomime; a pill was swallowed, and its downward course indicated by stroking the chest. "Ha!" was ejaculated all round. Then the second pill was swallowed with equally suggestive signs. The rising point of the sun was indicated, and one finger held up, and the third pill swallowed.
"Mashallah!" went up through the crowd, staring with bated breath.
We boarded the raft, and had scarcely established ourselves in our sleeping-hut when Hassan staggered to the door with a huge clay pitcher capable of holding several gallons; he deposited it at our feet.
"For the medicine," he said gravely.
"We said that the woman was to send a cup," we said; "the few drops of lotion will be lost in that."
"For the medicine," he answered, imperturbably.