THROUGH

THE

DESERT

By
HENRYK

New

SIENKIEWICZ

CiNcnfNATi, Chicago

York,

BROTHERS

BENZIGER
PUBLISHERS

OF

BENZIGER's

1912

MAGAZINE

Copyright,

United
IN

THE

Brothers

Benziger

1912,

by

States

Great
and

Britain

-\ \ -.a

S57wE

Through

Desert

the

PART

I
I

CHAPTER

ELL, do you know," said Stasch Tarkow"that

ski to his friend,an Englishgirl,

N^

arrested the
Sabties (policemen)
0^ wife and children of Overseer Smain
the same
Fatima who often visitedour fathers'offices?"
looked up
Little Nell,as prettyas a picture,
.r:
the
yesterday

"

at Stasch

with
(Stanislaus)

her

greenish
eyes,

asked:
half afraid,
astonished,
"Have theyput them in prison?"
"No, but theywould not allow them to travel
to Sudan, and an officerhas been stationed to
watch them so as to preventtheir takinga step
^^outside of Port Said."
and half

"Why?"

I
'^

Stasch,who

was

fourteen years of age,

now

much
He

rade.
comattached to his eight-year-old
regardedher merelyas a child,and
assuminga very superiorair answered :
"When
you are as old as I am
you will know
everythingwhat is takingplaceon the canal
from Port Said to Suez, and all over Egypt."
"Have you heard anything
about the Mahdi?
I've heard that he is uglyand naughty."
was

"

'A'tk'l^V.'W

THROUGH

The

whether

think

he

so

only a
down

he

but

her knees, would

used

me

and

so,

that word

would

not

The

Mahdi

is worse

you

cause
speaking to you beunderstood
anything
used it in speakingto

have

than

understand

'naughty'is a good
talkingto littlechildren."
he

when

hundred

what

word

to

the troubled

saw

best."

knows

in

word

But

use."

papa

have

not

would

Do

who

man
"

else. He
me.

people 'naughty' that is a

with short dresses reachlittlegirl,
ing

told

you

call

to

many

to

"Papa
"He

condescendingly. "I don't

is ugly or not.
The Sudanese

is handsome;

has killed

DESERT

smiled

boy

know

word

THE

diles.
croco-

when

use

look

want

when

you

know
said: "Nell, you
The
time is
to vex
you.

"What

Said, and

"The

Mahdi

does not

eat

if the

eat

This
which
had
the

people;

have

me

to

augured

no

an

Mahdi

cannibal

he murders

anxious
should

to

try
deal with."
were

in

and

pression.
ex-

take

therefore

them
Said

take Port

assertion he made

the effect of

instead.

; even

if he

to kill you,

he

snarlingtone,

good to the Mahdi, but

apparentlyquietingNell

subject."I know,"

would

coming

me?"

is not

Besides,he will never

did capture it,and
would

that I

will be fourteen, too."

"Yes," she answered, with

Port

the

on

child's face he
don't

The

say?

it
on

she answered, "that you

But why won't they allow

protect me.
Patima
to leave Port Said?"

told

husband

the

at

travel to Sudan, where

staying,for
Europeans who

was

all the

Her

cousin.

Government

Egyptian

Cairo that he would

Mahdi

is the Mahdi's

Fatima

"Because

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

the

of freeing
the purpose
had
fallen into his

hands."
Smain

"So

"Listen!

well, had

is

fathers,who

Our

confidence

no

Nubar

warned

good, then?"

Pasha

not

Smain

knew
in

to

very

and

him,

they
But

him.

trust

was
willing to send Smain
government
with the
there, and he has been six months
Mahdi.
Still,not only did the captivesnot

the

return, but,

tum,
according to reports from Kharthe Mahdists
most
are
treating them
cruelly; and Smain, after having received
from

money

traitor.

He

the

commanded

Mahdi

in the dreadful

Hicks

fell,and

he

cannon,

of which

before.

But

the

turned

has

government,

of
artillery

battle in which

General

taught the Mahdists

these

Smain

knew

savages

is now

making

get his wife and children

knew
beforehand
Fatima, who

to

out

to

what

use

nothing

every

of

the

effort

Egypt.
Smain

tryingto do, is said to have attempted to

leave Port
Said secretly,
and that is why the
has imprisoned her and her children."
government
was

"What
Fatima

and

"The
Mahdi

does

the

with

want

her children?"

government
:

government

*If you

return

intends
those of

to
our

say

to

the

people you

THE

THROUGH

taken

have

this

After

in the

toward

DESERT
'*

will give up Fatima.'

we
prisoners,
ing
they stopped talking,for birds flyEchtum
direction from
om-Farag

Menzaleh

Lake

flew

They

attracted
rather

low

Stasch's
down

in

tention.
at-

the

pelicans could be seen

stretchingout their necks and slowly flapping
their tremendous
wings. Stasch imitated their
flightby raisinghis head very high, running
along the dam, and waving his outstretched
air, and

clear

many

arms.

The

"Look!

flamingoes also

are

flying!"

suddenly exclaimed.
Stasch
for just behind
stopped a moment,
the pelicans,
but hovering a little higher in the
two
air, might be seen
large objects,like red
Nell

rose-colored

and

flowers.

"Toward

evening they flyto their home on

the small island," said the boy. "Oh, if I only
had a gun!"
to shoot them?"
"Why do you want
"Women
such things,but
understand
never
let us go on; perhaps we
shall see some
more
of them."

With
the

those words

hand, and

path

behind
who

negress,

They

went

they

which
steamer.

the little girlby

along the first canal

went

Said, followed

Port

by Dinah,

formerly little Nell's

was

along

the waters

he took

the

of

pilot had

embankment

Lake

just

nurse.

that

fines
con-

Menzaleh,

through

taken

English

an

THE

THROUGH

Evening

DESERT

approaching.

was

The

sun

was

high,but it soon set below the lake,

whose
salt water
began to glimmer like gold
the shimmering hues of a peacock's
and assume
plume. On the Arabian shore, as far as eye
stretched the gloomy, menacing,
could
see,
less
the glassy and motiondead desert. Between
sky and the shoreless,furrowed stretch of
ure.
not a sign of any livingcreatsand there was
of
the canal presented a scene
While
activity boats glidingpast,
great commercial
the surface of
steamers
whistling,and over
Menzaleh
flocks of sea-gullsand wild
Lake
the
ducks
glisteningin the moonlight on
desolate as a cityof
Arabian
shore it was
as
stillrather

"

"

the

dead.

redder

the west
tinted

were

heather

several

became;

with

found

Walking
saw

the lower

But

toward
more

with

Nell must

home.

go

in winter

cold
care,

nights,and
Mr.

are

as

at

sank, the

lilac color, resembling the

woods

of Poland.

the

landing,the children
flamingoes,and their eyes
joy. Then Dinah said that
In Egypt the days,which
followed by
are
very warm,
Nell's health requiredgreat

Rawlison, her father, did

the child to remain

so

sun

the sand-dunes

even

in the autumn

fairlydanced
even

the

the

near

they returned

to

water

allow

not

after

the Rawlison

down;
sun-

villa,

the extreme

Mr.

the canal.
end of the town, near
of Stasch, had
the father
Tarkowski,

been invited to dine

then the whole

he

company,

came

in

soon

after,and

includingthe

French

Olivier, Nell's

Mrs.

woman,

down

Rawlison,

Company,

and

of

the

same

The

old.

her

in

them

thirteen
died

Stasch

and

through fire
their day's
pleasurewas

Mr.

and

face.

Both

were

years

by each
brought
sorrows

done

was

somewhat

their

While

Rawlison
and

charm

greatest
and

they

would

himself
and

were

praise

and

astically
enthusiher

in their views.

conceited

After

precocityof Stasch,

express

Nell's

gone

the education

talk about

correct

have

for little Nell.

water

work
to

would

Tarkowski

Tarkowski

angel

Said

in

lison
friendship.Mr. Rawthough he had been his

as

Mr.

about

was

three

mutual

Their

conversing thus Mr.

the capability,
energy,
and

before.

consumption

lived close

of their children.

the future

ing
giv-

their old

also cemented
loved

very

died

years

little girl was

dailycontact.

son,

of

gineer
en-

widowers.

were

their business in Port

other, and

been

lady,had

widowers

two

had

Both

French

had

when

Heluan

chief

Tarkowski,

years.

Canal

of the Suez

company,

Stasch

to

mother

Nell's

director

Vladislaw

Tarkowski,
birth

own

for many

intimate
Mrs.

sat

governess,

dinner.

to

Mr.

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

10

little

Stasch

boastful, but

quick in his studies, and the teachers of the

English school in Port Said prophesieda great
future for him.
He had inherited aptitudeand
courage

from

his father, for

in a
possessedthese qualities

Mr-

marked

Tarkowski

degree,and

THROUGH
to

DESERT

taken
for

his present high position.He

tion
active part in the Polish revolu-

an

eleven

then, being wounded

banished
to Siberia,

months,

he was
prisoner,
which he escaped and

and taken
from

11

he owed

them

had

THE

fled to

foreign

country.

joining the insurrectionists he was

graduated as an engineer. A year after his
lics;
escape he spent all his time studying hydrauthen he obtained
a
positionon the canal,
after several years,
when
and
his thorough
knowledge, energy, and industry had become
known, he was
promoted to the positionof
chief engineer.
Before

Stasch

born

was

of the canal,
the

reason

school

his

in

life,at vacation

Port

Said

and

bed. He

all the

knew

Arabs, and
would

small

well

as

the

on

the

of the canal

engineersand

everywhere, even
of looking for him

think

boat

tripsfrom
obligedto

the customhouse

workmen,

the

the negroes.

went

excursions

business

often

Rawlison

they were
superintendthe workmen

officers,as
He

Mr.

direct the excavation

to

Later,

time, he

Suez, which

to

do in order to
dam

and

this

colleague

of the Desert."

accompanied his father

when
short
went
on
the}'^

had

For

year.

his father's

engineersand
Child

the banks

on

there, and

up

his fourteenth

"The

called him

Said,

brought

was

attained

now

at Port

on
on

the

Lake

where
;

no

he made

embankments,
Menzaleh, and

rowed
often

one

long
his
wan-

THE

THROUGH

12

DESERT

He
would
to the
far away.
row
across
ing
shore and catch a horse, or not findArabian

dered

would

he

one,

in

aid him

donkey, to
desert.

take

In

word,

or

even

fakir in the
would

Tarkowski

Mr.

everything,and

every

his studies he

free from

ment
mo-

spent

father did not remonstrate

His

the water.

playing the

as

say, he ferreted into

he had

camel,

on

with

door
rowing, riding,and outlife would
the boy more
robust and
make
taller and
develop his energies. Stasch was
stronger than most boys of his age. One glance
at his eyes was
enough to convince any one that
he was
than cowardly.
more
courageous

him, for he knew

that

year

he

Said, which

is

In his fourteenth

in Port
for the Arabs

and

shooting wild

In
with

his small

hand

and

His

true

ambition

and

had

he

like fish.

swim

Egyptian geese
acquired a steady

eye.
was

the Sudanese

by

ducks

mer
the best swim-

saying a great deal,

the negroes

gun

Africa, and he
told

was

tral
big game in Cenlistened eagerly to the tales
working on the canal, who
to

shoot

wild beasts in their native country. This

him
interminglingwith the Sudanese
gave

hunted

the

Suez

The

also to be
sand

learningtheir languages.
Canal had not only to be dug, but
constantlywatched; otherwise the

advantage

on

of

either shore

Lesseps'great
vigilanceand care,
year.

machines

and

would
work

and

thousands

fill it up

demands
therefore
of

men

within

continual

powerful
under

the

THE

THROUGH

DESERT

13

ing
supervisionof skilful engineers are stilllabordaily,deepening its bed.
In excavating the canal twenty-five thousand
workmen
were
employed,but now that it is
completed and machinery is so much improved,
fewer
a

men

are

There

necessary.

considerable

however,

are,

still employed,

number

chiefly

natives,includingNubians, Sudanese, Somalis,

and

negroes

different tribes

of

and Blue

White

Government

whom

Nile, over
ruled

had

the

living on
the

Egyptian

before the revolt of the

friendlyterms with all

of them, and, as is usuallythe case
with the
Poles, he had a great giftfor languages; thus
out
of their dialects withhe had picked up many
in Egypt,
Born
knowing when and where.
the
he spoke Arabian
like an
Arab.
From

Mahdi.

Stasch

natives
the

the

firemen

as

Ki-swahili

dialect

"

and

on

language which

throughout the greater part

he

of Africa

could

make

the negroes of the Dinka

half
Schilluk tribes,who inhabit the upper

himself understood
and
of

served

learned

engines,he had

the

on

of Zanzibar, who

is spoken
"

lived

by

Fashoda, on the Nile.

French, and Polish

an

ardent

his

boy should be

Stasch
of all

patriot,had

languages,and

he

it to little Nell.
to make

would

her pronounce

always

say

also

lish,
spoke Engfluently;his father,

taken

familiar

also considered

He

with

great
his

But
his

"Stes"

that

tongue.

own

this the most

was

care

beautiful

ing
successful in teachhe
name

was

never

able

She
correctly.

instead

of

Stasch,

and

this

which

misunderstanding,
the little girl'seyes

caused

often

lasted until

only

"Stes"

tears, then

filled with

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

14

her

ask

would

usuallyvery angry with

habit of
he had a disagreeable
But
himself.
to her eight years, and
referring disdainfully
his age and experiencewith her
of contrasting
pleted
youth. He asserted that a boy who had comand
forgiveness,

was

his thirteenth

of

kinds
Polish

was

at

was

up,

heroic

and

least

not

were

longer a
capableof accomplishingall
if he had
exploits,especially

entirelygrown
child,that he

if he

even

year,

in his veins, and

blood

French

no

that

ardently wished for an opportunity to do

such deeds, especially
in Nell's defense.
Both
children imagined all sorts of dangers, and
how
her diffiStasch
culties.
to meet
always knew
he

For
a

crocodile

large as
through the
as

he would

instance, what
dozen

a
a

yards long, or

dog,

window.

to

into

creep

do

scorpion

the

of them

Neither

their most

soon
realitywas
fantastic conjectures.

CHAPTER
THE

INat
son,

on

meantime
home.

Mr.

house

had

least idea that the terrible

exceed

were

welcome
Tarkowski

the
to

II
awaited

news

and

Mr.

them
Rawli-

vited
had been inbeing experiencedengineers,
weeks before to inspectand report
a few

the works

province

of

of the whole

El-Fayoum,

canal system in the

in the vicinityof

THE

THROUGH

DESERT

along the
and the Nile rivers. They were
Yoosuf
going
there nearlya month, and had therefore
to remain
Medinet,

Lake

on

Karoon,

procured leave
decided
and
them

was

they would

that

and

that

Stasch

to

Medinet.

as

of absence

Christmas

As

company.

well

15

their

near,

they

should
the

When

from

own

both

leave the children,

not

Nell

as

accompany

children

heard

they jumped up and down with joy.

Until now
about the cities
they had only known
bordering on the canal, such as Ismailia and
andria
Suez, and, on the other side of the lake, Alexand Cairo, from which they had visited
the

news

the great

short

were

to

Pyramids

and

the

excursions, whereas

Medinet-el-Fayoum was a
by train along the Nile

then

El-Wasta

from

and

whole

expedition
ney
day'sjour-

to the

south, and

the west

to

Libyan desert. Stasch

the description
given by

knew

He

isolated oasis
that it was

having
Lake
small

knew

on

the left bank

independentof
water

Karoon

Every

one

oasis said that

engineers
all kinds

hyenas in
was
a large

of the Nile, but

the river's overflow,

who

had

although this stripof

Egypt, it is separated from

desert,and
the river

and

from

formed
by
system of its own,
and the Bahr- Yoosuf, and many

canals.

to

Medinet

that the town

the

toward

the younger
there to hunt

travelers,who went
of waterfowl, as well as wolves
the desert.

the

these

But

Sphinx.

seems

to be

Yoosuf, like

an
a

seen

the

land

longs
be-

it

the

by

isolated spot. Only

thin blue ribbon, con-

THE

THROUGH

16

DESERT

the Nile

valley. The
of water, the fertility
of the
great abundance
it an
land, and the luxuriant vegetation make
and the extensive ruins of the
earthlyparadise,
ancient cityof Crocodilopolis
attract hundreds
of curious
Stasch
travelers.
was
especially
this district with

nects

with

charmed

the

of

shores

its flocks of birds, and

with

expeditionsin

Lake

Karoon,

ing
by the wolf -hunt-

the desert hills of Jebel-el-

Sedment.
vacation

begin until a
few days later, but as the inspectionof the
works
the canal was
on
pressing,the fathers
decided that they
had no time to lose ; so it was
Stasch's

to

were

leave

togetherwith
a

week

later.

at

once,

to

go

but

at

not

and

once,

that the

children,

Olivier, should follow

Mrs.

Nell and
Stasch

them.

with

would

Stasch

did

not

this

For

wanted
venture

reason

them

to start
to

coax

they began

study and to inform themselves about everything

concerningthe journey, and it was with
they would not
great joy that they learned
have
hotels kept by
to live in uncomfortable
Greeks, but in tents placed at their disposalby
Messrs.
For
" Co., travelingagents.
Cook

to

travelers from

people who

Cairo

to

Medinet, and

also for

intend

stayingthere for any length

of time, the company
suppliestents, servants,
cooks, provisions,
horses, camels, donkeys, and
guides,so as to relieve the traveler of all care.
This is indeed
an
expensiveway of traveling,
but

Mr.

Tarkowski

and

Mr.

Rawlison

were

THROUGH

18

and

soon,

saddle

his back

the

to

in the

ground.

hand, after

two

allowed

had

father
there

settled herself

tomed
dromedary, which is not accusher up so that
to lightburdens, shook
for two days. Nell, on the
not recover

she did

other

DESERT

not

slid from

time

Another

three

or

her

to

rides

that her

take, declared

the world

nothing in

that

delightful.
Olivier had nothing but unpleasant

was

Mrs.

But

she had

as

she

THE

of

memories

rides.

her

more

said

She

that

it

was

right for Arabs, or for such little crabs as

than a fly
Nell, who felt the shaking no more
all

had

that

for older

people

the

alightedon
people,the

who

and

serious

to be

sure

are

hump; but
rather heavy

camel's

seasick,it was

very

different matter.
she also had

But
when

she

in

fact

else but

in

as

Olivier

Medinet

did

not

exactly

was,

last she asked

he

"The

only

Mahdi

which
Do

you

Mr.

smiled
is at

how

have

not

talked

of
and

Mahdi

Although
know

where

lest it might be in

Mahdists,

and

and

at

said:

tum,
present besiegingKhar-

far

by

General

it is from

Khartum?"
"I

In

Rawlison.

is defended

know

of the

of the Dervishes.

she felt uneasy

close proximity to the

But

alarmed

Alexandria, Cairo, and

the revolt

deeds

of the cruel

too

to be

throughout Egypt, people

nothing
Mrs.

reasons

thought of Medinet-el-Fayoum.

Said, as well

Port

other

the least idea."

Gordon.
Medinet

to

"About

far

as

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

here

from

as

to

19
plied
Sicily,"re-

Tarkowski.

Mr.

"Khartum

Stasch.

corrected

"Almost,"

lies

junctionof the White Nile and the Blue

Much
of Egypt and the whole lengthof
Nile.
Abyssinia separate us from it."
if
He
the point of adding that even
was
on
affected
Medinet
the districts most
lay nearer
by the insurrection, he would always be there
the

at

had

that he

he remembered

his rifle,
but when

with

repeatedlyreprovedby his father

silent.
bragging he was
fathers began conversingabout
two

been

similar
The

and

most

the

Khartum

from

news

The

encouraging.
besiegedthe town
half. The
English

now

and a
nearly a month
Egyptian government

for

and

The

not

was

tribes had

savage

the
the

insurrection,for this was

concerning Egypt.
important news

Mahdi

for

slow

officials were

had

act; the relief army

scarcely started;
and everybody thought that, notwithstanding

to

fame, heroism, and

Gordon's

barbarians.
that

that
and

Mr.

to

were

be

only

this

he

did not

of

wounding
When

say

the

of the

this to
his

Mr.

same

portant
im-

of the

suspected
glad if the
Egypt, so

it from
tract

enormous

settlement, was

too

southern

conquer

they might recapture

convert

who

Tarkowski,

would

England

Mahdi

fall into the hands

would

town

this
ability,

Mahdi

the

into

an

lish
Eng-

opinion.

