“In the desert we are all comrades,” she added, as if speaking to the soldiers.
They looked at her with an open adoration which lit up their tired faces.
“Madame,” said the officer, “you are much too good; but I accept your offer as frankly as you have made it. A little wine will be a godsend to us to-night. Thank you, Madame.”
The soldiers looked as if they were going to cheer.
“I’ll go to the camp—”
“Cannot one of the men go for you, Madame? You were sitting here. Pray, do not let us disturb you.”
“But night is falling and I shall have to go back in a moment.”
While they had been speaking the darkness had rapidly increased. She looked towards the distant dunes and no longer saw them. At once her mind went to Androvsky. Why had he not returned? She thought of the signal. From the camp, behind their sleeping-tent, rose the flames of a newly-made fire.
“If one of your men can go and tell Batouch—Batouch—to come to me here I shall be grateful,” she answered. “And I want him to bring me a big brand from the fire over there.”
She saw wonder dawning in the eyes fixed upon her, and smiled.