Those were startling minutes, and though the incident was nothing more
than had been anticipated as one of possibly many, it had taken them by
surprise, being long before it was expected.
It was hard work too, for everyone was startled; but the advancing enemy
were hidden somewhere beyond the piled-up rocks, and with what, under
the circumstances, was marvellous rapidity, the Hakim, berobed and
turbaned, seated himself in Eastern fashion upon one of the rugs laid
for him at the tent door, while Frank brought him his long pipe, filled
it, and was ready with a light. Then the professor and Sam began to put
together the breakfast things, Ibrahim stood respectfully by as if
awaiting the wise man's orders, and the Sheikh's followers stood about,
feeding and watering the camels.
It was a picturesque group, but ready none too soon, for hardly were
they prepared before the head of a mounted party of fierce-looking armed
men rode into sight, and pulled up short in surprise, while their
numbers were quadrupled before an effort was made to advance.
Then, with fully a hundred in sight, a shout was uttered and with a rush
they galloped up, spear and sword in hand, to form a semicircle about
the halting party, shutting them in from all chance of escape, and then
seemed about to charge home, but they were checked by another shout and
reins were drawn, the fiery horses they rode champing their cruel bits
and tossing the foam in all directions.
It was a critical minute, and the slightest display of resistance would
have meant indiscriminate slaughter, its hopelessness being shown by the
rapid increase of the savage force, more and more riding into sight till
fully two hundred were making for the water pools.
But no one stirred save Frank, who calmly held the glowing piece of fuel
to the Hakim's pipe, while the latter sat unmoved, calm, and grand of
aspect, slowly inhaling and exhaling the fragrant smoke and gazing at
the warlike crowd which surrounded his little tent.
By this time horse, foot, and camel men, the whole party, had pressed
close up to the advance, and a burst of eager talking arose, the aspect
of the savage warriors indicating that they believed they had come
suddenly upon a prize. But they were evidently under the strong hand of
some form of discipline, for they waited while a couple of
fierce-looking leaders, whose shaggy black hair stood straight up and
outward like some kind of cap, pressed the sides of their horses and
walked them forward, to be met by Ibrahim, who advanced with great
dignity, and in response to a fierce question as to who and what they
were, saluted them gravely and announced that they were in the presence
of a great Frankish Hakim travelling through the land upon his great
mission to heal the sick and wounded.
To this, the younger of the two burst into a mocking laugh and said
something to his fellow leader, who responded by laying a hand upon his
companion's rein as he spoke haughtily in his own tongue to Ibrahim, his
words having a threatening sound.
The Sheikh's voice sounded as haughty and as firm, and he waved his hand
around, while to Frank it seemed that the old man was repelling some
accusation and saying--
"If we were enemies to you and yours should we come unarmed and in peace
like this?" Then his voice grew sterner and his eyes flashed, as,
uncomprehended by those for whom he was spokesman, he cried--
"Retire your men ere you disturb the great Hakim's repose. Has he not
journeyed through the night on his way to the south to heal and cure,
and as you see, he is resting before he takes his sleep. Beware how you
anger him, for as he can heal so can he bring down upon all the disease
and death he has removed from others."
The younger man made a scornful gesture, but his elder was evidently
impressed, and Ibrahim continued--
"You have come for water for your horses and camels; take it silently,
and leave the great Hakim in peace. Anger him not, lest at a word and a
wave of the hand he turn the sweet water into bitterness that shall
wither all who drink. Horse, camel, or man shall perish if he speak the
word."
The Sheikh's words were heard and understood by many; and a low, angry
murmur arose, which ran right to the rear.
"Is it peace?" said the Sheikh calmly, as he noted the impression he had
made; "if so the pool of water is sweet for all; and if you have sick or
wounded men among you, bring them to the Hakim that he may make them
whole."
They were veritable words of wisdom that Ibrahim boldly spoke, and full
of force, for though it was extremely doubtful whether, in case of an
inimical display, the doctor would have either been able or willing to
make use of his power, he had with him that which would, if deftly
distributed, have poisoned the water so that it would have been
dangerous to man or beast.
They were words of wisdom, though, for they went direct to the
understanding and interests of the superstitious tribe, whose readiness
to believe in any so-called prophet or learned doctor was easily
awakened, while as it happened, Ibrahim's last command had gone home to
its mark at once.
For by a fortunate accident, the chief who seemed of the greater
importance, turned sharply to his companion and handed to him the shield
and two leaf-bladed spears he carried, and then threw himself from the
beautiful Arab horse he rode, giving the bridle to one of his followers.
And now for the first time it was evident that his left arm, which had
been covered by the shield, was injured, for it was supported by a broad
scarf passed round his neck.
He strode forward haughtily, taking his steps slowly with head thrown
back, and as Frank gazed at him with heart throbbing painfully and
heavily under the stress of his emotion, he could not help thinking how
noble and fierce a warrior the Baggara looked, with his simple white
robe, and how dangerous an enemy with the curved dagger in his girdle,
and long, keen, crusader-like sword hanging from a kind of baldric from
his right shoulder.
As he approached Morris, Frank turned his eyes for a moment upon his
brother's friend, and a pang shot through him, for the doctor sat
cross-legged holding the pipe, in his studied pose, slowly exhaling a
little smoke, but his face looked fixed and strange, his eyes were half
closed, and he seemed to be unconscious of all that was going on.
"He has lost his nerve!" thought Frank in agony, and he drew his breath
hard. "What shall I do?"
The next glance, though, was at the Baggara chief, who in a contemptuous
way snatched the sling from his left arm, and as if to display his scorn
of wounds to his followers he lightly threw back the loose cotton sleeve
of his robe to his shoulder, and held out the roughly bandaged arm
before the seated surgeon, saying scoffingly in his own tongue--
"There, if you are a learned Hakim, cure that."