Rawlison

But

for fear

patrioticfeelings.
dinner was
nearlyfinished,Stasch

the

inquiredwhy

Egyptian Government

all the land

annexed

fan, Darfur,

of Nubia

south

Sudan

and

and

Nyanza,

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

20

as

it had

why

far

as

robbed

had
Kordo-

"

the Albertitants
inhab-

the

mined
deterliberty. Mr. Rawlison
to explain this to him, because
every
made
was
move
by the Egyptian Government
of England, which
had extended
at the command
her protectorate over
Egypt and ruled
it as she pleased.
has deprived
"The
Egyptian Government
of his liberty,"
said he, "but instead has
no
one
of

their

it to

returned

millions.

short time

independent towns
Sudan,

except

thousands, and

hundreds,
in

were

Kordofan, Darfur,
and

here

there

ago

there

haps
per-

where

no

and
some

potentate asserted his rightsto several

districts and
appropriated them
by force,

small

againstthe will of the inhabitants. But on the

whole
inhabited
they were
by independent
tribes of Arabo-Negroes ; that is to say, by
in
people having the blood of both these races
their veins.
These
tribes were
perpetually
fightingwith one another.
They would attack
another, steal horses, cattle,and especially
one
slaves.

these

men

were

slaves.

apart, and
the

same

time

committed, but

were

for

At the

many

the

those who

most

hunted

atrocious deeds

desperate of
for ivory and

They formed, as it were,

to this class nearlyall the

tribes and
These

the
men

prosperous

led armed

class

chiefs of

merchants

longed.
be-

reconnoitering

THE

THROUGH

also
and

and

and

women,

thousands

took

children

stole

of

people
captive. They

"

"

settlements, and fields,

destroyedvillages,
spilledrivers of blood; they mercilessly

massacred

who

one

every

resistance; so much
so
of Sudan, Darfur, and

made

that

Arabs

advanced

the whole

and

vale of tears

which,

as

in every

and

to

way

But

converted

these

occupy

for

that

thieves to

into

England,

all slave

should

the

nearly

dealers

world, agreed that

Sudan,

force

the lakes,

that

so

Therefore

pursues

Government

Darfur,

as

part

also the

places.

was

blood.

part of the

Egyptian
only

Africa

know,

you

and

far

still farther,

of central

southern

Kordofan,

of

show

any

the

districts of the upper

Nile as
almost depopulated in
were

21

Africa, and

the interior of

partiesinto
ivory tusks
men,

DESERT

the

fan,
Kordowas

the

stop their

The unhappy negroes

slave-trading.
breathed freelyonce
and, as they were
more,
no
longer afraid of being robbed and attacked,
they settled down to some
degree of law and
order.
Apparently this state of affairs did
Mohammed
not
please the traders, so when
Achmed
called the Mahdi
now
appeared in
gruesome

"

their

"

midst, under
in

Egypt
the Holy

accord

took

up

the pretext that Mohammedanism

the decline,and prowas
on
claimed

arms,

War,
and

all the
thus

men

of

the terrible

one
war

began, in which, until now, the Egyptians have

fared very badly. The
Mahdi
has beaten the
Egyptian troops in every battle,and has taken

THE

THROUGH

22

Kordofan,

possession of
his tribes

advancing

DESERT

are

dan
Suand

besiegingKhartum

now

far

as

and

Darfur,

north

as

borders

the

of

Nubia."
"And

is it

Egypt?"

asked

possiblethat they

reach

can

Stasch.

"The
Rawlison.
answered
Mr.
"No,"
Mahdi, it is true, has proclaimed that he will
the whole world, but he is a barbarian
conquer
and

does

He

can

not

permit it."

not

"But

talkingabout.
Egypt, for England will

what

know

not

conquer

the

suppose

he

is

Egyptian

army

be

worsted?"
the

"Then

English troops,

will appear
"And
to take

"How
answered

on

are

vincible
in-

the scene."

why did England permit the Mahdi

districts?"
possessionof so many
do you know
that she permittedhim?"
Mr. Rawlison.
acts
"England never

in haste, for she is

great nation."

conversation

The

which

was

interruptedby

now

that Fatima
the negro servant, who announced
Smain
there and that she earnestly
was
begged
an

audience.

The

of the Orient

women

tically
prac-

their energies to household matters,

rarely leave the harem.
Only the

confine

and
poorer

ones

go

like the wives

and

where
custom,

and

of the

they

Fatima

market

to

or

fellahs

work

in the fields

(Egyptian

veil their faces.

came

from,

although

she

this
had

In
was

been

ants),
peas-

Sudan,
not
to

the

Mr.

THROUGH

THE

office before, her

Rawlison's

privatehouse,
seemed

shall

seconds there

few

Sudanese
with

the

at

same

in Fatima.

appeared a tall,young
dark, beautiful

her

woman;

face,

wild, tragic, and

its

was

unveiled.

fell

on

her

prophetic eyes,
entering she immediately

On

face, and

her

ordered

Tarkowski.

Mr. Rawlison,
"Yes," answered
time motioning the servant
to usher
In

in

appearance

at this late hour,

especially
peculiar.
learn
about
something new

said Mr.

Smain,"

23

and

rather

"We

DESERT

when

arise she

to

Rawlison

Mr.

assumed

kneeling

position.
bless you,
flocks."

"Sidi," she began, "may Allah

heirs,your house, and your
your
do you

"What

want?"

and

"Pity, deliverance,
trouble.

Oh,

Said, and

sir, I

asked

am

destruction

the

engineer.

help in time of
imprisoned in Port

hovers

over

and

me

my

children !"
"You

imprisoned,and yet you

able to come
here even
at night."
are
"The
Sabties, who guard my house day and
night,led me here, and I'm sure they have been
ordered

"Talk

say

to

you

cut

like

are

off
a

heads

our

sensible

soon."

very

answered

woman,"

Mr.

Rawlison, frowning. "You

Sudan, but in Egypt, where no
without
a
judicialsentence, and
rest

your

assured

that not

children's will be

one

hair of your

touched."

not

are

so

in

is killed
can

you

head

or

of

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

24

tercede
to inbesought him once more
for her with the Egyptian Government,
and obtain permissionfor her to travel to meet
Smain.
"The English are as great as you, sir,"
she said ; "they are able to accomplishanything.
she

However,

The

in Cairo

government

that Smain

thinks

is

day
Yestertreason, but that is not true.
talked with Arabian
merchants, who

guiltyof
I

Suakim, after having bought rubber

that
ivory in Sudan, and they told me
from

came

and

and

lies ill in El-Fasher

Smain

the children

him,

to

come

bids

that he may

so

and

me

bless

us."

"Fatima,

have

you

this tale," interrupte

Rawlison.

Mr.

began to protest by
tellingthe truth, and then

She
was

now

Smain

were

to

the freedom
if he

of

the

admission

to

him, and

asked.

done
She
have

him!

she

Dervishes

join her husband,

see

he would

recover

to die then

she

If

"

"

as

if it were

prevented her

her

she

might

did not

bled

she, unhappy
or

misfortune

thing
any-

travel

to

longii
woma

the Khediv

fault,and if she

relative of the Dervish, Mohammed

Fatima

easilygain

be able to obtain

only

had

she said that

relative of the

for her heart

What

that she

certainly
buy
and
prisoners,

would

againstthe government
asked

Allah

of all the Christian

were

leader

to

invented

in

couj

being

tl

Achmeo

dare, before Englishmen, t

call her relative "the Mahdi," as that nam
"Saviour
of the World"; and she knev
means

THE

THROUGH

him

as

rebel and

and

bowing

husbands

or

her face

the

Continually
witness

to

her

the

on

death

she threw

Then

to

of the Orient

women

of

their

herself

ground, or, speaking more

carpet which

the

on

do

to

sons.

on

upon

misfortune, she began

her

accustomed

looked

heaven

just as
piteously,

weep

25

schemer.

callingon

and

innocence

are

Government

Egyptian

that the

DESERT

on

rectly,
cor-

the inlaid

covered

silent.
floor,and remained
Nell, who had felt somewhat
sleepytoward
wide
the end of dinner, was
now
awake, and,
she had a kind heart, she took her father's
as
and
over
hand, and kissing it over
again,
him

begged
"Won't

to

her

who

Fatima,

English,said
head

word

in Fatima's

help her, papa?

you

And

say

between
the

from

seemed

Help

half.
be-

her!"

understand

to

her sobs, without

raising

carpet:

"May Allah bless you, you little flower of

paradise,Omaj's delight! Little star without
blemish!"

Although

with

very

angry

by

Fatima's

said in

in his heart of hearts

the Mahdists, he

request and

by

her

had

Nell

ended

Stasch

touched

was

sides,
Be-

sorrow.

spoken for her, and

by doing what she wanted,

was

he
and

always
so

he

undertone, but stillloud enough for

an

all to hear:
"If

Fatima

the government,
to leave."
were

I would

allow

THROUGH

26

"But

THE

DESERT
the

swered
government," anMr.
Tarkowski, "you had better not
interfere in thingsthat don't concern
you."
Mr.
also had
Rawlison
a
compassionate
heart, and he felt much sympathy for Fatima,
but various things she had said seemed to him
he practically
did
to be downright lies. As
business daily in connection with the customhouse
as

in

not

are

you

Ismailia,he knew

cargoes of rubber or
the canal lately.The

ceased.

almost

El-Fasher,
of
to

in

the

it
Smain's
But
at her

the

pass,
and took

almost

was

Nell

was

certain

to

father,the latter,not

girl,said

the

town

the

beginning
fused
absolutelyreand those they
sides,
prisoners.Be-

that

the

tale of

lie.

continued

look

beseechingly
wishing to sadden

to Fatima:

"Fatima, I have,
to

from

for

the Mahdists

robbed

illness
as

Sudan,

let merchants

caught they

no

that Arabian

from

return

not

war

that

ivoryhad passed through

trade in these goods had

Besides, he knew

could

merchants

well

very

the government,
as
yet. And

as

but
now

you

requested,written

have

received

listen.

no

swer
an-

To-morrow

(engineers)
going with the Mehendis
shall
the way
to Medinet-el-Fayoum. On
we
wishes
remain a day in Cairo, for the Khedive
to speak to us
and give us orders about things
concerningthe canal, which is being directed
from Bahr-Yoosuf.
During the conversation
and gain his
I will try to tell him your position

we

are

THROUGH

good
I

THE
but I

will for you;

Fatima

in thanks, she cried

"And

do

can

2T

no

both hands

out:

saved!"

I'm

so

and

more,

promise anything."
out
arose, and stretching

not

can

DESERT

Fatima," repliedMr. Rawlison, "do

speak of deliverance, for I have already

"No,
not

told you that neither you

threatened with death.
are
the Khedive

will

permit

tell,for Smain

not

after

whether

But

but
ill,

with

him

the

the least idea of

has not

prisonerstaken by
"Sir, Smain

Mohammed

or

depart I

to

you

children

your

is not

having taken

money,

nor

not
can

traitor,who,

government's
redeeming the
Achmed."

is innocent, and

he

is in El-

if he had
Fasher," repeatedFatima; "and even
been unfaithful to the government, I swear
to
benefactor, that if I am
permittedto
you, my
until I have
pleadwith Mohammed
succeeded in making him release your prisoners."
that I
"Very well; I promise you once more

leave I shall

will intercede
Fatima

for you

began

to bow

"Sidi,I thank you.

but
serve

you

"In
Mr.

just.
as

Egypt

Rawlison

with

And

the Khedive."
low.

very

You

are

now

not

beg

only powerful,

you

to let

us

slaves."
there
with

are
a

no

smile.

slaves," answered
"I have

servants

enough, and besides,I would not be able to

give you a positionas servant, for, as I have
alreadytold you, we are going to Medinet, and
we

may

stay there tillthe feast of Ramadan."

THROUGH

THE

"Sir, I know

it,for the

28

and

me;

heg

of

my

Gebhr,

are

as

as

soon

it I not

camel-drivers

in Medinet, and

their camels

and
that

selves
theywill placethemat your
disposal."
the director; "but

"Good, good!" answered

the Cook

two

there

reach

you

and

Chadigi told
to
only came

overseer

help,but also to tell you that

tribe (the Dangali), Idris

for

you

men

I heard

when

DESERT

is

Company

all these

attending to

details for us."

hands

Kissing the

gentlemen and
departed,blessingNell as
silent for
engineers were
of the two

the children,Fatima
she went.
a

The

while

and

"Poor

then

Even

Mr.

woman!

outside

one

two

Orient

the

shower

said:

tells lies such

She

of

in her

Rawlison

would

of thanks

as

no

dream

of.

false note

is

heard."

answered

"Certainly,"
"But

it is also true

traitor

detain her in
for

her

Nubia

Sudanese

apply

without
to

money,

to

this time
travel

and

comes.

only Fatima,

them

among

the

There

For

mit
per-

and

this does
are

to

certain

not

danese
Su-

many

here

came
are

not

Suakim

Dangali tribe,from

but

rightto
responsible
no

does

to

permission,and

only.
Egypt; they

belongingto
Mahdi

at

Fatima

in

has

acts."

government

any

be

Smain

for she is not

Egypt,

husband's

"The

that, whether

not, the government

or

Tarkowski.

Mr.

make

number

which

the

instance, to it belong not

Chadigi and

those two

camel-

THROUGH
Medinet.

in

drivers

THE

Egyptians
them, and

DESERT

The

Mahdists

Turks, and

are

29

at

are

like to go over
to his side if they dared.
include
of
all fanatics, all followers

Pasha, and
at

with

war

the Arabs
settled here are
among
followers
of the Mahdi, who
would

numerous

are

the

say

of the poorer

many

with

outs

They
Arabi

classes.

They
for having

the government

English influence,and pretend

their religion
suffers in consequence.
Heaven
knows
how
of
have already fled by way
many
the desert, and by so doing have avoided the
submitted

usual

to

water

route

found

"

our

men

them

out

Suakim,

and

as

the government

had

that Fatima

also,it ordered

to escape

guard.

to

her to be

Only by exchanging her

as
they are related to the
captured by them may we

attempted
placed under
and

her children

Mahdi

hope

for

"

to

get

back."

"Do

the lower

classes in

Egypt

reallysympathize

with the Mahdi?"

"The

Mahdi

has

followers

soldiers,and

fightso
"But

perhaps
badly."

how

can

of the desert?

the Sudanese

It is thousands

yet slaves have

Egypt that way."
do

could

stand

"But
over

believe

not

she

journey

will make

to Suakim."

among

that is the

"And

"I

even

that

reason

our

they

by way
miles long."
brought into

escape
of

been

Fatima's

children

like that."
it shorter

by crossing

THE

THROUGH

30

"All

the

she is

same,

Thus

the conversation

And

twelve

house

the

with

poor

woman."

ended.

later, after

carefullylocked

had

woman"

hours

DESERT

of the

the

"poor

herself

in

her

Chadigi,
with raised eyebrows and a loweringglance in
her lovelyeyes, she whispered:
"Chamis, son of Chadigi,take this money;
start to-day for Medinet, and give Idris this
writing,which, at my request, the holy Dervish
Ballali

son

to

wrote

him.

The

overseer

children

of these

good (i.e.,
good material to be
used to further
our
ends) there is no other
if I can
not gain permissionto travel- I
way
that you will not betray me.
know
member
Rethat you and your father belong to the
tribe to which
the
Dangali tribe, the same
Mahdi
belongs."
Mehendisi

are

"

"

CHAPTER

ON

THE

for

followingday

III
the two

engineersleft

English residents,
and also to have an audience with the viceroy.
Stasch
calculated that this might take
two
days; he was
right,for on the evening of the
third day he received the following telegram,
from
Medinet
sent
by his father: "The tents
are
ready. Start when your holidaysbegin.
Send word to Fatima
by Chadigi that we were
unable to do anything for her." Mrs. Olivier
Cairo

to

visit the

THE

THROUGH

32

for several weeks

did not
so

what

in secret.

she wept

to be

was

so

done.

Olivier

feared

the

start

on

her

to

have

the

doctor

was

no

forbidden
he

because

set in

again,first
and

care

every

and

ate
immedi-

only
Said

Port

erysipelasmight

arranged for
and

leave

to

Rawlison, after

Mr.

with
having communicated
learningfrom him that there
danger and that he had
Mrs.

Stasch

and
philosophically,
ing
telegram followed by a letter ask-

take the matter

he sent

DESERT

fort
com-

then gave the children permissionto

But
the journey with Dinah.
as

tion
notwithstandingher boundless affecfor Nell, was
scarcelycompetent to take
charge of the journey and make arrangements
for them in the hotel, Stasch was
to be guide
and
One
cashier.
can
readilyimagine how
proud he was of this role,and with what lordly
pride he assured Nell that not a hair of her

Dinah,

head
and

would

be touched,

Medinet

if the road

as

presented

to Cairo

difficulties or

no

dangers.
As everythingwas
now
ready,the children
left that very day, travelingby the canal to
Ismailia, and from there by train to Cairo,
be
where
to spend the night and
they were
ready to go on to Medinet the followingday.
Timsah
When
they left Ismailia they saw
Lake, which

Stasch

had

Tarkowski, who

was

in

hours,

his

along to

leisure

seen

very

before; for Mr.

enthusiastic hunter

sometimes

shoot water-birds.

Then

took

him

the road fol-

THROUGH
the Wadi

lowed

mailia and
the Suez

had

digging of

canal

This

; if it had

the

with

Is-

before

dug

was

been, the workmen

not

of water

drop

this canal

before,
wide

Nile

the

connects

had

had

blossomed

now

and

rapid

to

stream

drink.

The
result:

good

another

the stretch of land, which

waste

33

Lesseps' great undertakingwould

in

employed
have

Suez.

Canal

DESERT

water
Tumilat, close by the fresh-

which

canal

not

THE

been
more

when

fresh

water

once

of

barren

windows
the
the car
through it. From
children saw
the
a large belt of vegetationon
which
left side, consisting of meadows
on
horses, camels, and sheep were
grazing, and
wheat, millet, alfa,
plowed fields, Turkish
and other species
of grain and field plants. On
flowed

the bank

of the canal

of wells, above

which

could

be

all kinds

seen

fitted

large wheels

were

that drew
pailsor ordinary cranes
up
the water, which the fellahs assiduouslyspread
with

up

over

the beds

wagons

or

drawn

carried away

by

in barrels

buffaloes.

Over

the

little

on

ing
sprout-

grain-seedshovered doves and sometimes

flocks of quail. On
the edges of the canal
storks and cranes
walked
gravelyup and down.
In the distance, over
the clay huts
of the
of date-palms that
fellahs, towered
crowns
looked like large feather dusters.
On the other hand, north of the railwaylay
a

wilderness,but it did

resemble

not

the other side of the Suez

Canal.

like the fiat

sandy

bed

of

the
That

dried-upsea,

one

on

looked
while

here

the sand

was

covered

great

which

through

with

scanty vegetation.

and

now

in

places
valleys,

broad

height,lay
then

piled

was

these hillocks,which

Between

attained

yellow,and

more

largehillocks

into

up

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

34

were

caravans

passing.

seen

the

From

camels

loaded

coat

and

children

the

walking singlefilein

of each

In front

windows

car

white

strode

camel

long line.

Arab

an

Nell

Little

turban.

saw

in black
bered
remem-

picturesshe had seen in the Bible at

scribed
home, which representedthe Israelites and dehow
they journeyed to Egypt in the
time of Joseph. They seemed
just like these
men.
Unfortunately,she could not get a very
because two English
good look at the caravans,
the

officers sat

the windows,

near

which

obstructed

her view.
had

She

no

sooner

told Stasch

seriously,and

turning to the officers,very

touching his hat, he said:
would

"Gentlemen,

you

for this little lady,who

of this than,

mind

would

making

room

like to look at

the camels?"
The

officerslistened with all due

two

and

one

the curious

put her

on

of them

not

only made

ness,
seriousroom

"little lady,"but lifted her up

the seat next
the window.

Stasch

immediately began

"That

is the

old

to

district of

for

and

lecture.

Gessen,"

said

Stasch, "that Pharao

Joseph for his
gave
brethren, the Israelites. Once, in fact very

long

that this

so

it was

Later
a

there

ago,

desert.

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

new

was

one

is

35

fresh-water

canal

the old

only

here,

rebuilt.

one

destroyedand the country became

the ground is becoming fertile
Now

again."
does

"How

this?" asked

gentleman know

the

of the officers.

one

"Nowadays

plied
things,"rebesides, Professor
Sterling

Stasch; "and
lectured to

long

us

had

attracted
who

Tumilat."

Wadi

on

ago

ently,
flu-

spoke English very

rather
peculiar accent;

Stasch

Although
he

these

know

people

of

attention

the

second

the

this

officer,

asked:

"Is

the

not

gentleman

young

English-

an

man?

little

"This
father

has
I

and

not

am

of

son

The

boy

lady
placed in
an

of

one

is Miss
my

at

care

the Poles

regiment of
fought side by
a

which

this answer,

and
disjointedly,

"I esteem

her

during the journey.

