The meal prepared by the Sheikh's people astounded the little party--
there were crisp cutlets, freshly made cakes, bowls of a porridge made
with fresh milk and some kind of finely ground grain, and fruit in
abundance, while all pronounced the freshly roasted coffee to be
delicious. So appetising did it prove in the pleasant, subdued shadow
of the tent, that the weariness of the past night was forgotten by more
than one, for before the meal was at an end Sam made his appearance,
washed and refreshed, to help attend to his master's wants, and say in
answer to Frank's inquiries that he couldn't have believed he could feel
so much better in so short a time.
Frank smiled to himself, but he did not allude to the will. It was soon
evident, though, that the man had his words upon his conscience, for he
kept on giving Frank peculiar, meaning looks, one and all of which were
ignored, the only words that passed being later in the afternoon, when
Sam suddenly edged up close to his confidant and said--
"It's wonderful what a good rest does for a man, Mr Frank, sir, isn't
it?"
"Wonderful, Sam," was the reply. "I feel very little the worse for my
night's ride."
"That's just about like I am, sir, and--"
"I can't stop Sam," said Frank, interrupting him; "your master wants me
again."
Frank hurried back to the doctor's side to resume his position of
assistant, for he had been pretty busy making his first essays at the
task which was to be his for many months to come.
For the Sheikh's son had been seen, examined, and an operation
performed, one of a very simple nature, but sufficient to give instant
relief; while the Hakim's instructions that the lad was to remain lying
down for a month were not hard for one who had not stood up, save in
acute agony, for three years.
"I am well paid for this operation, Frank, my lad," said the Hakim, when
he left the lad's tent; for the old Sheikh had gone down on one knee to
touch the hand extended to him.
"It is a miracle, Excellency," he said; "but tell me that he will live."
"It is no miracle, Sheikh," replied the doctor, "only the result of
study and practice. Oh, yes, the boy will live and grow strong. Don't
kneel to me; I am but a man like yourself, and glad to help one who has
come forward so nobly to help us."
The visit to the sick child was not of so happy a nature, for the Hakim
took the mother's hand sadly, and the Sheikh interpreted his words, that
told how hopeless was the case, and how much better for her that she
should cease to suffer soon.
In another tent, though, the Hakim brought light and hope, for the
failing sight, though it would soon have become hopeless, was at a stage
when a slight operation and the following treatment of keeping the girl
in darkness, were sufficient to ensure recovery.
The next patient was the young Arab suffering from the broken limb, and
over this the Hakim's examination, after the poor fellow had limped by
the help of a stick to a rough couch in one of the smaller tents, was
long and careful.
"The youth is healthy and strong," the doctor said to the Sheikh and the
young man's brother, "but the leg will never mend while it is like this.
There is diseased bone."
"Then the Hakim cannot cure him?" said the Sheikh sadly, and the
sufferer lay watching anxiously, gazing from one to the other, longing
intensely to know the meaning of the words spoken in what was, in spite
of the people of his tribe being so much in touch with the English who
came to Cairo, an unknown tongue.
"Oh, yes, I can certainly cure him if he is willing to bear some pain,
which I will alleviate all I can, and will undertake to wait patiently
afterwards until the broken bones have knit together."
"Ah, then," cried the Sheikh, "cure him. He must bear the pain."
"Ask his consent first," said the doctor.
"His?" said the Sheikh, looking wonderingly at the doctor; "he is one of
my people. I give you my permission."
"Never mind that. Ask him if he is willing. Who is this?"
"His brother, Excellency."
"Ask him too."
The words were interpreted, and the anxious look on the brothers' faces
gave place to one of eager hope and pleasure as they heard and replied--
"Yes, Excellency, we beg that you will do what is right, no matter what
pain he suffers. He prays you to make him a man instead of the useless
cripple he remains--useless to himself, a trouble to his friends."
The Hakim bowed and turned to Frank.
"You will have to help me," he said. "I will not ask you if you have
the nerve. There is diseased bone, which must be removed, and he must
be kept under an anaesthetic, for he could not bear the pain, and his
sufferings would hinder me."
Half an hour later, by the Sheikh's orders, everyone was sent to a
distance from the tent, into which the Hakim was watched with looks full
of awe, as he disappeared therein, followed by Frank and the Sheikh, the
brother sitting by waiting, and both looking reverently at the man whose
knowledge was something tremendous in their eyes.
"Are you going to stay, Sheikh?" said the Hakim. "It would be better
that you and this young man should go."
"I should like his brother to stay and see what is done, Excellency,
while I--I am the father and chief of my tribe; the people look to me,
and it is through me that you are going to do this thing. My people
would not be contented if I did not stay."
"Very well," said the doctor quietly, and for the next half hour he was
busily employed, finishing the securing of the last bandage within that
time, while when the patient had fully recovered his consciousness, the
calm look of content and satisfaction with which he smiled up in his
surgeon's face on being told that all was done, augured well for a quick
recovery.
The Hakim's reputation had been planted that day like so much seed
thrown into fertile soil; and as they left the tent after the last
patient had sunk into a calm sleep, Frank, who had seen the brother
steal out before, now noticed how the people of the tribe were standing
about waiting to see the Hakim return to his own tent, one and all eager
to catch his eye and make obeisance after their fashion to this man, who
seemed greater to them than any chief.