It was settled that a stay of three days was to be made at the
encampment, a period that seemed grievously long to Frank; but there
were excellent reasons for the delay.
The Sheikh said it would take that time to make all the preparations
necessary for the start; and he advocated the wisdom of the three who
were not accustomed to camel-riding, going out twice each day with some
of the young men, so as to grow more at ease.
On the other hand, the Hakim said that it would be absolutely necessary
for him to stay that time with his patients, so as to ensure good
following his operations, and this was unanswerable.
"We shall not be losing time, Excellencies," said the Sheikh, "for you
must now take at once to the native dress, and assume the characters of
those you are to represent."
"But your people here," said Frank quickly; "is it wise for them to
know?"
The Sheikh smiled.
"Oh, yes," he said; "why not? They must know. It is to ensure the
safety of you all from the wild and savage followers of the Mahdi, I
have told them, and they feel that it is good. No harm can come from
their knowing all this."
"Forgive me," said Frank quickly. "I feel now that my suspicions were
unworthy."
"Only natural, Frank," said the professor quietly. "You do not know
Ibrahim and his people as I do."
"That is my misfortune," said the young man, smiling. "I am going to
know them as well."
That evening Sam came to the Hakim's tent to ask if he could do anything
for his master.
He found him sitting at the tent door talking with Frank and the
professor, and the three exchanged glances.
"Well, no, Samuel," said the Hakim quietly. "You are tired out with
your long ride."
"Yes, sir; I ache all over, and my hands are quite shaky."
"I shall want nothing more. Go and rest yourself, and go to your bed in
good time, so as to get a long night's rest."
"Thankye, sir; I'm much obliged, sir. I think that is about what I want
to set me right."
Sam went back to the little tent set apart for him, and lost no time in
throwing himself down upon a rug, to lie listening to the bleating of
the sheep and goats, mingled with which came at times the moaning and
complaining of the camels.
As soon as his back was turned the doctor had laughed softly.
"I meant to have set him to work to-night," he said, "over my head; but
I don't think his touch would have been very light after his last
night's work."
"Oh, no," said the professor; "besides, you ought to have daylight for
that job. Between ourselves, I shall not be sorry to take to the native
dress again. It is much more suitable for the climate than ours. I
have used it in a modified form ever since I first came out. The sooner
we begin the better."
The conversation then turned upon the doctor's patients.
"So you found them patient patients," said the professor, smiling.
"Poor creatures, yes. They seem to have the most unbounded faith in
me."
"Of course," said the professor; "and a fine thing for them that they
have, Robert my son."
"Yes, Fred, old fellow, I suppose it is, for it means quick recovery. I
always like to have to do with a patient who looks relieved as soon as I
come into the room. He little knows how he is helping me towards his
cure."
"Poor fellow! he doesn't think, then, of what is to come?"
"His sufferings?" said the doctor. "No, only about how I may be able to
relieve them."
"Didn't mean that, old fellow," said the professor. "I meant his mental
sufferings over the fees; eh, Frank?"
"Don't try to joke, Fred," said the doctor; "this place makes me feel
solemn--the gentle calm of the oasis, the trickling of the water in this
thirsty land, and the simple, patriarchal life of the people."
"Ha, ha!" laughed the professor softly; "hear this Frank?"
"Hear what?" said the young man, in a tone or voice which suggested that
the calm of the desert was influencing him too.
"Bob Morris talking as if it wouldn't take much to make him give up
civilisation and take to a nomad life."
"Well," said the doctor quietly, "I confess that already I feel
something of its fascination, and I am glad we have come. All this is
growing irresistibly attractive."
"And when I've been at home and have vaunted the beauty of the old,
simple, patriarchal life, and told of how I enjoyed it during my
Egyptian explorations, you laughed at me, and as good as called me a
lunatic. What do you say to that?"
"That I spoke in ignorance, old fellow," said the doctor quietly. "Of
course I should not like to give up our civilisation, but for a time
this has a great charm. I feel, too, that we have done very wisely in
following out Frank's plan."
"Thank you," said the young man eagerly.
"I shall get on famously with these simple people, who will all prove
excellent patients, and the result will be that we shall get in touch
with poor old Harry, and bring him safely away."
"Yes, we're going to do it, Frank, my lad. It looks easier to me every
hour."
No more was said for a time, for they all felt the fatigue consequent
upon their exertions of the past night, and that it was very delicious
to lounge there in the soft sand, watching the fall of evening with the
paling glories of the most wonderful sunset two of the party had ever
beheld. And this was made the more agreeable by the respect with which
they were treated, their part of the encampment being kept, as it were,
sacred, and everything sordid hidden from their sight.