Englishman, but a Pole,
the engineersof the canal."

officer smiled

gave

Nell, whom

the

said:

highly. I belong to
cavalry that in Napoleon's day
very

side with

the Polish

in

Uhlans

of which, even
several battles, the memory
to
in honor
the present day, is enshrined
and

glory."^
*The

English

mounted

troops which

cavalry against Napoleon

officers,when

fought

with

of their

speaking
the

Poles."

boast

"

of it

fought

even

to

regiment,

never

S. Chevrillon, "Aux

with

this
fail

the

day,

and

to say,

Indes."

PoUsh
the
"We

THROUGH

36

"I

THE

pleased

am

to

DESERT

you," answered

meet

Stasch.

The
the

conversation
seemed

officers

from

be

to

these

that

happened

along pleasantly,for

ran

entertained.

officers

Said

to

Cairo,

ambassador

and

to

receive from

in

lay before
a

to

doctor

regard to
The

them.

way

and

to rule

was

over

of Suez

of the two

the

who

one

was

talked

travelingfrom

was

where

Mombasa,

he

the entire district surrounding

this harbor, which

Samburuland

to

final instructio

him

younger

in the army,

by

see

long journey which

the

Stasch, Captain Glen,

Cairo

to

traveling
the English

were

Port

It

and

enjoyed reading

stretched
Rudolf

out

Lake.

stories of

far

as

as

the

Stasch, who

African

travels,

lay several degreesbej^ond

the equator. He knew, too, that the bordering
find them
countries, although the English now
are
reallybut little known, being
interesting,
rhinoceroses,
quitewild, full of elephants,giraffes,
buffaloes, and all kinds of antelopes,
which
are
constantly seen
by army merchants
and missionaryexpeditions.So the boy envied
Captain Glen from the bottom of his heart and
that he
so
promised to visit him in Mombasa,
might hunt lions and buffaloes with him.
"All right,but I beg for a visit from
this
little lady,"answered
Captain Glen, laughing
and
pointing to Nell, who had just left the
knew

that Mombasa

window

"Miss

to

sit down

Rawlison

beside

has

her

him.

father," answered

THROUGH

THE

Stasch,"and I

DESERT

37

ing
onlytakingcare of her durthe journey."
Thereupon the second officerturned round
Is he not the
suddenlyand asked: "Rawlison?
canal director who has a brother in Bombay?"
"My uncle livesin Bombay," answered Nell,
a finger.
raising
"In

that

am

case,

ried
dear,your uncle is mar-

my

sister.

is Clary. We
are
My name
related,and I am heartily
gladthat I have met
littleone."
you and made
your acquaintance,
The doctor was
pleased.He said
very much
to my

that

as

soon

inquiredfor
but
office,

he arrived in Port

as

Mr.

Rawlison

at

Said he had
the

director's

for
told that he had gone away
his regret that
the holidays.
He also expressed

the

was

shipin

Mombasa
and

which

he would

He

Medinet.

Suez

be unable

asked

her father,and
Mombasa.
two

Glen

to sail from

was

so

The

he and

to

in

take

Nell to remember

promisedto

officersnow

dozens

directed most

background.

of oranges,

sherbet
did full
Dinah

fresh

justiceto

also, for

was
qualities

an

At

these

among

unusual

of their

was

what
some-

station

every

dates,and

served.

were

him to

write to her from

conversation to Nell, so that Stasch

in the

going to
few days,
a
trip to

were

even

Stasch and

good things,as
her

other

fondness

cellent
ex-

Nell
did

excellent
for

eating.

In this wa}^ the journeyto Cairo passedvery

quickly.The officers on leavingkissed Nell's

"Co

i^ box

THE

THROUGH

38

and

littlehands

hand, and

DESERT

head, and shook

Captain Glen,

then

by the

Stasch

admired

who

the

boy very much, said, half in earnest

and half in jest:
knows
where, when,
"Listen, my boy! Who
resolute

and

under

circumstances

what

remember

we

that

may

meet

always
help."

again?

But

count

good will and my

to you,
I can
sir,"
promise the same
bow.
Stasch, making a dignified

on

"And
answered

my

CHAPTER
Tarkowski

MR. loved
were

The
with

and

his little Nell

the

delighted at

Mr.
more

arrival

Rawlison, who
than his life,
of the

children.

people greeted their fathers

spect
equal enthusiasm, and at once began to intwo

young

of which

were

all

prepared to welcome
beloved
that the tents
guests. They saw
as
spaciousas large rooms,
handsomely

completelyfitted
were

can

IV

the tents, the interiors

the

you

fitted with

up

double

red flannel,and

and

roof, lined with

that the floors

were

blue

and

covered with

Company, which was so well

thought of by the high officials of the canal, had
done all in their power
able
to make
things comfortand pleasant for them.
At first Mr. Rawlison
had feared that a lengthy stay in the tent
might injureNell's health, but at last he gave
his consent, because
in bad weather they could
But
to the hotel.
always move
having
now,

rugs.

The

Cook

little girlhe resolved

garden here,
house, and

to

in this
his services

canal,

these

But

buy

to

build

to

comfortable

and

land

some

English

spend every holidayhe could procure

favored spot, and perhaps, when
the
on
no
were
longer necessary
residence.

this his permanent

make

to

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

40

embryo plans for the

were

distant

future.

wanted

to

all the tents,

see

camels

and
But

it so

could

to

see

them

good

friend

of Cook's

as

keys
the don-

hand,

to

compensate

from

Port

servants, and

and
son

Stasch

even

He

Mr.

day.

next

them

for

lighted
de-

were

Chadigi, their

of

Said.

dren
chil-

that the

so

until the

Chamis, the

see

well

as

away,

disappointment,Nell

their

flitting
arrival,for they

time.
by Cook, before dinnerhappened that the animals were

not

other

the

been

hired

distance

grazing some

had

since their

like flies ever

about

On

children

the

Meanwhile,

was

not

Rawlison

one
was

surprisedto see him in Medinet, but as he had

strument
his into carry
previouslyemployed Chamis
he took
him
to
run
along now
errands and perform other services.
The
evening meal proved to be very good,
for several years filled
for the old Copt, who
took
for the company,
cook
the positionas
pride in showing his skill. The children told
the acquaintanceof the
how
they had made
officers during the journey,and this especially
interested Mr.
was

married

Rawlison, whose
to

one

of Dr.

brother

ard
Rich-

Clary'ssisters,

THROUGH

THE

DESERT

41

had resided in India for several years.

As
without
children, the uncle was
they were
very
fond
he only knew
of his little niece, whom
and

from

photographs,and

in all his letters.

amused

much
had

The

his
Mr.

the

that

duty in

climate
would

the

"

the

up

dinner

ously,
quite serito

visit

equator.
explain to him
stay long on

never

to the

"

of Africa

basa.
Mom-

to

day

some

place owing

same

Stasch

side of the

officials

and

before

ous
treacher-

he, Stasch,

captain would

longer in

post,or perhaps no

After

which
to go

obliged to

was

be grown

tenth

his mind

the other

on

English
the

invitation

her
also

were

this invitation

took
up

Tarkowski

fathers

Captain Glen

made

friend

new

inquiredabout

two

the

from

boy

and

The

at

received

he

be at his

this world.

whole

the

party went outside

the servants
put up canvas

tents, where

chairs,and prepared siphonsof soda-water

and

now
brandy for the two gentlemen. It was
and the full moon
night and unusually warm,
made
it as brilliant as day. The white walls
of the ugly buildingslooked
in contrast
green

to

the

tents, the
and

of

roses,

was

now

the

sound

asleep.
cranes,

of which

of

in the firmament,

filled with

was

In

be heard

the

the Nile

bark

air

twinkled

the

perfume

acacias, and

that could
from

stars

toward
a

dog

heliotrope. The town

the silence of the night all

was

an

herons,
came

Karoon
was

occasional
and

in with
Lake.

loud

cry

flamingoes, the
the breeze

from

Suddenl}^the
heard, which
surprised

THROUGH

42

Stasch

THE

DESERT

and

from
to come
Nell, for it seemed
the tent they had not yet visited,in which were
sary
kept saddles, tools, and various things necesin

traveling.
a
large dog

"What

that

be," said

must

Stasch.

Tarkowski

began to laugh. Mr. Rawlialso laughed; then knocking the ashes off
son
his cigar,he said:
to lock him up."
use
"Well, it was
no
Mr.

he turned

Then

"To-morrow,
and
from

this

Mr.

as

dog
I

to be

was

but

a
as

obligedto

am

will be

know,

you

Tarkowski,

to bark

begun

to the children.

mas,
Christ-

surprisefor Nell
the surprisehas
tell you

about

it

to-day."
Nell

When

around

his

knee
then

neck;

quickly climbed

this she

Tarkowski's

Mr.

on

heard

and

put her

jumped

she

on

arms

her

father's knee.

"Papa, dear, how

The

and

embraces
stood

last Nell

"Mr.

her

on

Tarkowski's

Mr.

I am, how
happy!"
kisses seemed
endless; at

happy

eyes,

to

see

"I

looking into

said:

Tarkowski""

"Well, Nell, what

"Now

feet, and

is it?"

that I've found

him

out

he is here, I

ought

to-day!"

knew,"

cried

Mr.

excited
be very much
this little fly would
not

to

hearing about

it."

Rawlison,
over

be

pretending

the matter,
content

with

"that

only

THROUGH
Mr.

THE
turned

Tarkowski

DESERT
to

43

Chadigi'sson

and

said:

"Chamis, bring the dog here."

The

Sudanese

at

the kitchen-tent and

an

soon

animal

enormous

Nell drew

disappearedbehind
stepped forth leading

once

in leash.

back.

her father's hand.

*'Oh,"she cried out, seizing
But
the contrary, went
into
Stasch, on
ecstasies.
"That

is

lion,not

dog."
"His name
is Saba
Mr.
(lion),"answered
"He
Tarkowski.
tiffs,
belongsto the breed of masThis one
the largestdogs in the world.
is only two years old, but is already enormous.
be afraid, Nell.
Don't
He
is as gentle as a
lamb.

Chamis, let him

Chamis
himself

let go

loose!"

the leash and

free, began

to

wag

the

dog, feeling

his tail,to rub

self
him-

he
againstMr. Tarkowski, with whom
had alreadymade
friends,and to bark for joy.
mired
the children adBy the lightof the moon
his large round
head with its hanging
hps, his strong paws, his great size,which with
the golden yellow of his whole body gave
him
the appearance
of a lion. In all their lives they
had never
seen
anything like him.
"With
such a dog one
could safelywander
through Africa," cried Stasch.
up

"Ask

him

us," said Mr.

It is true

if he

can

catch

rhinoceros

for

Tarkowski.
Saba

could

not

answer

this ques-

THROUGH

44

his tail still harder

tion, but he wagged

himself

rubbed

against them

up

and

confidingly

so

all fear and

suddenly lost

Nell

that

DESERT

THE

began

to

his head.

stroke

"Saba, dear, good Saba!"

him, raised
his head toward the little girl's
face, and said:
"Saba, look at this little lady. She is your
You
mistress.
must
obey and protect her
Rawlison

Mr.

down

bent

over

"

understand?"

do you

Saba

"Wurgh!"
bass,
wanted

he did understand

imagine, for
being nearly on

head

in

say

deep

what

was

of him.

And
would

to

really understood

if he

as

heard

was

tongue

as

made

That

into the tent

after

took

level

and

little nose

to lick her

he

better than

even

advantage of his
with the girl's
face
with his broad

cheeks

sign of allegiance.
laugh. Nell
every one
wash

to

her

quarter of

one

hour

to go

she

When

face.
an

had

she

that

saw

had

Stasch's shoulders,
laid his paws
on
the weight. The
that Stasch bent under

Saba

and

dog

was

head

he.

taller than

bedtime

Meanwhile

be

had

arrived,but the little

allowed

talk for another

girlbegged

to

half-hour

get better acquaintedwith her

friend.
it

was

her
of
to

turned
re-

on

to

And
not

to

they became

long

his back,

before
as

friends

Mr.

held
the

soon

Tarkowski

ladies ride.

fallingoff, so he
lead the dog by

so

She

her, and

collar.

was

new

that

placed
afraid

told Stasch

After

she had

ridden
this
sat

himself

tried to mount

when

toward

moon-lit

had

been

bed

on

the tent.

began

until

who

Saba,

to bark

by

in

now

the

collar

dressed

and

deep

manner,

to

hold

the

two

Chamis

Meanwhile

again.

in white

gentle,

so

menacing

ordered

Rawlison

that Mr.

men,

the

to

public
figures appeared, running

off,

white

two

square,

just about going

were

afar

from

sand.

the

on

children

The

him

45

pecuHar saddle-horse,but the latter quicklyhis hind legs and Stasch

on
unexpectedly

found

so

Stasch

short distance

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

fore
burnooses, stopped be-

the tent.
"Who

asked

is there?"

Mr.

Tarkowski.

"Camel-drivers," said one of the

"Ah, you are Idris and Gebhr?

newcomers.

do

What

wish?"

you

"We

have

to ask

come

whether

will need

you

to-morrow?"

us

"No.

and the

To-morrow

holidays,during which
excursions.

to make

us

now,

early in

"We

the

thank

"And

have

it is not
Come

after

great

are

customary

days

three

for

from

morning."

you,
you

day

effendi."

good

camels?"

asked

Mr.

Rawlison.
"Bismillah!"
horses

with

Otherwise
"Do

fat
Cook

they not
"Sir, you can

answered

humps
would

Idris.
and

"Real

gentle
have

as

saddlelambs.

engaged
jolt considerably?"
lay a handful of beans on
not

us."

the

46

THROUGH

backs

of any

"If

he's

"Or

not

will fall off,

one

fast

they gallop."
exaggerating he at least does it in
ing.
style,"said Mr. Tarkowski, laugh-

Arab

true

of them, and

how

matter

no

DESERT

THE

Rawli-

Mr.

style,"added

in Sudanese

son."
Idris and

Meanwhile
hke

the

posts and carefully surveyed

The
Nell.
moonlight illuminated

and
of

faces
look

them

as

and

made

bronze.

The

sand-drivers

the two

if carved

of their eyes

whites

there

white

two

Stasch

stillstood

Gebhr

of

out

looked

greenishfrom

neath
be-

their turbans.

"Good-night," said Mr. Rawlison.

"May Allah protect you by day and by
night,effendi!"
At these words
they bowed and departed.
Saba was
evidentlynot pleased with the two
Sudanese, and as they left he sent a deep,
thunderous
growl after them.

CHAPTER

FOR
when
Mr.

some

But

the first star

Rawlison's
of

tree

days followingthey made

to

appeared

tent

was

lightsburning on

for Nell.

The

compensate
on

no

for

Christmas

illuminated

with

cursions.
ex-

this,

night
dreds
hun-

the littleChristmas-

customary

fir-tree had

been

replacedby a salpiglossis
plant cut out of a
garden in Medinet, but nevertheless Nell found

side, for he drew

reverse

Arab

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

48

children

him.

after

great crowd

At

first

they

of
mained
re-

distance, but becoming bolder on

of the gentlenessof the "monster,"

at
account

they approached, and

at

the tent,

so

could

as

Arab

every

from

that

no

one

last swarmed

child sucks

morning

till

around

freely.And

move

pieceof sugar-cane
are
night, the children
a

of flies,
which are
always followed by swarms
not
only annoying, but dangerous, for they
spread the germs of the Egyptian eye-disease.
the servants

Therefore

the
tried to drive away
children. But Nell not only interfered to tect
prothe younger
them, but divided amongst
which

sweetmeats,

ones

her

and

at

the

caused

time

same

them

to

adore

naturallyincreased

their numbers.

days later the general excursions

Sometimes
they traveled on the narrow-

Three

English had built

in Medinet-el-Fayoum, sometimes
partly
many
on
donkeys, and again on camels. It is true
these
on
they found that the praisebestowed
animals
much
exaggerated,for
by Idris was
not
only beans, but people,found it difficult
gage

to
a

railroads, of which

gan.
be-

stay

on

their backs.

tiny grain

of

truth

the

Yet

after all there

in what

he

said.

was

The

reallydid belong to the riding species,

and as they were
well fed with maize, they had
such an
inclination to
fat humps, and showed
gallop that they had to be held back.
camels

The

Sudanese,

Idris

and

Gebhr,

notwith-

THROUGH

DESERT

THE

49

glarein their eyes, gained

and approval of the party, espethe confidence
cially
of the zest with which
account
on
they
and the great attention they paid to
worked
Gebhr
had always a cruel, brutal exNell.
pression
standingthe

savage

notice every
this little person
as
slow

to

and

over

careful

more

Idris, who

his face, but

on

of the

one

not

was

party adored
clared
de-

apple of his eye,

again that he would

the

over

of her than

of himself.

be

theless,
Never-

imagined that Idris

wanted
to get at his pocket by means
of Nell,
ing
but as he thought that nobody could help lovhis dear littleonly daughter,he was
ful
grateMr.

him

to

In the

Rawlison

and

did not

the

spare

bakshish.

days the party visited

the ruins of Crocodilopolis,
which lie near
the
It is there the Egyptians used to pray
town.
had a human
to their god, Sobek, who
body
with

crocodile's head.

made

was

ruins

of five

course

of

to

the

made
Lake.

The

the

wilderness
;

on

Hawara

camel-back,

northern
some

in which

bank
old
not

was

and

flocks of

save

Egyptian towns, is
a vestigeof life remains

but south of the lake stretches

heather

Karoon

to

of this lake,

fertile region,the banks

with

excursion

next

pyramid and the

cursion,
Labyrinth, and the longest ex-

for the ruins of

a

The

being

ful,
beauti-

overgrown

canebrake, in which

merable
innu-

pelicans,
flamingoes,herons,

wild geese, and ducks make their homes.

There
Stasch found his first opportunityto show what

*;0
a

good

he

he could

aim

each

Arab
a

millah

and

sheep were

Stasch
the

declared
and

and

Idris

the

each

hps, and
they cried

that there

hyenas

time

out, "Bis-

were

the bank

on

that

hidden

be

to

if the
there

great

opposite
of

carcass

they would

be

quence
getting a shot. In conseand
of what they heard Mr. Tarkowski
spent two nightsin the wilderness near

of

certain

ruins

of Dimeh.

the firstsheep as

and

that

true

so

Manalieh!"

wilderness, and

almost

were

their

fell into the water

wolves

many

an

what

astonished

smacked

Arabs

The

the

the

one

rowers

bird

good shot
ordinarygun or his

rifle,his shots

Renommier
after

take and

he used

Whether

was.

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

soon

But
as

the Bedouins

stole

had left,

the huntsmen

the second

only attracted a lame jackal,

which Stasch brought down.
All further hunting
had to be postponed,for. it was
time
now
for the two
engineers to begin their journey
to inspect the water-works
being erected at
of El-Lahun, to
Bahr-Yoosuf, in the vicinity
the southeast

of Medinet.

Mr.

Rawlison

was

only waiting for the arrival of Mrs. Olivier.

instead of her arrival,they
But, unfortunately,
received a letter from the doctor telling
them
that she was
due
again a victim of erysipelas,
to the

Said

bite,and
for

some

It

was

would
time.

be unable

They

to

were

impossiblefor

them

in

leave Port
a

ment.
predica-

to take

the

children, old Dinah, the tents, and all the servants

with them, because the engineerswould

THROUGH
be here

THE

to-day

receive

might

and

Mr.
behind

in

of

agent

the

care

there

far

as

Rawhson

decided

of Dinah

and

of

the
or

Italian

was

in the

make

and
vicinity,

the children to

that

worth
anything especially
"We
are
taking Chamis

said,"and
Dinah

will send

we

does what

must

look after both

to leave Nell

also

and

the

Rawlison

tripsto Medinet
they would invite
be

seeing.
along with us,"
to you

he

if necessary.

Nell; but as
her, you, Stasch,

of them."

assured," answered

rest

can

sideration
con-

feasible he and

accompany
she likes with

Nell

some

Mr.

always

must

"You

him

great

if there should

to them

come

the

unwillingto part

very

would

they

Consul

with her father, that whenever

Tarkowski

and

Stasch, and

governor.

promised Nell, who

when

as

Therefore, after

native "Moodir"

Mr.

51

to-morrow,

order to go

an

Canal.

Ibrahim

DESERT

Stasch,

own

I shall protect Nell as if she were

my
sister. She has Saba, I have the rifle,
and

now

let any

"that

"That
"You

is not

point!"said Mr. Rawlison.

possiblyneed Saba and the rifle.
that she does not

Only pleasesee
and

also that she does not

asked

the Consul

Cairo

at

send
news

you.
very

Chamis
from

to

should

once

as

you.

send

often
The

as

for

tired,

too

I have

doctor
ill. We

from
will

possibleto bring

Moodir
we

get

take cold.

she become

Besides, I hope

long."

her."

the

not

can

dare harm

one

will

shall not

also

be

us

visit
away

THE

THROUGH

52

Mr.

also cautioned

Tarkowski

told

He

in Medinet,

for
of

province

there

animals, and

ridiculous,and unworthy of
he had

undertake

to

for

ride

one

when

Nell

Mr.

of

heard

his

camels

with

Nell,

tires any one

this she looked

out.