There was utter silence now, and necks were craning forward and flashing
eyes eagerly gazing all around, but to Frank's horror, Morris did not
pay the slightest heed, merely raised the amber mouth-piece of his pipe
to his lips and inhaled more smoke, his eyes still half-closed, while he
looked as if he were about to sink into a trance.
The words were on Frank's lips to say quickly, "Pray, pray rouse
yourself, or we are lost!" but he had presence of mind enough left to
press his teeth firmly together and gaze fixedly at the Baggara, whose
dark eyes flashed angrily as he stamped one foot and advanced a little
more, to repeat his words. Still Morris did not stir, and it was only
by the most determined effort that Frank kept himself from turning
sharply to dart a look of horror at Landon and Sam.
But it was the thought of his brother that gave him the strength, and
the next moment he breathed a sigh of relief, for the Sheikh stepped
close up to the doctor, raising a hand warningly to the Baggara.
"The learned Hakim," he said, "is deep in thought upon the wisdom with
which he heals;" and then, bending towards the doctor's ear, he said in
a low, distinct voice, in English--
"A great chief is here, O learned one. He is wounded and in pain, and
asks your aid."
As Ibrahim spoke the doctor slowly raised his eyelids and gazed at the
speaker, turning to him the while as if ignorant of the presence of the
chief and the crowd around.
Then bending his head slowly as if in assent, he turned to gaze full in
the Baggara's scornful eyes, his face lighting up with keen
intelligence, and continuing his fixed look till the chief made an angry
gesture and for a moment lowered his eyes.
It was only for a moment, though, and then he looked fixedly at the
doctor again, the scornful smile upon his lip growing more marked as he
keenly watched all that was done.
"Splendid bit of acting," said the professor to himself, as he stood
with folded arms a little behind his friend's left hand, and he too drew
a breath of relief as with calm dignity Morris handed his pipe to Frank,
whose black face glistened as he took it with a solemn bow and handed it
to Sam with a sign that he should take it into the tent, noting how the
man's hand trembled, but avoiding his eyes, and turning sharply to the
scene being enacted behind him.
As he turned, it was to see the Hakim raise his strong, white hands to
spread his great dark beard over his chest, and then sign to the chief
to kneel.
This was met by an angry look of resentment, and the younger chief
uttered a sharp ejaculation, which was followed by a murmur behind him.
It was a critical moment, but the natural superstition in the Baggara
proved too strong. He yielded to the powerful gaze which completely
mastered his, and went slowly down on one knee, still holding out his
injured arm.
As this was done the doctor threw back the sleeves of his robes, turned
up his beautifully clean shirt-sleeves, and displayed his strong white
arms. Then raising his hands he removed his jewelled turban and passed
it to the professor, who was ready to take it in his hands, to hold it
with reverent care.
Once more a low murmur ran round the crowd, as with increased curiosity
they stared at the noble white head of the grand-looking man seated
before them, while their curiosity was raised to the highest pitch.
The Hakim's movements were rapid now; he took the chief's swarthy hand
in his, and his fingers were cool and soft to the burning skin he
touched. Then raising his right he laid it upon the biceps, to find all
tensely swollen and fevered.
The next minute he had taken a glittering little knife from the satchel
he wore at his waist, and passed the keen point beneath the coarse
cotton bandage, dividing it twice, so that the edges sprang apart, for
the cloth was cutting deeply into the swollen flesh.
With deft fingers then he quickly unrolled the bandage, letting the
foul, badly stained cotton fall upon the sand at his feet, laying bare
to the sunlight a terrible cut running up from just above the wrist to
the elbow joint, evidently caused by the thrust of one of the
leaf-bladed spears, and now from long neglect horribly inflamed, and
threatening danger, while the suffering it must have caused had
doubtless been extreme.
The Hakim's examination was quick, and as he ran his eyes over the wound
and touched it here and there, he spoke without turning his head.
"Basin, sponges, plenty of water. Lint, bandages, dressings,
antiseptics, and my instruments."
Frank bowed, and hurried into the tent, while the Hakim supported the
injured arm and raised his eyes to the Baggara chief, whose gaze was
fixed upon him searchingly, and gave him a calm, reassuring smile, as if
saying, "Wait, and you shall be cured."
There was another low murmur now, and the crowd was pressing closer in,
but Ibrahim's lips parted as he raised his hands in protest, and at a
harsh command from the second chief the men stood fast.
The next minute Frank came out, followed by Sam bearing the doctor's
surgical case and the necessaries he had ordered to be brought, every
eye watching as these were opened out.
"Come and help, Landon," said the doctor quickly, and the great turban
was handed to Sam to bear into the tent, while the professor took up the
brass basin and held it ready for Frank to fill, the latter then placing
his hands ready to support the patient's arm.
During the next quarter of an hour the Baggara looked curiously on while
his festering wound was manipulated by the light touches of one of
London's most skilful surgeons, armed with the newest discoveries of
science. And formidable as the task was, and severe the treatment,
those firm white hands, and the cleansing, cooling applications gave
more relief than pain, so that the stoical patient, when the touches
from glittering knife and keen needle had ceased and given way to
medicated cotton wool, lint, and tenderly applied supporting bandages,
uttered a sigh of relief, and the scornful look of contempt gave way to
one of perfect satisfaction, for to him this was a miracle indeed.
A few minutes later the scarf was retied from the shoulder so that the
wounded arm rested comfortably and free from pain, the Baggara smiling
at his leech as he rose, and in an instant a tremendous shout rent the
air.