But

had

Tarkowski

be

not

expeditionon

an

them

on

wild

no

attentive,and

on
especially

account,

own

kind

any

were

teenth
boy in his fourthing. And so

be careful and

only to

need

that it would
a

imagine such

to

year,

well.

Stasch

his tection,
proalso in the whole

as

El-Fayoum,
wild

people nor

did not

that Nell

him

DESERT

to

calm

so

sad

that

her.

"Of

course," he said,strokingher hair, "you

shall ride on
camels, but with us, or on the
way

to us,

"And

when

not

we

can

ourselves, not

send

we

even

Chamis

make

any

to fetch

you."
excursions
by

tiny littleones?"

asked

the

girl.
And

with

exactlythe

her

forefingershe demonstrated

size of the

little excursions.

The

fathers at last gave

in, on condition that they
would
be led on
donkeys and not on camels,
and

not to go out to the ruins,

they were
where
they might easilyfall into a hole, but on
the roads to the neighboringfields and the gardens
the outskirts of the town.
The Dragoon
mans
and Cooks
servants
company
were
always to ac-

that

the children.
Then
not
so

go

the two
far away

that ten

hours

"

gentlemen left,but they did

only to Hawaret-el-Makta
later they were
able to return
"

THROUGH

DESERT

THE

53

night. This they did for

spected
several successive
days, until they had inthe work in the vicinitj^Then, as they
what
were
obliged to inspect work in placessomeChamis
farther away,
came
riding up at
night,and early in the morning took Stasch
to the little town
and Nell along with him
for the

Medinet

to

Chamis

days

in Medinet.

to their tents

returned

thing
some-

of
children spent most
sunset
their fathers, and toward

with

day

them

The

of interest.
the

to show

their fathers wanted

where

did not
she

and

come,

had

the

But

some

then Nell, notwithstandi

Stasch

of

company

always discovered new

ger.
talents,woul'd watch lovingly for the messenIn this manner
the time passed until the
feast of the Three
Holy Kings, on which day
the two engineers returned
to Medinet.
Two
daj^slater they went away again,after
be gone
that they would now
having announced
and

longer time,

far
to

she

Saba, in whom

as

and

would

Suef, and

Beni

the canal which

southward.

from

Idris and
his and
to

fathers

had
saw

gone

children

the

him

to

the

Nell's account,
the tents
had

to

ordered

and

tell them

them

that

to

watch

talked with
there
he

where

to go.

at

o'clock.

eleven

pasture
was

were

appeared

first. Chamis

told Stasch that he

Nile far

along the

greatly surprisedwhen Chamis

Medinet
the third day about
on
Stasch, who
the camels,

as

there to El-Fasher,

stretches

Therefore

travel

probably

The

was

only on
ing
com-

their two

boy

im-

THROUGH

54

THE

DESERT

with this great pieceof news

to
he found playingwith Saba before

mediatelyran
Nell, whom
the tent.
"Have

the

heard

you

here!" he cried out

is

yet? Chamis

news

afar.

from

immediately began to hop, holding

feet together, as
little girls do when

Nell
both

skipping.
"We

are

"Yes,

we

going away !
are
going

We

going away !"

and
quite far

are

away,

away."
"And

to?" asked

where

her forehead.

the hair from

"I don't know.

"Then
far

know

that

we

going

are

away?"

"Because
Gebhr
That
the

means

camels
our

depart at
that

Nell

had

we

are

will be
fathers

various

make

bowed

hopped

made

going by
and

from

and

the camels.

train and that

in advance
there

we

to

shall

about
not

her loose

long that
only her eyes,
so

her feet rebounded

but

as

her

quickly

of rubber.

quarter of
before

with

there

he

that

say

excursions."

face, and

though

once

sent

are,

front hair covered

whole

Idris

heard

would

where

as

come

tell us."

do you

how

said he would

Chamis

directlyand

here

she, brushing aside

an

hour later Chamis

came

and

them:

"Khauage (young man)," said he

"we leave in three hours by the next
"For what place?"

to

Stasch,

train."

THROUGH

56
come

THE

wolves

across

dunes

Wadi

of

Chamis

"I did not

hour

an

in time,"

tried to overtake

success.

for

shall find the

But

that is of

no

letter and

in El-Gharak.

later,

of breath

the camel-drivers

reach

without

effendis

until

return

finallysaid. "I
we

sand-

the

on

perspirationand so out
hardly speak a word.

in

that he could

he

hyenas

Rayan.

did not

bathed

so

and

DESERT

them, but

consequence,
also the two

Is Dinah

going

with

us?"
"What?"
it would

"Perhaps
behind.

Neither

for Dinah

Chamis
and

stay

said anything

has

they planned the journey, arranging

the littlegirl,
always to accompany

therefore

and

of the effendis

to

her."

about
"Still

be better for her

she will go

with

us

this

on

bowed, placed his hand

trip."

his heart,

on

said:

"Sir, let

hurry or else we shall miss the

katr (train)."
The baggage was
ready,and they arrived at
meters
It was
not over
the station in time.
thirtykilous

Medinet

from
on

the little branch

towns

if Stasch

have

so

goes

had

to

but the train

Gharak,

line which

slowly and stops

been

alone

he

preferredtravelingby

these

connects
so

often

doubtless

camel

to

that

would

going by

train,for he calculated that Idris and Gebhr,

who
had departed two
hours
earlier, would
reach

Gharak

before

him.

But

this

would

THROUGH

DESERT

THE

57

long a journey for Nell; so her

protector,having been cautioned by both
young
careful not to fatigue the
fathers, was
very
girl. Besides, time passed so rapidlythat they
hardly knew that they had arrived at Gharak.
which
The
little station, from
Englishmen
Rayan, was
usually made excursions to Wadi
only several veiled
quite deserted. They saw
have

been

too

baskets

with

women

of

two

oranges,

strange

Bedouins, camel-drivers, and Idris and Gebhr

laden with
with seven
camels, one of which was
not a
luggage. On the other hand, there was
Mr. Rawlison; but
trace of Mr. Tarkowski
or

explainedtheir
"Both
gentlemen

Idris

desert

to

set

the

up

Estah, and have

"And

how

the elder
rubbed

the
from

they brought
to follow

us

find

them

guidesto meet
he pointed to

sent

of whom

his

toward

them."
the

among

Stasch.

words

these

At

follows:

as

ridden

tent

we

said

have

"They

have

instructed
can

mountains?"

absence

fingerin

us."
the Bedouins,

bowed

down

his

remaining eye,

one

before

them,
and

said:
camels

"Our

they

not

are

so

as

yours,

but

shall be there in

just as agile. We

are

fat

an

hour."

Stasch

night in

felt
the

glad

In

the

they

desert,but Nell
until

to

that

meet

now

her

meanwhile

papa

she

could

was

had

spend

somewhat

the

appointed
dis-

pected
certainlyex-

in Gharak.
the

station-master,

wearing

Egyptian

drowsy

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

58

red

fez, approached,

nothing else to do he
began to gaze at the European children.
the children of the Inglesiwho
"These
are
the desert early this morning
rode
toward
armed
with guns," said Idris,as he lifted Nell
and

as

he had

into the saddle.

Stasch
himself

fashioned

had

no

they

so

the

might

the children

his
at

all

been

have

Idris

directlytoward
an

sat

were

weather

the

Chamis,
followed

departed.
looked

after them

ruins

in

whereas

Sudan,

going straighttoward

five o'clock
was

and

camels

oppositedirection.

was

that it

for the Englishmen

surprised,
had spoken were
traveling

house, for there were

that day.
Gharak

It

large

was

behind

down

station-master

of whom

in

saddle

palanquin,except

also mounted

others

Had

Dinah

roof.

them, and
he

like

seated

and

Chamis

to

beside Nell, for the

and

the

his gun

gave

But
no

gone into
trains to stop

he had

more

in the afternoon

remarkably

Talei,

fine.

The

and
sun

the
had

side of the Nile and was

passed to the western
sinking below the desert. The golden and
purple hues of the sunset illuminated that side
of the heavens.
The
so
atmosphere was
meated
perwith the glow as to be nearly blinding
in its brilliancj^
The fields assumed
a lilac hue,
but the heights,taking on
a
amethyst
pure
color,were
sharplyoutlined againstthe twilight
background. The world lost all semblance to

THROUGH
and
reality,
those

the

Bedouin

moderate
desert

the
whole

were

over

weird

as

leader

sand

as

plowed

march

at

the camels

under

crunch

and

green
led the

but the moment

pace,

59

plays.

some

long as they rode

land

DESERT

lighteffects

the

in

seen

As

THE

felt

their feet the

suddenly changed.

scene

"Allah!

Allah!"

screamed

the savage

voices

of the Bedouins.
At

the

heard, and
a

time the

crackingof whips was

camels, changing from a trot to

same

the

gallop,began

to

like

race

clouds of the sand

air with

When

camel

than

when

he

seldom

And

this wild
But

swinging
time,
head

as

use

for then

"

to swim

she turned

are

he

more.
sways
the children at

that

rapid

too

saw

pale,he

everythingbecame

distinct
in-

racing so?" she cried,

her companion.
given the camels a loose

we

toward

he

his rider up
gait these

eyes.

they have
rein and now
they can
Stasch replied.
when

known

and

her

"I think

were

the

dizziness,and after a long

did not slacken, littleNell's

their pace

"Stasch, why

somewhat

"

ride amused

causes

began

But

gallops

it is well

before

as

gravelinto

he shakes

trots

animals

first.

loose

Allah!"
a

so

ing
whirlwind, throw-

their feet.

"Allah!

more

and

not

hold

that the

them

back,"

girl'sface

called to the Bedouins,

racingalong ahead

of

them,

to

go

was

who
more

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

60

slowly. But his cries only resulted in their

creasing
screaming "Allah!" again and the animals intheir speed.
At first the boy thought that the Bedouins
had

Gebhr, who

whip

to

he

were

of their

instead

on

the

could not

him

to

they arrived

late.

be the

But

he

soon

they

not

began

for Mr.

reason,

obey his

orders ?

be very

angry

to

worried

men

reason

Rawlison

In his
and

was

for

tiringout
And
why did
heart the boy

also

very

much

Nell.

over

"Stop!"
to

the

that this

saw

be angry with him

So what could this mean?

Nell.

of the

that

likelyto

more

sat,

perhaps they had

the wrong
road, and were
obligedto
this to make
up for lost time, fearing
two
gentlemen might scold them if

like

that

Nell

own.

It occurred

gotten

when

continued

he and

that

no

was

and

having broken loose, it was

hurrying them along for some

camels

run

which

on

conclusion

the

to

came

who

was

the camel

up

there

repeated demands,
ridingbehind them,

his

to

answer

when

him, but

heard

not

he

cried

with

all his

ing
might, turn-

Gebhr.

"OnskoutI

(be quiet),"roared the Sudanese

And
in answer.
they raced on.
In Egypt nightcomes
toward six o'clock.
on
The
moon,

sunset

soon

died

colored red from

arose

light.In

and

away

and

full,round

the reflection of the

flooded the desert with

the silence nothingwas

to be

set,
sun-

its mild

heard

save

THROUGH
the camels

THE

for breath, the

gasping

clatter of their hoofs

then the
was

so

would

quick,hollow

the sand, and

on

tired that Stasch

not

61

and

now

the Bedouins'

crackingof

in the saddle.

DESERT

whips. Nell
obligedto hold her
she asked if they

was

Every minute

arrive at their destination,and

soon

only the hope of seeingher father soon

again
buoyed her up. But they both looked around
in vain.
An hour passed then another.
There
neither tent nor
was
campfire to be seen.
"

Then
"

Stasch's

hair stood

he realized that

they had

end

on

been

CHAPTER

kidnapped.

VI

and

"|\Tr.Rawlison

with terror

Tarkowski

Mr.

were

^^^

reallywaiting for the children,but not

in the midst
of the sandy heights of Wadi
wish to go
or
Rayan, for they had no reason
there, but in a quite different place,in ElFasher,
where
the

town

on

they were
preceding

El-Fasher

and

in

by El-Wasta,

Medinet

he
Wasta

which

Rawlison

calculated

"Chamis

The

year.

as

went

he took

almost

follows

Mr.

as

is

there

obligedto
doubles

no

travel

the

tance.
dis-

the time-table

the

before

day

Tarkowski,

the train

between

meters
forty-five kilo-

consulted

away

said to

is

name,

during

distance

is about

one

that
done

inspectingwork

direct communication,

and

of

canal

straightline, but

Mr.

the

coming

"and

from

day,"
yesterin El-

Cairo,

so

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

62

been

Medinet

in

this

morning.
The children only need an hour to pack their
things. But supposing they left at noon, they
for the night train,
had
would
have
to wait
which runs
along the banks of the Nile, and, as
I have forbidden Nell to travel by night,they
probably started early this morning, and they
he

have

must

here

will reach

in

Nell

concerns

Besides, I
not
that they were
on.

sent

must

is hot headed, but

little; it is true, Stasch

anything that

"Chamis

Tarkowski.

"Yes," said Mr.

rest

sunset."

little after

him

to leave

he

card

can

be

lied
re-

tellinghim

night."

at

dence
capableboy and I have full confiin him," repliedMr. Rawlison.
"Yes, indeed, so have I. In spite of his
faults,Stasch is a boy of good character
many
and never
lies, for he is brave, and only a
"He

coward

is

lies.

later,when

He

does

lack

not

energy,

and

his

judgment develops,I think he

will be able to fighthis way
through the world."
"Certainly;but just think if you ever acted
with deliberation at his age?"
"I must
confess that I did not!" repliedMr.
Tarkowski, laughing; "but perhaps I was
not
so

self-conscious
"He

will

get

as
over

he is."

that.

that you have such a

"And
that you
you
little soul as Nell."
"God
much

Meanwhile, be glad

boy."
have

bless her," answered

affected.

sweet, dear

Mr.

Rawlison,

such

THROUGH

64

"I did not

said Mr.

the train
them

see

will

and

farther
sitting

they

were

of
Fasher

began

leave the

to

not

"Either

come.

did not

Chamis

said Mr.

El-Wasta,"

"or he may
night train, and

"That

catch

they

"If this
"Who

were

so

knows,

But

us

go

and

you

said

Mr.

took the

Mr.

is ill."

of them

would
we

Rawlison,

have

wired."

find

may

gram
tele-

see."

became
know

so

the hotel."

in the hotel there

Rawlison

"Do

Stasch

at

at

arrive to-morrow."

may

perhaps

awaiting us

train

noyed,
slightlyan-

and
overslept

have

be," answered

may

the

Tarkowski,

worried, "but perhaps one

"Let

train,but

chieflyArabs, for with the exception

beautiful
palms and acacia groves Elhas nothing worth
dren
seeing. The chil-

had

much

back in the

get out."

soon

travelers

The

of the windows,"

at any

Rawlison.

"Perhaps they are

Mr.

passed along the

shook and stopped.

string of lightedcars

platform,then

car

DESERT

THE

was

even

what

no

more

also

Tarkowski.

for them.

news

uneasy.

might

have

"If, for

pened?"
hap-

stance,
in-

have
not
overslept,he would
told the children ; he would merely go to them
to-day and tell them that they are to travel
will excuse
He
himself to us by
to-morrow.
orders.
our
saying that he did not understand
Anyway, I will wire to Stasch."

Chamis

"And

I to the moodir

of Favoum."

THROUGH
afterward

Soon

yet there

As

THE

65

telegramswere

two

was

DESERT

off.

sent

occasion to be alarmed, but

no

awaiting a reply the engineerspassed a

bad night. They were
up again early in the
morning.
Toward
ten o'clock a telegram arrived from
while

that read

the moodir

been

"It has

follows:

as

ascertained

the children left the

day

at

the station that

el-

before for Gharak

Sultani."

imagine that the fathers were

pected
greatlysurprisedand very angry at this unexFor
while they gazed at each
a
news.
the words
other, as if they had not understood
of the telegram; then Mr. Tarkowski, who was
It is easy

excitable

very

fist and

said

of such

"I

have

never

thought

Nell's father.

cure

But

that of him,"

after

while

he

"Well, and

Chamis?"

"Either

has

know

soon

ideas."

should

answered
asked

struck the table with his

man,

is Stasch's work, but I will

"This
him

to

he

what

to

not

do,

or

met

them

he has

gone

and

does not

in search

of

them."
"That
An
tents

is what

I think."

hour

later

they left for

they

learned

that

In

the camel-drivers

the
had

stated
departed,and at the station it was
good authoritythat Chamis had left for El-

also
on

Medinet.

Gharak

with the children.

THROUGH

66

DESERT

THE

Things looked darker and darker,

could only be explainedat El-Gharak.
It

began

unveil itself.

to

station-master, the

The

they

this station that the terrible truth

at

was

and

sleepy man

same

and the red fez, told

spectacles
that he had seen
them
a
boy about fourteen
years old and a little girleight years old with
an
elderlynegress, and that they had ridden
He
not
the desert.
toward
was
quite sure
whether
thej^ had eight or nine camels with
with the colored

them, but he had noticed that one of them was

laden, as if going on a long journey,and that
Bedouins

the two

baggage

he had

camel-drivers,

ridden

to

"Have

wolves

master,

they did
none

at

the

of

remembered

caravan

told

Englishmen

Wadi

Rayan.

these

Englishmen

of

one

him

that

who

had

asked

returned?"

Tarkowski.

"Yes.

But

he

Sudanese,

the children

were
thej'^

Mr.

looked

great deal of

their saddles, and

on

that when
the

also carried

with two
They returned yesterdaj^^
the stationthey had shot," answered
"and

was

very

bring the

not

I did not

ask

children

them

of my
business."
these
With
words

much

surprisedthat
back

with

the reason,

he

them.

for it

returned

to

was

his

work.

During
turned

as

friend with

this

explanationMr.

white
a

wild

as

paper.

Rawlison's

Looking

face
at

his

stare, he raised his hat, lifted

his hand

his

to

if he

as

be

be

must

and

cried Mr.

man!"

gered
stag-

to fall.

about

been

have

children

67

perspiringforehead,

were

"Rawhson,
"Our

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

Tarkowski.

kidnapped.

They

saved!"

man.
unhappy English-

! Nell !" repeatedthe

"Nell

and

"Nell

Stasch's

It is not

Stasch!

They have both been brought here by

knows
treacheryand then carried off. Who
Chamis
why ? Perhaps in hopes of a ransom.
is certainlyin the plot,and so are
Idris and
fault!

Gebhr."
he remembered

Now

these Sudanese

that both

tribe,to which

Chadigi,the

father

tribe.

the

children

of Chamis,

hopes
Smain

of

his

for

them

with

them?

the

would

they
on

be

be

one

sure

to

flee with
This

the bank

that

off in the
for

exchanged

thought
this

be

impossible

in the
of the

of the
So

to pursue,

the children to the

terror, but

be

all die

discovered.

for them

course

carried

themselves
the banks

thirst,and

he knew

It would

anywhere along
desert

this his heart

the tribe of the evil-minded

hide

to

to

that

family.

would

what

prophet do

but

ransom,

and

"But

been

not

Dangali

also of the

was

he

had

said,

belonged,and

thought of
nearly stopped beating,for now
same

As

of the

were

Mahdi

the

had

Fatima

what

desert

or

Nile, for in

hunger and
Nile they would
there was
only
of

and

that

was

to

Mahdi!"

filled Mr.

energeticman,

with

Tarkowski
who

had

for-

68

THROUGH

merly

been

soldier,soon

his memory

vividlyto

recalled

tried to

and

DESERT

THE

think

composed himself,
all that had happened,
of

of

means

some

rescuing the children.

to revenge
"Fatima," he reasoned, "had no cause
herself on our
children; so if they were

only to givethem into Smain's

of their being
is no
possibility

carried off it was

There

hands.

threatened
is

death, and

with

something; but,

that

the other

on

lies before

them

told Mr.

Rawlison

He

in misfortune

hand, the road

lead

may

what

that

their destructio

to

he

thought,then

he continued:
"Idris

and

Gebhr,

think that the hosts

off, but

Mahdi

the

which

Khartum,

can

travel

not

leave

the

and

camels

of the

Mahdi

has

This

along the

to

have

and

ignorantmen,

two

far

as

thousand

distance

they

sheiks

raid

on

would

of the Nile ; they

for if they do the

banks

this route,

people would

both

the banks

as

meters
kilo-

die of thirst.

immediately to Cairo and ask the Khedive

send telegrams to every
militarystation
make

far

not

are

advanced

is about

here.

from

savage

banks

of the

be

river.

offered

Go
to

and
The

large
reward
for the capture of the kidnappers.
to get water
Every one coming to the villages
on

must

be held up.
In this way
Idris and Gebhr
will surely fall into the hands of the law, and
must

we

will have
Mr.

our

Rawlison

children

had

once

more."

regained his

composure.

THROUGH
"I will

THE
he

go,"

DESERT

said.

seleyis now
will

from

shall not escape.

They
send a telegram to our
then

I shall go.

under

army

Wol-

the aid of Gordon

hasteningto

separate them

villains have

"These

forgotten that England's

69

the

can

not

and,

Mahdi.
escape

minister

at

They
!

I will
and

once

What

do you intend to do?"

"I shall telegraphfor leave of absence, and

without
their

waiting for a reply I shall follow

footstepsalong the Nile to Nubia, to

in
rect
di-

the search."
"Then

we

shall meet, for I also intend

likewise from
"All

Cairo

right!

"With

on."

And

God's

to work

now

help!"answered

CHAPTER

MEANWHILEthe the
over

!"
Mr.

Rawlison.

VII

camels

moonlight. It

doing

sand

stormed

like

glisteningin

ricane
hurthe

at first
night. The moon,
red and largeas a wheel, paled and rose
higher.
The
covered
distant heightsof the desert were
with a muslin-like,silvery
mist, which instead
of hiding them from
view clothed them with a
the plaintive
mysterious light. Ever and anon
the
whining of jackalsrang out from among

scattered

was

rocks.

Still another
around

hour

Stasch

put his

support her and to lessen

the springingswing of this wild ride,which was
arm

most

Nell

passed.

fatiguingto

to

the

girl. The

girlasked

her-

THE

THROUGH

70
self

and

over

racing

why
At

fathers' tents.

sooner

an

were

their

to

later must

or

tell

come

light.
off

"Nell," he said, "take

it

decided

last Stasch

her the truth, which

to

again why they

they did not see

over

and

so

DESERT

glove and

one

drop without attractingattention."

"Why, Stasch?"
He
pressed her to him and answered
unusual
apprehensivenessin his voice:
I tell you."
"Do
as
held

Nell
she

as

afraid

was

Stasch

to

on

with

let go,

to

one

she

let

with

hand, and

began

to draw

off the

glove with her littleteeth, each finger

separately,and when she had pulledit entirely
off, she let it drop to the ground.
"After

littlewhile

also," said Stasch

thrown

mine

at

him, and

"

but yours

not

mine, and

or

carried

and

us

be

possiblethat
us

for if that is the

after

later.
be

can

down

"I have

seen

better

back.

That

glove,

so

questioningly

continued:
Do

it is

father
have

minutes

light."
that the girllooked

noticed

"Nell!
see

away,

the other

tlieyare

because
He

few

throw

we

is

that

Meanwhile
I will think

we

we

may

not

meet

you
your

horrid

that these

people
off. But
don't be frightened,
expeditionwill be sent
case, an
shall be overtaken and brought
why I told you to drop your
the

can

of

frightened! But,

searchers
do

can

nothing

something.

more,
am

trace

us.

but later
sure

can

as
a

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

72

liked,and that he was

gallopingalong on
camel againsthis will,because a half -savage
he

Sudanese

it from

drove

great mortification

to

impossible to make

behind.

This

him, but he

saw

resistance.

any

was

it

was

He

was

obligedto acknowledge to himself that he was

really afraid of these people and the desert,
and that he dreaded what might stillbe in store
But he faithfully
for him and Nell.
promised
not only her, but himself
also, that he would
look after her and
cost

of his

which

had

and

from

out

cryingand

lasted six hours,

now

from

the

at

life.

own

Nell, tired

protect her, if need be

time

to

time

the wild ride,

began

to

doze,

fast

went

that to fall off

asleep.
galloping

Stasch, who

knew

camel

instant death, tied her fast to him

with

means
a

after

rope
a

which

while

he found

it seemed

to

on

him

the saddle.

But

that the camels

gallopingso fast, althoughthey were

tance
In the disflat,soft sand.
now
running over
glowing heightsappeared to loom, and
the plainsimaginary objects,
on
apt to be seen
and went
in fantastic
at night in the desert,came
The
shone
fashion.
moon
paler and
palerfrom the heavens. Before them peculiar,
pinkish,transparent clouds massed themselves
if blown
and glided away
at random
as
along
by gentle zephyrs. Stasch noticed that the

were

not

camels

and

the

burnooses

coming into illuminated

a

pinkishhue,

and

of the Bedouins

in

places suddenly
that

delicate

sumed
as-

pink

THROUGH

THE

enveloped the whole

clouds changed to

bluish

slowed

down

rocks,

which

sandy

hillocks

wildest

73

Sometimes

caravan.

continued

heights.
On arrivingat

DESERT

until

hue.

the

This

nomenon
phe-

reached

they

the

this chain of hills the camels

still more.

On

either
or

confusion.

about

strewn

The

stony.

They

passed

shrubs

of Jericho

roses,

ground

were

from

protruded

were

side

every

had

the
in

the

become

several

depressions
and
with stones
strewn
resembling dried-up
beds of rivers.
Sometimes
they came
upon
narrow
obligedto ride
passes, which they were
The
animals
around.
began to step more
carefully,
hfting up their feet as if dancing,
when
picking their way
through the hard
dunes

and rocks

camels

stumbled

they

needed

The

with

which

the sand-

covered.
The
plentifully
and it was
evident
frequently,

were

rest.

Bedouins

then

pass, slid out

to unload

halted in
of their

doned
aban-

narrow,

saddles,and

menced
com-

the

Gebhr

followed

to look

after the camels, to loosen their saddles,

to

take down

stones

on

the

which

find neither wood

burn,
Jericho
and

but
roses,

their

baggage. Idris and

example. They began

and
provisions,
to
nor

Chamis,

build

to look

fire.

which

manure,

Chadigi's

heaping them

They

up

in

for flat

could

the Arabs

picked
largepile,

son,
a

Whilst
the Sudanese
lightedthem.
busy with the camels, Stasch, Nell, and

were

old

THE

THROUGH

74

Dinah, the

found

nurse,

little apart from

to say
warm

down

she sat

rug,

others.

togethera
Dinah

But

and

was

was

able
un-

After

word.

themselves

the children

than

overcome

more

the

DESERT

wrapping Nell up in a
the ground beside
on
her hands
and to sigh.

began to kiss
what was
Stasch immediately asked Chamis
meaning of all that had taken place,but
her

and

latter
and

his white

showed

went

off to

Then

Stasch

"You

will

collect

asked

as

he

him

last the fire from

at

roses.

answered

threatened

the

laughed

Jericho

more

Idris,who

see," and

finger. When

teeth

the

curtly:
with
the

his
rose

at first only flickered,burst

branches, which
it in a circle
into flame, every one
sat around
except Gebhr, who remained with the camels
"

"

and

they began

dried

lamb

to eat

and

littlecakes

goat's meat.

of maize
The

and

children,

ravenouslyhungry after the long journey,ate

closed in
also,although Nell's eyes continually
sleep; but meanwhile
by the pale lightof the
fire Gebhr's dark face with its shiningeyes appeared,
he held up two
as
small, light-colored
glovesand asked:
"To
whom
do these belong?"
"To me !" answered
Nell in a sleepyand tired
voice.

"To

you,

you

littleviper,"hissed the Sudanese

through his
marking the way

clenched
so

teeth.

that your

father

"Are
can

you
trace

us?"

Furiously

angry,

he

beat

her

with

his

THROUGH

tear

Nell

covered

was

with

75
which

whip,

the skin of

even

open

DESERT

terrible Arabian

scourge,

THE

camel.

will

Although

thick rug, she screamed

ceed
pain,but he did not suca

frightand
in giving her a second blow, for Stasch
immediatelyjumped up like a wild-cat,threw
his head againstGebhr's chest, and grasped him
by the throat. So suddenly did this happen
with

out

that the

Sudanese

top of him, and

on
over

on

the

Gebhr

but

him.

his

boy

was

was

threw

ground, and
fist, began

him

come
over-

his hands

from

downward

face

the

use

strong

able to

pressingdown
to

and

over

very

soon

first he loosened

At

his throat, then

the

The

Stasch

with

rolled

both

they

ground.

for his age,

his back

fell on

on

his neck

with
his

on

scourge

back.
The

and

screams

cries of Nell, who

grasped

of the savage
and begged him to let
Stasch up, would
have been of no avail had not
Idris unexpectedly come
to the boy's rescue.

the hands

He

older

was

and

from

Gharak
Now

and

the

much

stronger than

beginning of

el-Sultani every
he tore the scourge

hand, and

throwing it

"Begone, you

fool!"

"I

this

shall

beat

one

But

and

Idris

undertone:

flightfrom
obeyed his orders.
of his brother's

far away,

scorpion

grinding his
caught hold of

lookinghim

their

out

Gebhr,

in the eyes

Gebhr,

cried:

death!"

to

swered
an-

teeth.
him

by

said in

the

chest,

ing
threaten-

noble^ Fatima

"The

has forbidden

death!"

"I shall beat him

to

"And

that

I tell you

of them

againsteither

scourge

I will repay

that you

and

tossed

over

children

"These

like

palm

Smain's

property, and
arrive alive,the Mahdi

are

of them

one

him

shook

continued:

branch, and
should

If you
each lash

inflict."
he

Then

lift the

again.

times

ten

you

"
"

repeatedGebhr.
shall not

you

hurt

to

us

children, for they pleaded for her

these

do

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

76

not

himself, may

God

would

hang

you.

name

of the Mahdi

increase his
Do

days

even

more,

understand,

you

you

fool?"
The

had

such

all his believers that Gebhr

on

ence
influ-

an

immediately

hung his head, and with great respect

frightcontinually
repeated:
"Allah

akbar!

Stasch

arose,

he would

now

had

he

but
the

even

scourge

think
the

to

run

of his

girl and

be

now,

were

proud

Nell's

burned

bruised, but
to

of him, for not

assistance

without

although the
him

ask

her

and

see

blows

like fire,he

pain, but began

own

to

akbar!"

panting and

if his father

that
him

Allah

and

to

did

vinced
con-

hear

only
tation,
hesifrom
not

console

if the lashes had

hurt

her.

"What
you

I got, I got; but he will not touch

kind of a
again. Oh, if I only had some

weapon!"
'All the relatives of the

Mahdi

bore

the title "Noble"

THE

THROUGH

littlegirlput both

The

moistening his
him
began to assure
and

cry

for him.

"Nell, I

hurt, and

from

I will not

swear

while

her tears, she

that it did not

forgivehim

not

"

he struck

but because

that the conversation

With

who

with

his neck,

ear:

he beat me,

After

around

arms

cheeks

77

pain,but out of sympathy

Thereupon Stasch whispered

that she did not

close to her

DESERT

to

came

you!"
Gebhr,

reconciled,placed coats
them, and
on
lay down

had become
and

ground
Chamis

followed

strewed

maize

they mounted

their
around

two

The

example.
for

the

and

on

the
soon

Bedouins
Then

camels.

of the animals

end.

an

Idris and

the brothers

cause
be-

rode off

in the direction of the Nile.

Nell

leaned

her littlehead

on

Dinah's

knee

asleep. The fire went out and for a

while nothing was
heard but the noise of the
Small
camels'
teeth crunching the maize.
clouds appeared in the heavens, and though
the
the moon,
and
then obscured
they now
the rocks
night continued clear. From
among
the ceaseless,pitiful
came
whining of jackals
throughout the deep hours of the night.
Two
ins
hours after their departurethe Bedoureappeared with the camels, which were
loaded with leather bags filledwith water.
lighting
Rethe fire,they sat down
the sand
on
and began to eat.
Their arrival awoke
Stasch,
who had fallen asleep,and also the two
ese
Sudanand Chamis.
Then
began the following
and

fell

conversation

"No, for

Stasch

toward
the

barking
shall

"We
at

the
of

When

we

and

between

nothing but

heard

We

lets
ham-

two

in the distance."

dogs

always have

ride off for water

to

deserted

fetch it from
the

pass

camels."

our

you?"

river.

midnight,and

the

Hstener:

eager

we

"

around

Idris.

advanced

We

one.

an

asked

see

one

any

"No

was

rest

must

we

seated

group

ride on?"

we

"Did

the

by

fire,to which
"Can

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

78

places.
(Challal,

first cataract

Schellal)the villageswill be farther apart and

devoted
to the Prophet. We
the people more
will certainlybe pursued."
turned
and supThereupon Chamis
over,
porting
his head

for the children

El-Fasher

from
latter

then

the next

on

come

Medinet,

then

to

the towns
on

take

three
camels

on

from

on

before

of

the

need

We
so

we

"

and

this will

All

us.

then, and

Nile

not

urge

smoke

can

comfort."

these words
the fire and

Idris

the banks

will pursue
daj^s at least.

pipes in
At

send

pened,
they find out what has hapto
they will have to return
wire
words
along a copper

camels

men

our

they

place can
and

his

night in

whole

to

will go to Fayoum,
and
Not
tillthey reach the
there to Gharak.

train, and

our

will wait

Mehendisi

"The

to

his hands, said

on

he took

lightedhis

burning
pipe with

began, after the Arabian

satisfaction by smacking

rose

custom,
his

twig

it. Then
to show

lips.

THROUGH

80

camels.

THE
will you

How

DESERT
be able to escape

ever

them?"
"The

desert is

large,"answered

of the

one

Bedouins.

"But
"We

they
be

have

you
can

cross

looking

are

keep

to
to

the

for

us

the Nile."

near

other

side, and

this side

on

while
shall

we

the other."

on

"The

words

will reach

running
and

the towns

the copper

over

on
villages

both

wires
banks

of the river."

"The

will send

Mahdi

us

angel,who will
of the English

an

place his fingers on the eyes

and Turks
(Egyptians), and
with his wings."
over
"Idris," said Stasch, "I
whose

Chamis,
bottle,nor

to

but

; I

to you

is

as

Gebhr, who

the Mahdi

to

head

know

he will

not

am

empty

is an

and

us

speaking to
as
a
gourd

infamous

that you want

deliver us
over

cover

to
to

jackal,
bring us
Smain.

But

if you
then
are
doing it to gain money,
that this little girl's
know
father is richer than

Sudanese

all the
"And

what

together."
does

that

mean?"

interrupted

Idris.
"What
free

does

it mean?

of your
own
will not be

Return

will and

the great Mehendisi

neither will my
father."
sparing of his money,
"Or
to the governthey will hand us over
ment,
and

"No,
if you

we

Idris.
are

will be
You

caught

hanged."
will

in your

certainlybe hanged
flight that is sure
"

THROUGH

happen.

to

THE

But

if you

DESERT

81

voluntarily
you

return

punished; moreover,
you will be rich
know
that
tillthe end of your days. You
men
the white people of Europe always keep their
of
I give you
the word
of honor
And
word.
will not

be

both Mehendisi
I

as

so,

that it will be

and

say."

Stasch
and

that it is

Rawlison

Mr.

that his father

reallyconvinced

was

would

thousand

times

rather

keep the promise he made than to let

them both, especially
Nell, take such a terrible
terrible life in
journey and lead a still more
the midst

Mahdi.

of the savage
So he waited

Idris to

answer,

but

and
with
the

tribes of the

angry

beating heart

latter

for

wrapt in

was

silence ; and after a while he merely said :

"You
say the father of the little girl and
yours

would

give us

"That

is so."

"And

would

great deal of money?"

all their money

be able to
the gates of Paradise
for us, which
blessingof the Mahdi opens?"
"Bismillah!"
and

Gebhr

Stasch

now

hereupon cried the

and

two

lock
un-

the

ins
Bedou-

Chamis.

lost all

hope, for he knew that

though Orientals are very greedy for money
and are easilycorrupted,when
medan
a real Mohamlooks at anything from a religious
point
of view

no

treasures

of this world

can

tempt

him.

Idris, encouraged by the assentingcries of

his fellows, continued
to talk, not apparently

THROUGH

82

in

Stasch, but

to

answer

fortunate

are

tribe

same

loves

will

exchange you

and

bless

which
to

sins.

Koran,
How

the noble

So when

and

for Fatima

that

in the
heal

the

his relatives,and

are

them.

Know

us.

he bathes

the

belong to

to

liver
de-

we

this littlegirlinto his hands

and

you

enough

her children

the great Mahdi

for

holy prophet,but

the

as

and

Fatima

of
the purpose
approval and praise.

further

gaining their
"We

DESERT

THE

he

her children

the water

even

in

morning will,according

the

powerful

sick

and

his

must

wash

away

blessingthen

be?"
"Bismillah!"

repeatedthe

and

Sudanese

the

Bedouins.
But

Stasch, graspingthe last thread of hope,

said: "Then

take

me

must

return

with

the

Fatima

and

her

alone."

me

"They are
exchange for
Thereupon
"Your

liketyto give them

more

you

both."

the

boy

up

in

bear the brunt

of

turned

father will have

to

to

Chamis:

deeds."

your

father

"My
to

along,but the Bedouins

little girl.
liver
They will dechildren in exchange for

the

in the desert

prophet," answered

"Then
But

is now

on

his way

Chamis.

he will be

here Idris

caught and hanged."

thought it better to encourage

his comrades.

"The
flesh of

hawks,"
our

he

bones

said, "who
are

not

are

to

eat

yet hatched.

the
We

threatens, but

what

know

children, and
for

desert

bary, and
and

no

one

often

the roads

and

Bahr-Yoosuf
but

water,

will follow

we

shall do

you

suppose

friends

of

the

Mahdi

tell you

that the further south

in

defense

tribes will

the pursuers
that the Mahdi

on

the

on

is far away,

draw

secret

no

Let

go, the

me

surer

their sheiks

and

their
grasp
faith.
These

to

and

food

the wrong

are

we

true

give the camels

set

that every

of

to

go

to

river?

the

findingwhole tribes
only waiting for an occasion
swords

Nile

that there

of

are

must

by night. And

that

by

ersed
trav-

are

will find

one

We

besides,do

we

that

the

to

the

in Bar-

been

no

us.

then

with

ing
people,"point-

only by gazels. There

us

longer

no

familiar

"have

know

they

83

are

These

time.

some

we

been

have

we

the Bedouins,

to

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

track.
but

and

water

know

We

also know

we

to
day brings us nearer
which
the holy prophet

the

skin
sheep-

kneels

to

pray."
"Bismillah!"

cried his comrades

for the third

time.
It

was

evident that Idris had

their estimation.

Stasch

greatlyrisen

realized

in

that everything

lost,but thinkingthat at any rate he

danese,
protect Nell from the fury of the Su-

was

could

he said: "After

littlelady has reached

ride of six hours

here half dead.

How

that she will stand such a

suppose
journey? If she dies,I shall die, too, and
you

will you

then

have

to

take to the Mahdi?"

the
do

long
who

THROUGH

84

DESERT

THE

first Idris could not

At

Stasch, seeing

answer.

this,continued:
"And

and

Smain

they learn that through

when

you

will the Mahdi

how

Fatima

and

children

her

receive
pidity
stu-

your

forfeit

must

their lives?"

"I

how

saw

By Allah,

you
she

die, and

againstold

seized Gebhr

you
are

said:

the throat.

by

lion,and will

young

not

"

he looked

Here
up

collected himself and

the Sudanese

But

at Nell's

Dinah's

littlehead

knees, and

leaning
a
iarly
pecul-

in

soft voice he concluded:

"We

will make

for her
will not
as

way

nest,

little bird's nest,

the

hump of the camel, so that

feel the fatigue and can
sleepon
peacefullyas she is sleepingnow."
on

he said this he went

As

and

with

the

help

of the

toward

the

Bedouins

she

the

camels,

began

to

for the

girlon the back of the

best dromedary. While
doing this they talked
a
great deal, and argued a little;but at last
able to arrange,
with the help of
they were
rods, something like
ropes, rugs, and bamboo
a
basket, in which Nell could
deep,immovable
prepare

either sit or

lie down, but from

fall. Over

not

that Dinah
a

seat

canvas

"Do
eggs

old

also found

room

was

so

spacious

in it,they stretched

roof.
you

would
woman

this seat, which

she could

which

see," said Idris

break

to

Stasch, "quails'

in these cloth rugs.

will ride with the littlelady,so
not

The
that

THROUGH
she

wait

can

sit with

THE

Stasch

camel, but

her and

alongsideof

take

85

day.

night and

another

on

me

her

on

DESERT

will

You

ride

can

you

of her."

care

glad that he had at last gained

that much.
the situation, he
Thinking over
became
convinced
that possiblythey would
be
found
before they reached the first cataract,
and this thought gave
But
he
him courage.
needed sleep,and he attempted to fasten himself
was

to the saddle

with

for

ropes,

support Nell any

thought he might get a few hours'
to

necessary

The

and
brighter,

night was now

stopped whining in
caravan

Sudanese,

narrow

not

was

longer, he
rest.

jackals

the

The

passes.

but
directly,

start

to

was

the

it

as

first the

seeingthe sunrise, went behind

rock a few steps off, and there began their
a
morning ablutions,followingout exactly the
on

instructions of the Koran, but instead of water,

which
to save,
they wanted
they used sand.

they raised their voices,and

Then

went

through

the first morning prayer.

In the great stillness
their words
"In the name
out distinctly:
rang
of the merciful

honor
who

and

pityingGod.

be to the Lord,
shows

honor

We

beg help of
but not

When

Thou

Thy

anger,

Stasch

us

on

dost not

in the ways
and

heard

of

ment.
judg-

confess to Thee,

we

Lead

day

and

world,

of the

the

pity on

Thee,

Thee.

those for whom

incurred

and

mercy

the ruler

Glory

of

in the
spare

path of
fits,
Thy bene-

evildoers,who

live in sin.
these

we

words

have

Amen."
he

also

THE

THROUGH

86

raised his eyes

to

heaven

country, in the midst

DESERT
and

"

of the

in this distant

yellow,silent sand

of the desert

plains,he began:
"We
flyto thy patronage, O holy
in our
God, despisenot our petitions

of

CHAPTER
faded

Mother
sities!"
neces-

VIII

just about
NIGHT
to mount
the camels when
they suddenly
perceived a desert wolf, which, dropping its
tail between
its legs,crossed over
the narrow
feet from
the
pass that lay about a hundred
and gaining the oppositeplateau,ran
caravan,
before an enemy.
In
if fleeing
as
on, terrified,
the Egyptian wilderness
there are
wild
no
of which

animals

this
What

this mean?

coming

were

pursuers

the Bedouins

he

wolves

They

are

were

afraid, and

sight greatly worried

could

had

away.

look

Sudanese.

it be that the

Could

One

them?

upon

quicklyclimbed

taken

the

fore
there-

of

rock, but hardly

than

he

ran

down

again.
"By the prophet," he cried, distracted and
to be a lion running
frightened. "There seems
toward

and

us,

he is

Just

then from

deep

bass

and

Nell

with

"Saba!
As

voice

this

one

alreadyquitenear."
behind the rock a "Wu'rgh"
was

heard,

at

voice cried out

which
with

in

Stasch

joy:

Saba!"
means

"lion" in Arabic, the Bedou-

88

THROUGH

Nell,

were

DESERT

THE
for

enough

such

even

"kelb

kebir."
Sudanese

the

But

arrival; the
and

began

excited

how

Chamis
in

to

worried

manner:

he

was

children, for they

able to find his way

to the
to Gharak
came
by train?"
followed

he

"Probably

camels," answered
will mark

our

road

Any

caravan,

of

the

with

us

tracks

one

seeinghim

and

will be able to show

taken.

have

we

the

Chamis.

is bad.

"That

which

dog's

brought this dog here," cried Gebhr;

"Idris

"but

talk to him

to

the

at

drew

camel-drivers

two

side and

one

worried

were

all hazards

By

we

get rid of him!"

must

"But

how?"

"Here's

asked
gun

"

Chamis.
it and

take

put

bullet in

his head."

"It is true

have

we

but I don't know

gun;

Perhaps j^ou do."

Chamis
might have been able to fire it off in
for Stasch had often opened
of necessity,
case
how

to fire

and

shut

it.

the lock

but his

sympathy

he had

grown

the children

to

would

gun
not

"If you

are

had

"then

to
no

very

idea how

no

pattern, and

the trouble

cunning smile,
Christian

Sudanese

unable

the arrival of

Besides, he knew

of the newest
take

in his presence;
by the dog,which

before

like,even

in INIedinet.

well that the two

use

of the gun
aroused
was

that

to

they

to find out.

do it,"he said with

one

will be able to kill the

but

this little

dog;

but

this

THE

THROUGH

might

gun

and

times

off several

go

I do

so

DESERT

advise you

not

89

in succession,

give it

to

into

his

hands."
forbid!"

"Heaven
would

shoot

"We

time

have

"Then

do

if you

out, and

and

know

the

that

have

we

follow

water, and
be

we

the

not
to

in

will

dog

the

along

gone

this side.

the Bedouins

hidden

are

that

sure

will find his bones

over

Whenever

us.

dog? Even
hyenas will dig

the

pursuers

Nile, but have crossed

him

before

open

kill the

to

in the sand

him

him

tear

may

eyebrows.

want

you

bury

also have

that you

to do?"

we

are

raised his

"Why

Gebhr.

stab him."

to

what

Chamis

dog

the

"He

quail."

but remember

throat, which

you

like

knives," remarked

have

"Try them,
a

down

us

Idris.

answered

So

for

go

ravine, you

may

the

stay with

let

dren.
chil-

Allah!"

"It is well he
he would
as

far

as

caught up

our

always

here; otherwise

led the pursuers

on
our
Barbary. You will not need

meals

he

catch

will not

hyena

"Perhaps
am

he will not

waste

to

hungry; he
jackal. Let

no

more

feed

can

him

time chattering."

right,"said Idris.
right,I will give him water, so
you

run

villages."

or

go

tracks

the remnants

satisfied with

alone, I tell you, and

"If I

us

have

him, for if he is not

of

to

are

to

the Nile and

be

seen

that

in the

THROUGH

90

Thus

ing
Saba's fate decided, and after hav-

was

rested

They
which

rode

now

energy.

which

on

sand, and

from

stretches of desert.

The

clouds

Light

he

refreshed,

tableland,

hue

the

thus

renewed

furrows

wide

assumed

shell.

over

had made

reached

sky

with

caravan

meal

good

and

dish of water,

the

the wind

had

little and

lapped up
followed

DESERT

THE

of

of

pearl

mussel-

gathered in the east,

then melting into golden

shininglike opals,and
tints.

First

then

one,

forth, and the sun

countries, in which
dawn

or

behind

from

the

floodingthe
and

earth

could

see

there

is

with

lay the

trackless

be

southern

burst

forth

far
sand

human

as

eyes

plains,now

denly
sud-

glow.

hurry," said Idris, "for

here from a great distance."
must

seen

light
twi-

pillarof fire,
livinglight. Heaven

disclosed in the vivid

"We

lightshot

scarcely any

like

calm, and

were

in

rise, but

not

clouds

horizon

of

ray

is usual

as

"

did

"

second

we

can

The

camels, strengthenedby their rest, and

having had plenty to drink, raced along with
the

fleetness of
but there

lost and

not

be

gazels.
was

no

Saba

remained

fear that he would

forthcoming

at

the next

hind,
be-

get

ing-place.
feed-

dromedary on which Idris rode

Stasch
ran
alongsideof Nell's camel, so
the children
could
easilyspeak to each
The

with
that
other.

The

seat

padded proved

to

which

be

very

the

Sudanese

had

comfortable, and

THROUGH

DESERT

THE

91

girlreallylooked like a littlebird in a nest ;

if asleepshe could not fall out.
This ride
even
fatiguedher less than the one during the night,
her and
Stasch
and the bright daylight gave
full of hope; as
The
lad's heart was
courage.
Saba had overtaken
cuers
them, might not the resHe
also be able to do so?
immediately
the

this to Nell, who

mentioned
for

the

now

had

smiled

at him

been

carried

first time

since

when

they overtake us?"

they

off.
"And

in French,

"I

not

she asked

understand.

to-day,maybe
three daj^s."
or
journey we shall

Maybe

maybe

in two

the

return

on

morrow,
to-

not

camels?"

on

"No.

Only

the Nile

on

that Idris would

so

don't know.

"But
ride

will

to

as

far

the Nile, and

as

then

on

El-Wasta."

"Oh, that's good, that's good!"

Poor
Nell, who used to be so fond of riding
now
camels, was
evidentlysick and tired out.
the Nile

"On
she

that

she

comes

on
ceaselessly

instant.
toward
To
would

El-Wasta

repeat in

to

the

Meanwhile

to

and

to

papa!"

sleepy voice.
had not rested long at their last stopping-plac
she now
fell asleep,
the heavy sleep
in the morning after great fatigue.

began

As

"

Bedouins

drove

the

camels

without

Stasch

lettingthem stop for an

noticed that they were
going

the interior of the desert.

make

Idris less confident

be able to elude

that

the pursuers,

the party

and

also

THROUGH

92

that he felt certain

him

show

to

leaving the Nile

are

of their

being

said:

found, Stasch
"You

DESERT

THE

and

the

Bahr

Yoosuf, but that will be useless,for they will

the banks, where there is
not search for you on
in the interior."

but
stringof villages,

one

Idris said:

And

"How

do you
banks
can

The

leavingthe
possibly be seen

know

are

we

not

Nile?
from

here."
"Because

backs; that

our

warms

off toward

turned
"You

after

"But

the

we

have

her."

the

not

from

overtake

And

us

"

us."

"I shall not

sleepingNell.
They raced along until
When

Idris approvingly.

added:

will

pursuers

halt.

that

means

he

neither will you escape

"No," he answered.

in the east,

now

boy," said

while

unless it is with

is

the west."

clever

are

And

which

the sun,

run

away,
he pointed to the

ing
scarcelymakstood high in the

noon,

sun

the
began to be very warm,
camels, although it is not their nature to perspire
profusely,were
dripping with perspiration,
and went
along much more
slowly. Once
the caravan
surrounded
more
was
by rocks and
sand heaps. Ravines, which served as beds of
rivers called "Khori"
during the rainy season,
heavens

were

seen

Bedouins

and

it

oftener
made

than
halt in

before.
one

At

last the

quitehidden

be-

THROUGH
the

tween

THE

rocks.

DESERT

But

93

scarcely had
they
than they began to

ahghted from the camels

and
forward, bending down
yell and run
mounted,
Stasch, who had not yet disthrowing stones.
between
saw
a strange sight. From
the dried shrubs
at the
that grow
plentifully
bottom of the "Khors"
appeared a largesnake,
which wound
its way
through the clefts of the
rocks as quick as lightningand glidedoff to a
Bedouins
of its own.
The
hiding-place
angry
with

ground
with
a

knife.

made

stone

Gebhr

it,and

followed

it

But

the

faces, and

were

heard.

ance
their assist-

of the

difficult to strike the snake

as

all three

their

to

unevenness

to stab it with

as

little while

hurried

the knife, and

returned

the usual

with terror

in
on

cries of the Arabs

"Allah!"
"Bismillahl"
"Maschallahl"
Then

looked at Stasch with

Sudanese

the two

penetratingand questioningglance.
had not the least idea why they did so.

Meanwhile
she

not

was

Nell
so

tired

spread a

cloth rug

told her

to

could
about

water.

had dismounted, and

lie

as

over

down,

stretch out

the
a
so

But

he

though

night before, Stasch

shady,level spot
that,

her feet.

The

as

he

Arabs

and

said, she
walked

sisted
eating their mid-day meal, which cononly of zwiebach, dates, and a drop of
The
camels were
not given a drink, as

they had

been

watered

during the night.

The

THROUGH

94

faces

of Idris, Gebhr,

anxious

an

silence.
and

THE

the

last Idris took

At

troubled

and

Stasch
in

questionhim

to

bore

Bedouins

the time of rest

look, and

began

DESERT

passed in

to

side

one

mysteriousand

manner:

"Did

snake?"

that

see

you

"Yes."
"Was

bid it appear

who

it you

before

us?"

"No."
"Some

will

misfortune

for these

fellows

clumsy

surelycome

upon

able to kill

not

were

us,

the snake."
"The

gallows await you."

"Silence!
Perhaps your
answered

"Yes,"

Stasch

is

father

without

hesitation,
and

immediately realizingthat these savage

beings regard the appearance
superstitious
a

snake

as

flightwould
"So
Idris.
revenge

"You
sons

j^our

"He
on

bad

not

ought
you

pay

"

an

of

that

augury

the

be successful.

father

will do

would

omen

cerer?"
sor-

sent

to

us," continued

it to

realize that

might take

we

for his witchcraft."

nothing to
you

me,

for

back for every

Fatima's

wrong

done

to us."

"Did

had not

you

understand?

been for

me,

not

Remember

only you,

bled
have
girl,too, would
Gebhr's scourge."
"I shall intercede only for
be hanged."

to

you.

that if it

but the little

death

Gebhr

under

will

THE

THROUGH

96

"What

do

think

you

DESERT
it

be?"

can

asked

the

Sudanese.
"Evil

spiritshave

sleepsin

the western

has

the wind, which

part of the desert, and it

of the sand, and is now
rushing

risen out

toward

awakened

us."

Idris

in his

saddle, looked out into the

distance, and replied:
"That's right. It is coming from the west
and south, but it does not seem
ous
furito be as
rose

the Khamsin."^

as

"But

only

three

in the

caravan

did not

with

such

nostrils,and

leather

bags."

that

whole

Hammed,

and

it until last winter.

camels'

"We

Abu

of
vicinity

uncover

blow

may

it buried

ago

years

hasten

must

force

dry
on,

to

as

It

stop up

the

the water

up

and

Ulla!

steer

our

in the

course

only the edge of it."

"We
are
running straightinto it,and
not possiblyavoid it."

so

will strike

we

"The

the

it comes,

sooner

can

it will be

sooner

over."
At
with

the
the

time Idris

same

and

scourge,

For

example.

the cries of "Yalla!

sound
loud
which

dark.

of the thick

clappingof
had

been

The

'This is

the

while

others

heard

whips, that

almost

The

that

only

the

become

now

in the

but

horizon,

western

the

his

hollow

resembled

white, had

blows

the

and

Yalla!"

hands.

wind

followed

nothing was

heat continued, and

southwest

his camel

whipped up

sun

blazed

spring-time.

THROUGH
down

soared

have

must

97

of the riders.

the heads

on

DESERT

THE

very

The

their shadows

high, for

smaller and smaller, and at last

became

hawks

entirely

disappeared.
It

until their throats

cried out to the camels

Arabs

like
quiet,and a deathonly by the groaning

dry ; then they became

were

silence ensued, broken

of the animals

sand-foxes^

past the

The

oppressivelysultry.

became

now

and

with

enormous

which

sped
oppositeside

ears,

fleeingto

caravan,

small

the rustle of two

the

of the desert.
The

spoken

Idris said

to

strange

tone

of voice

wind

"The

who

Bedouin

same

will

once

had
in

more

previously
peculiarly

break

soon

loose and

bury

everything."
"All the
Idris

need of

more

whipped
don't

"Because

the camel, and

you

you

am

But

"The
so

gone

or

bind

I need

not

do

'Ad

had

to do."

in any

case,

anything."
hands."

The
again relapsed into silence.
sand had ceased falling,
but a fine red

They
coarse

while

hands

your

want

can

desert is in God's

"The

crazy?"

guess what you

searchers will overtake
us

"No.

for

speak?" asked Stasch.

I
wondering whether

better tie you to the saddle

back."
behind your
"Have

little girl."

in silence.

they continued

"Why

up

helpingthe

animal

called

"feuschak,"

smaller

than

fox.

THE

THROUGH

98

DESERT

dust, somewhat
resembling mildew, remained
the sun
in the air, through which
shone like
a

Distant

sheet of copper.

objectscould

now

Before
extended
the caravan
plainlyseen.
the edge of which the Arab's sharp
a plain,
on
It was
higher
eyes again perceiveda cloud.
than the previousones
and rose in columns that
funnels with wide-spreading
formed
enormous
tops. At this sight the hearts of the Arabs
and Bedouins
quaked with fear, for they recognized
the sand-spout. Idris raised his hands,
and liftingthem
to his ears, began to bow
to
the advancing whirlwind.
His belief in his own
God
apparently did not prevent him fearing
heard him say:
others, for Stasch distinctly
be

"Lord!
not

We

devour

them, and

us!"

And

the "Lord"

fell to the

togetherin

heads

children, therefore do

your

hit the camels

they almost
huddled

are

turned

toward

enveloped in

grew

more

indistinct
camels

"

such

ground.

compact
the

quantitiesof sand began

was

with

rushed

darkness

force

The

that

animals
with their

mass,

Enormous

center.
to

upon

fly.

The

that

momentarily

intense, in which they saw

objects like enormous

rapidlypast them,
sweep

caravan

black and
birds

"

as

if

or

ened
fright-

The
Arabs
were
by the hurricane.
greatlyalarmed, for they thought they saw the
souls of the men
and animals that had perished
in the sand.

howling

In

the

midst

of the hurricane

voices, sometimes

of the tumult

they heard
weeping, sometimes

and

strange

laugh-

THROUGH

THE

ing, sometimes

cries for

terrible threatened

more

Sudanese

the

that if

well knew

hundred

times
The

caravan.

of

one

of the hurricane, should

its vortex, it would

sounds

the great
in the
continuallyform

sand-spouts,which
center

99

These

help.
Danger a

only delusions.

were

DESERT

down

knock

them

drag

into

the riders and

dispersethe camels, and, burstingupon them,

would
in the twinklingof an eyelashbury them
under

similar

some

and

of sand, there to remain

mountains

them

scatter

Stasch
blinded

should

storm

him, and

Sometimes

their bones

uncover

the desert.

over

nearly

until

lost

his

breath;

he became

it seemed

dazed

sand

the
and

dizzy.

though he heard Nell

he thought of her
so

as

crying and calling,and

alone.
ing
standKnowing that the camels were
closelytogether,and that Idris could not
be paying any attention to him, he determined
to the girl'scamel, not that he
to steal over
wished to escape, but only to help and encourage
her.
He
had scarcely
put out his hands to
catch Nell's saddle than Idris' large arm
held
him back.
The
Sudanese
picked him up like
a

feather, laid him

with

palm

rope,

hands, placed him

clenched

not

the

and

all in

and

convince

girl,and

the saddle.

resisted

vain.

his mouth

As

no

as

his

much

tied

his

Stasch
as

throat

sible,
poswas

full of sand, he could

Idris that he

had

bind him

to

after he had

across

his teeth and

but

parched

down, and tried

only wanted

intention

of

to assist

trying

to

THROUGH

100

escape.
all but

voice

But

THE
a

DESERT

little later,feelingthat he

suffocated, he cried

in

out

was

strained

"Save

little Biut!

the

Save

little

the

Biut!"'
Arabs

The

lives.

own

So terrible

the Bedouins
could

nor

and

bits,which
of

could

the

Idris

animals.

of the saddle

back

his camel.
far apart

The
so

as

and

animals
to

about

blown

to

under

that

the camels,

on

hold

the

endeavored
stood

curb-

the lower

pushed Stasch

resist the

strength failed them,

saving their

standing. Chamis

earth

fastened

were

sit

remain
to

sprang

of

the sand-storm

was

neither

the camels

Gebhr

think

preferredto

off the

to

with

jaws

control

their

raging storm,

and

the

caravan

legs
but
was

in the sand, which

pricked like
though with lashes

pins,and torn to piecesas

then faster,
from sand-thongs. Slowly at first,
cane
they began to twist and stagger as the hurriadvanced.

From

time

to

time

the sand

dug grave-likehollows beneath their

feet, or the sand and gravel,rebounding from
locks,
hilformed
the flanks of the animals, instantly
which
reached
higher than their
up
In this manner
hour after hour passed,
knees.
ing.
alarmthe situation becoming more
and more
Idris at last realized that the only means
of deliverance
lay in remounting the camels
But that meant
and racing with the storm.
turning
rein the direction of Fayoum,
where
whirls

'The

Little

Girl.

THE

THROUGH

Egyptian

and

courts

DESERT
the

101

awaited

gallows

them.

is

"Ha!

There

thought

Idris.

our
ceases

nothing

"The

hurricane

also, and

pursuers
will
we

as

gallop once

be

else to

has

done,"

delayed
it

as

soon

the

toward

more

south."
So

he cried out

for them

But

remount.

to

just then something happened that completely

changed the situation. The dark sand-clouds,
almost jetblack, were
now
suddenlypermeated
still
with bluish light. Then
the darkness grew
in the higher regions
more
arose
intense, and now
of the
air the
slumbering thunder.
Awakened
by the whirlwind, it began to roll
the
and angrilybetween
loudly,threateningly,
if
Arabian
and Libyan deserts. It seemed
as
mountains
were
fallingfrom the sky. The
deafening noise increased; it made the earth
zon.^
tremble, and began to encircle the entire horitime

From

to

time

with such terrible force that itseemed

the firmament
Sometimes

was

like

continued

was

At
after
'The

fell and

and
a

crashed

bolts,
thunder-

again.

This

and
ceased, as if terrified,

long, momentous

author

earth.

long while.

last the wind

a

though

to
falling

threw
flashed its blindinglightning,
rose

as

hollow, distant rumbling;

again it broke forth still louder,

it

then

and

broken

crashed

sound

the

heard

peal of

incessantly for nearly

half

pause
thunder
an

hour.

near

the
Aden,

doors
which

of

ued
contin-

THE

THROUGH

102

heaven

closed

little later

and

"God

is

stillness

the

the silence

through

DESERT

voice

sued.
en-

leader

rang

and

the storm

over

the

of

death

of

as

hurricane!

We

saved!"

are

They started off again; but the darkness was

so
impenetrable that although the camels ran
each
side by side, their riders could
not
see
other, being obliged to call out every minute
time to
not to become
so
as
separated. From
time
the lightning pierced the sand-filled air
vivid

with

darkness

blue

and

became

red

flashes, and
that

intense

so

then
it

the

might

Despite the confidence that the

leader inspired in the Sudanese, they still felt

almost

be felt.

for

blindly,not knomng
where
they were
going, whether turning round
in a circle or going toward
the north or south.
uneasy,

The

animals

but

little

they

At

hard

came

desert

shouted

through

to their

riders

gasping from fright.

large raindrops that generally

was

the first

follow

made

peculiarly and

so

it seemed

that

and

minute

every

speed, panting

if the whole

last

on

stumbled

breathing so
as

ran

and

hurricane,

the

leader

the darkness:

"Khor!"

They
camels
to

had
stood

descend

reached

motionless
very

ravine.
at

the

carefully.

At

edge,

first the
then

gan
be-

THROUGH

104.

could

the most

at

THE
but

looked

the Arabs
the animals

out

in any
party found

hand, the

in the

protectingniche

fire of brushwood,

who

which

written

was

had

to

unbound

said with

"The

Mahdi

sent

did not

first he took
old

ordered

to

him

the

all the

white

sand-storm

and

he took

for he

the sand

Dinah

to

washed
carefully

the

it with

the hurricane, and

heated

eyelidsat

first

the

then
and

could

blind

nearly stone

gone

during

water,
Dinah

the child's face.

do this,for she had

things they

to their fathers ;

towel, moistened

to breathe.

of her hair, and

out

unpack

to go

ing
look-

busy

was

scarcelyseemed

with them

had taken

of her

washing

relief. Nell

brought no

efforts,and
tired little bird, but

indifferent to all Stasch's

seemed

only looked
when

their

on

turned

now

smile

answer,

after Nell, who

not

hands

Idris,

the rain."

Stasch

At

pleasant
the bright
wet
by the

not

Stasch's

stopped

the

it very

is greater than

He

sorcerers.

On

all their faces.

on

that

see

danger.

was

scornful

to

sit around

arrival,so that he could eat,

and

bath; but

minute

not

were

Joy

give them
every

other

rain.

DESERT

he

sand, and

him

at

drew

off her

then

lie upon,
neck.
to

for her; he

now

shoes

spread out

she

In his heart

like

to

shake

the cloth rug

and

felt that he

elder brother, and

sole

was

more

her

protector. He

the

for her

around

put her little arms

he felt more

out

his

sympathy
guardian,
was

also

THROUGH
that he

aware
a

great deal

was

he looked

but

liked

her when

her

upon

as

he

at

had

ever

Said,

Port

"little baby," and

occurred

never

105

of this littlesister,

fond of her than

for instance, it

so,

DESERT

fond

very

more

had

He

been.

THE

to

him

then

saying good-night. If
such a thingto him
mentioned
had ever
any one
he would
have thought that a thirteen-year-old
gentleman could not do such a thing without
affectinghis dignityand his years. But now
his slumbering
the generalmisfortune
had awakened
affection for her, and he not only kissed
hands.
but both of the girl's
one,
cided
deHe lay down, stillthinking of her. He
to deliver
to do something extraordinary
her
from
prepared for
captivity. He was
for death
but
or
everything for wounds
with a slightreservation in his heart that the
to

when

hand

kiss her

"

"

would

wounds
death

might
he would

case

heroic

thoughts
seemed

to

be

not
not

Then

her freedom.
most

hurt too

not

means

real

one

be able to

as

Nell's

to think

began

of

deliveringher,
For

if whole

had

attended

the

over

but

his

while

sand-clouds

"

the Arabs

joy over

he

burying them and then as if all the

and
trying to creep into his head
fast asleep.
After

that the

and

for in the latter

see

confused.

became
him

much

it

were

camels

were

then he fell

to the

camels,

down, dead tired from the fightwith

fires
the whirlwind, and sleptlike logs. The
went
pitch dark in the cave.
out, and it was

they

sank

THE

THROUGH

106

the

Soon

rushing
stones

the water

of

the bed

on

awakened

had

which

the crevices

And

sleep. It
began

wide

soon

"Ah!"

he

them

trickle

to

hollow

by drop through a crack in the

The
cave.
boy sat up on the
sleepy at first that he could not
and what
was
was
happening to
was

that

seems

collected above

of the rock,

the

so

cold that he

so

was

his sound

from

the water,

Stasch

the

against the

of the ravine.

night passed.
Before morning

and

rain

it broke

as

outside

and

sleepersbegan to snore,
the patteringof the

heard

was

DESERT

in

drop

of the

cloth

so

rug,
tell where

he

him.

he

But

awake.

there

thought. "Yesterday

hurricane

and

we

this is the

cave

where

carried

were
we

took

was

by it, and
refuge from the
off

rain."

began
surprisedto
He

that it

was

to

longer dark

no

about

was

to

first he

At

that the rain had

see

which

moon,

look around.

set, illumined

of the broad

but

ceased, and

in the cave,

low down

now

near

it. The

shallow

was

for the
the horizon,

entire interior

niche could

be

noted the Arabs

Stasch distinctly
plainlyseen.
lying together,and close to the largestwall of
the

cave

he

saw

the white

dress of Nell, who

sleepingnext to Dinah.
He
felt exceedinglyanxious about her.
"Sleep, Nell, sleep!" he said to himself.
I can
"But
not
sleep I must, I must save

was

"

her!"

THE

THROUGH

DESERT

107

Then, lookingat the Arabs, he added:

I would

like to

Suddenly

trembled, for his

he

the leather

upon

received

cartridgeslay,
Chamis
hand

to

His
a

near

heart

began

command

he had

gun

alongsideof

it the

him

between

"

and

but to stretch forth

beat and

to

If he could

of the

to

his

would

situation.

like

thump

catch hold

but

he
cartridges

and the

lighted

them.

reach

hammer.

gun

so

that he had

"

eye

containingthe

case

Christmas, and

at

"Ah,

"

of the

doubtless have
this

In

he

case

creep quietlyout of the

tween
niche, secrete himself a short distance away, bethe rocks, and guard the entrance
from

would

have

only

to

and the
the Sudanese
position. "When
Bedouins
awake," thought he, "they will notice
that I have escaped,and all will rush out of
that

the

reach

with

bullets I

two

can

the first two, and before the others

the gun
will be reloaded.
Chamis

down

shoot

then

at once;

cave

me

will be the

left,but I will make

only one

short

of him."

work

Then

he

in blood, and

bathed

the

imagined

dead

four

his heart

was

bodies

filled with

fright.To murder four people ! It

they are villains,but just the same, it is

horror and
is true

terrible!

He

had

seen

killed
and

by

what

remains

remembered

that in Port

fellah,a workman,

the handle
a

amid

of

terrible
a

who

Said he

had

been

machine,
shaft-sinking
impressionthe quivering
a

pool of

blood

had

made

upon

108

THROUGH

him.

The

very
And

shudder.

began

For

thought
he

now

No!

Sin, horror!
He

certainlynot!

of it caused

was

no!

could

not

his

But

it

now

of her defense, her

think of

not

to

to kill four!

struggle with

to

him

about

He

he would

himself

DESERT

THE

was

safety,and

do

it!

thoughts.
doing it
"

of Nell,

case

her life,for she

certainlycould not stand all these hardships

and would
surely die, either during the journey
in the midst of the wild, beastlytribes
or
of

Dervishes.

wretches

it

was

Nell!

the blood

was

of

such

in

comparison with Nell's life,and

For
right to hesitate in such a case?
For

Then

through

Nell!

thought flew like

end.

What

his head
would

What
should

threaten

kill her

and

made

happen

point a

to

surrender

and

knife

flash of

lightning

his hair stand

if

at

of these villains

one

Nell's breast and

if he, Stasch, would

give up

the

on

gun?

not

would

What

happen then?
that case," said the

"In
should

give myself

And

the

at

again threw

up

to

himself, "I

at once."

thought

himself

boy

down

of his

he
helplessness
despairinglyon the

cloth rug.
The

of the

dark

of

rays

cave

inside.

lay quiet for

entered
moonlight now
at such an angle that
The
a

Arabs

the ing
openit became

still snored.

while, then

new

Stasch

thought

dawned

him.
upon
Suppose he should

creep out of the

cave

with

hide himself

the gun,

kill the

not

between

the

rocks, and

only

shoot

People

be

it would

down

shame

animals, but what

the innocent
done?

109

but

men,

It is true

camels ?

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

kill animals

to

rifice
sac-

to be

was

only

not

the

to

save

Now
one
thing
lives,but also for their meat.
ing
to succeed in shootcertain,that if he were
was
possible
be imfour or five camels, it would
down

the

river-banks

buy new
promise,in the

would

that the

do would

the

him

warded,
re-

to

supposing they
these promises,

in the

of their

first onset

they would

However,

be able to

would

until he had
would

keep

put himself

at

had

taken

into

the

or

the head

two

the

them

onty

in his hand
at

to

way

of the

safe

selves
them-

save

he would
and

caravan

and

tance
dis-

They

to.

Then

Yoosuf

time

lead

to the Nile.

from

there

"

days'journey for the Arabs

precautionto travel quite far

interior.

there would

give him

gun

still quite a distance

were
one

be to surrender.

it straight
to the Bahr

They

to

said all he wanted

realize that the

would

have

him, for with

listen to

some

be

be to return.

murdered

and

not

was

did not

Stasch

So

of their fathers,

names

all very well, but

give him time to make

That

wrath

camels.

the

punished,but be
only thing left for them

should

men

of

journey. Not one

visit the villages
on

to

and

he

dare

would

caravan

but

the

continue

to

"

But

that

be several camels

was

no

left,and

matter;
on

one

THE

THROUGH

110

of these Nell

DESERT

ride.

could

Stasch

amine
began to exthe Arabs
all
carefully. They were
sleepingthe sound sleep of utter exhaustion;
be over, they might
but as the night would soon

awaken

It would

necessary.

had

Chamis

Stasch

side.
take

be

not

so

its

should
feared

get the

to

easy

but he decided

case

adjust the

or

was

lay by his side; but it

distance

the other
be

to

not

which

gun,

placed farther away, on

hoped that he would

it away,

from

action

be difficultto take the

not

for it

cartridgecase,
would

Immediate

moment.

at any

able to
it

remove

barrel until he

gun

from

the cave, for he

the
the click of the steel might awaken

get

some

sleepers.
The

had

The

boy crept over

Chamis
and grasping the box by
like a worm,
the handle, picked it up and slowlydrew it over
to his side. Though he clenched his teeth and
moment

tried to

come.

his emotions, his heart

overcome

pulse beat quickly,everythinggrew

his eyes,
in

rapid

and

sweat

stood

creaked

seemed

Chamis

But

him

over

when

in beads

singlesecond
lifted

and

gasps,

closed the box

his breath

and

never

and

came

fore
bewent

straps which
cold drops of
little,
the

his forehead.

on

to

dark

and

him

as

long

moved.

The

placed beside

the

This

as

box

tury.
cenwas

cartridge

case.

Stasch

done.
out

breathed

Now

it

of the cave,

was

run

again.

Half

necessary
a

to

the work
creep

was

quietly

short distance, hide him-

THE

THROUGH

112

DESERT

CHAPTER
at
THEY
Stasch,

set

once

up
tearing the

howl

and

and

gun

fell

on

cartridges
the ground,

his grasp ; they threw him on

bound
his hands and feet with ropes, beat him,
and stamped on him with their feet until Idris,
from

boy would be killed, drove them

Then
they began to speak in broken
away.
have had some
sentences, as people do who
them, from which
great danger hovering over
they have only escapedby chance.
cried Idris,
"That
boy is Satan personified!"
his face pale with frightand excitement.
fearing

would

"He
wild

the

have

shot

added

for dinner!"

geese

sent

him!"

"And

you

wanted

"From

shall

"He

no

him!"

dog!"
said Chamis.

shall touch

one

always

Gebhr.

have

bones

and

him!"

water!"

Allah!"

"Allah!

being able
us!

on

now

to kill

he would

as

for this

"Yes, if it hadn't been

"God

down

us

to

repeated Idris, without

down; "and death hung over

calm

Uf!"

They looked with hatred at Stasch, who lay

also somewhat
before them, but they were
prised
surthat this small boy had so nearlycaused
their defeat

"By

the

and

prophet!" said

"but

we

must

does

not

break

snake

destruction.

! What

take
our

of the Bedouins,

that this

care

necks.

do you

one

We

owe

son

of Eblis
the Mahdi

intend to do with

liim?"

THROUGH
"His

THE

right hand

Gebhr.

The

him

to

search

made

no

113

off!"

reply, but

do

to

cried

it.

It

curred
oc-

that if the

them

of

cut

them

allow

not

be

must

Bedouins

Idris would

DESERT

should

be

expeditionsent out in
find them, they would
severelyif they maimed

punishedmuch more
the boy. And
after all,who could tell whether
ing
the boy would
not die as the result of the beathe had
If so, only Nell
just received?
would
remain
and
to be exchanged for Fatima
her children.
Gebhr

When

threat Idris
him

said.

he

five of the

of

to

by

the wrist and

held

to

him

Gebhr

was

But

once.

so

to

fear

that

much

Meanwhile
for what

will receive ten

the

disgraceif

were

Bedouins

he

lashes

ready to carry out

Idris again pushed

of

one

Christian

night,and

at

be

warriors

off his hand.

cut

attempted he
scourge."

told

his

"It would

Mahdi's

beggarly son
bind

him

grasped

execute

knife

back.

"No!"

had

drew

to

one

they
will

we

has

just

with

the

the threat

at

back

and

administer

the

him

blows, whispering into his ear not to beat him

hard.
formerly
As
he had
too
Chamis, because
served
some

other

the

to

it.

did

reason,

in any
the
way,
face
downward,

about

engineers, or
second

begin when

and

not

want

Bedouin
the

perhaps
to

for

interfere

laid Stasch

just
layed
something unexpected detorture

was

At

her

at

scream

on

the

this.

It

appeared

with her pet, which

and thrown
himself

cave

heard

Arabs

as

and

the

as

if

another, she paid

received

no

see

if he had,

she

was

she

saw

dering
mur-

to

called Stasch
went

out

to

his camel, and

perhaps, mounted

terrified when

Egypt

attention

no

that she

answer

in

they were

she had

only after

was

of the

screams

Bedouins

occasion

every

one

and

into

feet, she had

Arabs, but

Nell

Although busy

rushed

had

of the niche

the entrance

with Saba.

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

114

the first rays of dawn

the ground, and above

by

Stasch

lyingon
him
Bedouin
in
a
standing with the scourge
his hand.
At this sight she began to cry out
with all the power
of her childish lungs and to
Stamp her feet ; but when the Bedouin
paid no
attention
she

to her

rushed

her small
The

forward

Bedouin

in tones

"Saba!
Saba

while

Stasch

and

covered

the first blow,

boy

with

hesitated,for he had

not

been

girl,and

she cried

of terror

the

and

meanwhile

despair:

Saba!"

understood,

reached
back

gave

body.

told to beat the

out

and

the entrance.

bristled,his
from

eyes

his chest

and
The

with
hair

one
on

glared with
and

his

leap

his neck
a

red

he

and

light,

powerful throat
his lipsslowly
Then
came
a thundering roar.
receded, and his teeth, as well as his inch-long
white fangs, stood out, displayinghis bloody
The
enormous
dog now
began to turn
gums.
liishead from rightto left,as if he wanted
to

Sudanese

the

give

of teeth

set

115

his terrible

of

them:

to

say

With

view

good

and

"Look!

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

shall

defend

because

they

these

the

children!"

They desisted at once,

that they owed
their lives
who
one
attempted
any
that

would

moment

to

so

Dinah

and

hand

the

Then

"I

did

clenched

not

at

animal's

order

bo}^

her

teeth, "but

to

to

only

laying

his

assailants:

the

you,"

time

Stasch's

cut

and

arose,

kill

to

had

Nell

long that

mean

if asking

as

now.

head, turned

Saba's

on

Nell

approach
enraged

another,

one

done

hesitated

call old

bonds.

be

to

was

that

lessly
powerless, looking help-

there

inquiringlyat

what

They

the

also

in his throat.

fangs fastened
So they stood
and

to

have

and

Saba

to

knew

he

said

with

the camels."

intended
to
was
pacify
speech, which
and
the more,
them, only terrified them
they
attacked
Stasch
would
again
certainly have
ling
Saba's
had not
flaming eyes and his still bristback.
Gebhr
still wanted
hair kept them
at Stasch, but a deep growl pinned him
to rush
This

to

the
A

spot
short

resounding
"Let

way!"

us

where

he

silence
voice
break

rang

stood.

ensued
out

camp!

"

then

Idris'

far-

Let

us

start

on

our

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

116

XI

CHAPTER

DAY,

night,and

they stillcontinued
south, only restingfor
so

not

as

feed them

to

the
For

fear of

toward
about

tire out

and

time

same

to

day passed,and
gallopingtoward the

another

short

the camels

attend

to

to

as

they did

much,

too

their

at

wants.

own

off

being pursued they turned

the west,

vines,
ra-

water, and

give them

to

in the

time

more

need to worry
time.
The

not

supply of water for some

rain had only lasted seven
hours, but it was
such a heavy storm
that Idris,Gebhr, and the
knew
Bedouins
that enough water
could be
found
for several days to come
in the bed of
the

and

ravines

cavities made

downpour,
fine.

was

air

so

as

The

star-strewn

natural

by the rocks.
is generallythe
heavens

were

transparent that
distance.

immeasurable

in the

shone
a

After

great

the weather

case,

cloudless and
could

During

firmament

myriad jewels,and

one

and

hollows

see

the

the

for

an

night the

with the lustre of

coolness
refreshing

came

the desert sand.

from

The

humps

of

the

had

camels

become

well fed and still

smaller, but the animals were
that
means
"keck," as the Arabs
say, which

they were
the
as

caravan
on

the

Sultani.
Bedouins

not

tired out.

advanced

They

ran

at almost

as

so

fast that

sharp a

pace

elday they departed from Gharak

Stasch was
surprisedto see that the
found provisions
of maize and dates

narrow

they had

before

everything had

been

the Bedouins

that

the

the

to

to

side,

capture

were

el-Sultani, there
in

camels, who

desert

the

these

earn

Stasch

Bedouins

two

were

with

to Medinet

went

railway station trying to

But

tween
be-

was

wished

who

camping

their children and

or

that

easy to
partisansof and

were

Gharak

Bedouins

many

one

been

readilydrawn into a
of
In the vicinity
Sudanese.

they

conspiracyby
Fayoum, near

on

It

the other.

on

that these men

guess
believers in the Mahdi,

him, and

Gebhr

Idris, and

Fatima,
and

preparationshad
been kidnapped and
planned beforehand

that certain

to think

made

117

the clefts of
passes among
protectedfrom the rain. That led

in the many
the rocks
him

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

thing.
some-

had

before; they could not have come

Medinet, because it seemed they did not
seen

never

from

Saba.

know

It also occurred

might

be well

to

to the

try

that

boy

to bribe

perhaps

it

them, but when

their enthusiastic cries each time

he remembered
the Mahdi's

name

was

mentioned

he knew

that

impossible. The boy did not,

however, submit passivelyto all this,for his
this would

heart

be

full of wonderful

was

only been

stimulated

suffered.
he

by
"Everything

said to

that had
energy
the misfortunes
he had

himself, "has

beaten

black

beaten

every

should

not

and

day
cease

blue.

have
ended

But

undertaken,"
in

even

my

if I

being
were

with the scourge,

killed,I
or
tryingto devise for Nell and

THROUGH

118

myself

THE

DESERT

of escape
from the hands
If the partiesseaching for

means

these villains.

of
us

get hold of them, all the better ; but I shall act

if I did not expect them
to come
at all."
as
when

Then

him, how

these

had

thought what

he

and

treacherous

happened

cruel

to

had

men

had beaten him with their

his gun
away,
fists,and stamped upon him with their feet,he
taken

became

He

furiouslyangry.

not

only felt that

conquered,but, proud as he was of being

white man,
he felt especially
humiliated
a
by
Above
all,he felt the
being subjectto them.
done to Nell, and this,togetherwith the
wrong
exasperationthat had taken deep root in his
he

was

heart

since

heartilyhate
hatred.

his

last

the

Sudanese

made

misfortune,
with

It is true, he had

an

him

able
irreconcil-

often heard

his

father say that hatred blinds one, and that only

those who are unable to rise above it give way
to it,but for the present he could not suppress
it or

even

He

hide it.

could not

by Idris, who
he

even

reallybegan

realized that in

overtake

them

prevent its being noticed

the

case

he could

no

to feel uneasy,

for

were

to

pursuers

longer count

on

the

Idris was
always
boy's intercedingfor him.
ready to undertake the most daring deeds, but,
he said to himself
being a very sensible man,
that one
must
everythingin case of
anticipate
defeat; in fact, always have a little side-door
open

for escape.

he

Therefore

wished

to

after the last

get back

currence
oc-

little into

THE

THROUGH

120

her

thank

for

DESERT

assistance.

her

deeply grateful,he
expressing his respect
he simply began to
so

he

But
was

although
incapable

and

affection,

was

of

and

shake

her

little

hands.

*'Nell," he said, "you are very good, and I

and
tell you
that
thank you;
besides,let me
like

acted

you

thirteen years

person

old

at

least."
words

Such

praise,and the

joy

and

her

that there

to

Stasch's

the highlipswere
est
heart burned with
littlegirl's

from

this moment

At

pride.

it seemed

nothing too great

was

to

her

for

attempt.
**When

am

they will
aggressivelook in

grown

castingan
replied,

up

see!" she
the direction

of the Sudanese.
did

she

As

just

yet know

not

what

had

had
why the Arabs
boy began to relate how

reallyhappened, and
Stasch, the
had

made

his mind

up

force

them

river.

"If
have

the

succeeded," he said,"we

this had

been

free

"Did

they

beating

heart.

"They did
doing; he came
bark enough
Then

she

"Horrid

by

wake

up?"

asked

up! That
running along

was

Saba!

with

should

this time."
the

wake

to

he

kill the

their captors to return

camels, and
to

to steal the gun,

tacked
at-

awaken
angry

For

was

and

girl with
Saba's

began

to

the dead."

with

Saba.

doing

that I shall not

THROUGH
word

say

"How
the

at

smiled

Nell

can

you

time

same

elevated

"He

will

But

"Maybe.
he did not

asked:

not

speak a

tell him

he

Nell's

but

anger,

the evil-doer at

is bad?"

he

her

noyance,
an-

to

assistance."

our

of this somewhat
she

and

to him

blame, because
going on ; remember,

was

remembrance

The

laughing

word

that

not

was

to

came

in

eyebrows to show
:
shy voice replied
by my face."

what

know

too, that he

and

that

see

running up

comes

not

was

her

with

and

121

that he is bad!"

justtell him
Although Stasch
he

he

when

to him

I shall

mood,

DESERT

THE

did

not

wish

to

cooled

forgive

once.

"Very well," she said; "but a real gentleman

ought not to bark when greetingyou."
Stasch smiled again.
"A real gentleman does not bark when greeting
when
or
saying good-by, unless he be
you
a
dog, and Saba is a dog."
in the boy's
Soon afterward
a sad look
came
eyes; he sighedagain and again,and then got
the stone on which
sitting
they were
up from
and

said:

"The

is that I

worst

Nell stood

on

around

his neck.

wanted

to

with
could

her
not

clung more

can

free

not

tip-toeand put
She

murmur

little face

wanted

her
on

thanks

her little arms

to

console him,
close to

his cheek; but

appropriatewords,
lovinglyto his neck and

find

you."

she

as

him,
she

merely

kissed him

THE

THROUGH

122
on

his

so

much

Saba, who

ear.

the camels

rocks

noise

much

As

usual.

as

up
soon

the
the
as

the children

as

standing
they forgot everything,and notwiththeir sorry plight,
ing
they began caress-

him

saw

running

seen

was

"

with

jackalson
crouchingon
and making

at the hawks

barked

and

way

not

"

he chased

because

as

always late
not
keep step

was

could

he

because

DESERT

plajang with him as usual, until

Chamis
the Arabs
stopped them.
gave the dog
food and water, and then they all remounted
and
departed in great haste, going farther
and

him

toward

the south.

This
at

the

was

longest ride they had

stretch, eighteen hours

one

with

taken

but

one

who
have
a
Only riding-camels,
considerable supply of water
in their stomachs,
stand such a journey. Idris did not spare
can

short

halt.

them,

for

his heels.

surelyat
have

feared

he

the

that
He

were
pursuers
realized that they must

started

long ago, and

the two
at
engineerswere
expeditionsand would waste
threatened

them

quite certain
the Nile

would

the

head

no

time.

the sheiks

form

on

that

the

offered

going

these

Danger

both

banks

scoutingpartiesto

the interior of the desert, and

all travelers

of

the river-side,for it was

from

that

conjectured that

south.

government

and

would

Chamis
the

go

of

into

hold back
felt certain

engineers had

their capture, and

that consequentlythe desert was
probablyfilled
with

great reward

searchers.

The

for

only

way

to avoid

these

would
the west

was

from

after

give out

as

and

they

die
visions.
pro-

weeks

that in the two

It is true

would

questionof

also the

was

would

the river the water

days

few

There

of thirst.

far west

as

far away

too

go

123

possible;but to
lay the great oasis of Chargeh, where
thej^to
a
telegraph. Besides, were

be to go

there

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

ceding
pre-

kidnapping of the children the

back,
of maize, zwiehad hidden provisions
Bedouins
and dates in secret places known
only
four
to themselves, but these secret placeswere
Idris was
terrordays' journey from Medinet.
the food
stricken at the thought that when
the

gave

out

of them

some

the river-banks

villageson
and

that,

the

rewards

account

on

to

the

buy provisions,

to

of the

to go

and

strict watch

by the villagesheiks for

these might easily
fugitives,
of the villagersand betray

offered

the capture of the

fall into the hands
the whole

have

would

The

caravan.

situation

desperate,and
day what a wild

almost
difficult,

clearlyevery

indeed

was

Idris

saw

scheme

more

he had

undertaken.

*'If we

himself, his
did

not

Mahdi's
as

than

for

all of
the

savage

Chamis,

who

declared

already advanced
Stasch disputed this,and

warriors

had

the

as

far

Idris

that the white

boj^knew more
them.
However, he supposed that
first cataract, where the people were

long noticed

beyond
more

believe

Assuan,

had

only passed Assuan," said he to

heart full of fear and despair. He

had

and less under

the influences of the

THE

THROUGH

124

Englishpeopleand

DESERT

Egyptian Government,
secret believers in the prophet were
to be
more
would
found, who if necessary
help them and
and camels.
But
supply them with provisions
the Bedouins
had calculated that they were
still
about five days' journey from Assuan.
desolate
led through still more
The
way
country, and at every halt the provisionsfor
and

man

beast

the

sank

lower.

Fortunately,they could drive the camels

and

make

for

the

them
heat

gallopas

had

not

fast

as

exhausted

on,

they pleased,
the animals'

daytime, during the noon

beat down
them,
hours, the sun
fiercely
upon
but the air was
always fresh and the nights so
Idris' permission,
cool
that
Stasch, with
strength.

mounted

In

the

Nell's camel

and to protect her from

to look

after her health

the cold.

his fears

But

groundless,for Dinah, whose eyes had

greatlyimproved, looked carefullyafter her
little lady.
The
surprisedthat the little one's
boy was
were

health had not

journey as well
were
becoming
and

suffered, and that she stood the

as

less and

fear,and the
for

when
he, especially

tears

had

less
which

the halts

frequent.

Sorrow

she had shed

ing
long-

apparently not done her

She had perhaps become
much
harm.
little
a
tanned by the wind,
thin, and her pale face was
but as time went
she stood
the journey
on
better than in the beginning. Idris had given
her the best camel, and had arranged the saddle
papa,

THROUGH

125

that she could

comfortablyso

very

DESERT

THE

sleep,but

breathed
especially,
night and day, that gave her the strength to
bear the fatigueand discomfort of the journey.
tentional
Stasch not only protectedher, but he inthe fresh desert air

it was

depth

of

which

with

her

treated

did

he

his unusual

not

the

reverence

standing
realize,notwithfor the little

attachment

also

caught
that
it unconsciously
this attitude, and
strengthenedtheir conviction that they were
cious,
carrying along something exceedingly prewhom
an
important prisoner,
especially
they had to treat most carefully.Idris had
them
accustomed
to this before leavingMedinet, and so they all behaved well toward her.
They gave her plentyof water and dates. The
dared not raise his hand against
cruel Gebhr
her again. Perhaps the unusual beauty of the
girl,and the fact that she looked somewhat
He

one.

like

flower

or

Arabs

with

uncultivated

the

the red

of Jericho

could

the

moon,

not

stood

she

roses,

the flames

lightfrom

silvery
lightfrom
the Bedouins

Sometimes,

when
halting-places,

the fire made

of the

hearts

could not resist her charm.

also, at
around

littlebird, had its effect,for

and

the savage

even

that the Arabs

noticed

colored
and

the Sudanese

take their eyes

the

and

oif her,

but

murmured,
according to their custom,
smacking their lipsas a sign of admiration:
"Allah!

Maschallah!

At

the second

noon

Bismillahl"

day, after travelingthat

THE

THROUGH

126

DESERT

long stretch,Stasch and Nell,

camel, had a
ridingon the same
joy. Immediately after

now

were

of intense

moment

sunrise

transparent mist, which, however,

and

disappeared,hovered
the

when

stood

camels

there

moment

so
stirring,
sand, appeared to

the

as

stillfor

of wind

breath

well

the

on

silence.

light,and

soon

desert.

the

over

clear

But

higher the heat became

the
previousdays. When

rose

sun

greater than
a

who

The

that

the

slumber

not

was

air, as
in heat,

had

just
reached a large level plain,unbroken
vines,
by rawhen
suddenly a wonderful
sightpresented
itself before the children.
Groups of
slim palms and pepper-trees,orange
tions,
plantawhite

houses,

towering minaret

that it seemed

would

be

under

so
as

the trees

with

mosque

walls, surrounded

broad

by gardens,appeared
to them

small

and

caravan

plainlyand
though the
of

so

close

caravan

oasis in half

an

hour.

an

"What

is that?" cried Stasch.

"Nell!

Nell!

Look!"

Nell raised up she was

with
struck dumb
but soon
after she cried out with joy:
surprise,
As

"Medinet!

To

But

became

Stasch

"In fact
must

even

And
seen

papa!

To

papa!"

pale with emotion.

be Chargeh. But no!

that may
be Medinet.
I remember
see

in

"

the windmill

realityin

on

and

the well."

the distance

the tall windmills

the minaret

It

were

of American

distinctly
wells, re-

THE

THROUGH

128

looked

anxiety. Stasch

or

DESERT

this indifference

it was

it again,and

at

on

haps
per-

the part of the

the

made

to
picture appear
also thought that if they
He
fade before him.
the people,beingfrightwere
ened,
reallyreturning,
would
have kept closer together. The
Bedouins, who by Idris' orders had for several
days ridden on in advance, could no longerbe
and Chamis, who
brought up the rear,
seen,
looked in the distance no largerthan a hawk
flyingalong the ground.
"The mirage!" said Stasch to himself.
Idris approached and cried out
Meanwhile

which

Arabs

to him:

Drive

"Hob!

the camel

Don't

on!

see

you

Medinet?"

appeared to

He
a

be

jestingand spoke in

such

that the very faintest shadow

fore
that this might be Medinet
lying be-

scornful tone

of

hope
him

vanished

boy'sheart.
Sadly he turned to Nell to dispelher illusion
when
something suddenly happened which
turned
At

few

he reached

hasty words
toward

with

direction.

a
one

Idris he

galloping

stillat

tance
dis-

long Arabian
in the

van.
cara-

exchanged

him; then the

caravan

the interior of the desert. After

while the second

fat camel

came

while

with
gesticulate
that did not belong to any

turned

them, and

to

When

of the Bedouins

first one

began

gun

the

the attention of all in another

fast toward

up

from

with

Bedouin
a

saddle

appeared,leading
its hump and
on

approached

"Idris
you
all

see

Medinet?'

hope

vanished

and

He
from

cried

out

him.

to

'Don't
.

spoke
the

in such

scornful

boy's heart."

"

Page

tone

that

128.

THE

THROUGH
leather

could

Stasch

rode

catch

not

full of broken
was

129

his flanks.

took

word

quicklywithout
only halted when

west, and
these

from

conversation

short

ravine

down

bags hanging

Again

DESERT

place,but

of it. The

stop toward

it reached

rocks

van
cara-

and

narrow

One

caves.

spaciousthat the Sudanese

so

the

of

were

able to

place all the people and camels in it.

had
what
Although Stasch thought he knew
happened, he lay down next to Idris and pretended
to go to sleep,
hoping that the Arabs,
had scarcelyspoken a word
who
about their
adventure
until now,
would
soon
begin to talk
about it. His hopes were
well founded, for
soon
after,havingscattered food for the camels,
the Bedouins

now

"In

said.

consult with

the Sudanese

only by night

daytime,"the one-eyedBedouin

future

and

ride

must

we

on

hide in the

and

to

Chamis.

and
"From

down

sat

we

in these

will
we

come

across

conceal

can

vines,
ra-

many

ourselves

securely."
"Are

you

that it was

sure

guard?"

asked

Idris.
! We

"Allah

he

he
He

that

so

heard
we

alone.

was

rock

spoke to him.

was

pointhis

concealed

not

voice from

was

see
a

good that
behind

him, but

distance.

a
we

Then

pace and rode so softlythat

a few
only when we were
steps off.

slackened
us

could

we

the camel's

saw

stood

He

It

very
gun

our

much
at

us.

frightened,and
If he had

tried

fired,even

to

if he

THE

THROUGH

130

of us, the other

shot, and so I

had not killed one

heard

have

the

are

have carried off two

white

will be

company

here.'

and

Mahdi

The

was
us

that

dismounted

We

all

soon

believed

the Koran

by

swore.

him

to

fellow

The

he

so

though he made us swear

were
tellingthe truth.
the camels

said

children,and

stupid,and

and

young

guards would

pursuing people who

quickly:'Stop! We
our

DESERT

will

"

we

from

forgive

us."

"And

bless

you," said

"When

had

we

Bedouin, "I said

can

to

prove

what

us

and

pursuers?'

to the young

who

are

left you
I bade him to

all the

us

along

whether

the thieves

desert.

He

that

they

belong
white

the

up

We

he

come

wire, and

being pursued in

and
repliedin the affirmative,
had

the

began

orders had

the copper

were

who

too, which

more.

questionhim, asking what

the sheiks

not

here to hold
swear,

the

'But

man:

yourselfdo
fleeingwith

have

did, and he believed

from

continued

sworn,"

that you

us

the thieves

children

to

"Tell

did."

you

to

Idris.

the
said

been

promised great rewards;

also that all ravines at a distance of two days'
journey from the river were guarded,and that
there were
largebaburis (steamers)filledwith
Englishmen and soldiers continuallypassing
up

and

down

"Neither

againstthe
"It is

as

the river."

shipsnor
power
you

soldiers

of Allah

say!"

are

and the

of any

avail

prophet."

"And

tell

now

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

how

us

131

made

you

with

way

that fellow?"

"Abu

there

Anga,"

were

knife

to

the

the latter
into

him

with

up

villagethey

the Mahdi,

that

so

threw

covered him

and
In

the

sound. We

him

guards nearby,and on
negative,he suddenlydrove

into his throat,

uttered

panion.
com-

other

no

replyingin

asked

said, "then

he

his

pointedto

one-eyed Bedouin

The

happened."
"May God bless

that

us

his

never

thorns.

that he has fled

will think

for he told

his

low
deep hol-

and

stones

if

such

things

have

those who

we

have

has

Idris.

blessed us," answered

"Yes,

he

flee,as

been blessed!" answered

Abu

Anga. "For now we know we must keep three

days'journey away from the river,and besides
that we have captureda gun, which we
needed,
and also
"The

camel

to milk."

bags," added

filled with

water, and

millet in the saddle

much

which

has

belong to

don't know

how

and

same

Still Idris

there is

bags, but

fair amount

of

did not

find

we

on
one

had

several

hundred

this white

shoot.

to

became
a

cartridges,

boy'sgun,
But

it will also do for

these words, and

as

"are

one-eyed man,

powder."

"Chamis

the

the

the
our

which

powder
gun."

thoughtfulas

very

troubled

we

look

he
was

is

heard
printed
im-

face, for he realized that

Stasch's
alreadybeen killed,even

his dark

THROUGH

132

THE

intervention could

punished,in

DESERT

protect them

not

from

being

fall into the

they should now
hands of the Egyptian Government.
Stasch
listened
attentively with beating
This
like good
heart.
conversation
seemed
to him, and he was
news
especially
glad to hear
that partieshad been sent out to hunt for them,
case

that rewards

had

sheiks

tribes

of the

been

along the banks

orders to hold
The

south.

boy

hearing

about

did not

doubt

offered, and

up

all

also

was

that the
had

ceived
re-

traveling
greatlypleasedon
caravans

ships which steamed

up
with the English soldiers.
The
vishes
Derstream
of the Mahdi
could fightwell with the
Egyptian army, and even defeat them, but with
the English it was
quitedifferent,and Stasch
the

minute

that

the first battle

end in the savage tribes beingcompletely

Thus
he consoled himself with the
defeated.

would

thought

that

Mahdi, there

if

even
was

got there the Mahdi

wiped

But

out.

taken
to the
they were
that before they
possibility
the Dervishes
or
might be

he did not

feel

so

much

forted
com-

thought that in this case a journey

of a whole week stilllay before them, which
would at least exhaust Nell's strength,
and that
pany
during all that time they would be in the comwhen

he

of these villains and

When
whom

Stasch

the

sheep,he
He

thought

Bedouins
felt very

decided

not

to

had
much
say

murderers.
of the young

Arab

slaughteredlike a
frightenedand sad.
anything about it to

and

breast

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

134

completely

thus

moistened

his

clothes.
He

began

now

"Nell, do
that

they

from

some

guards.

These

wretches

Nell,

Fear

too.

He

if

have
a

of the

center

had

consoled

Stasch

blown

and

that

Of

on

course,

steamer,

stilllonger in

her

This

sound

the thin metallic music

Soon

sad, could

directions at

ers
steam-

ravine, had

into the

interruptedthe

to listen.

Several

be heard
An

of the
cane
hurri-

not

tracted
at-

somewhat

of

whistle.

and

conversation

began

similar sounds, thin

afterward

once.

prising
sur-

time

next

peculiarsound ringingout
flyingsand, which the last

his attention.
resembled

the

in

"

nothing!

would

this way

succeeded

home, and

shall return

we

that

is full of

the Nile!

on

see

away

what

desert

guard this time, but

be caught themselves.

keeping watch

are

have

you

camel

know

you

that the

means

Did

and

gun

Do

Arab?

fomitain!

taken

have

It

they will

be

not

means?

console her

to

coming

from

idea occurred

various

to the

boy

guards had surrounded

the ravine and were
other
making signalsto one anof whistles. His heart began to
by means
beat. He repeatedly
looked at the Sudanese, in
the hope of seeing fear on their faces, but in
vain.

perhaps Arabian

Idris, Gebhr,

and

the

Chamis
calmlychewed zwieback.
who
and
one
appeared surprised,
continued.

After

while

Bedouins

two
was

the

the

only

sounds

Idris got up

and

THE

THROUGH
looked

of

out

sand

Stasch
he

beginning

is

was

curious

so

again,and

asked

sand?

"It often
will be

no

happens; and

shall ride

rain for

listened for

say

continued

on

no

long time.

the

But

reach Assuan

we

peculiarsounds,
down

went

sun

on
night came
its journey.

the

and Nell

Stasch

more.

CHAPTER

TOURING

that there

means

time to these

some

Then

west.

it

for until

us,

lasted until the

which

Idris

to

only by night."

he would

And

speak

does that mean?"

What

more

for the moment

to

not

said:

heat will not harm

we

returned,

sing."

to

that

forgot his resolution

"The

he

then

cave;

135

front of the children, and

stopped in
"The

the

DESERT

and

the

in the
caravan

XII

day they secreted

themselves

in

^-^

placesdifficultof access, in the midst of

cliffsand rocks, and during the night they hurried
without stopping,until they had passed
on
the first cataract, when
from

that Assuan

the
now

at

last the Bedouins

ognized,
rec-

positionand shape of the khor,

lay behind them. With this

heavy weight fell from Idris' shoulders. As

now
sufferingfor lack of water, they
they were
approached to within half a day'sjourney of
a

the river.
for the

with

After

Idris had

followingnight,he

the

Bedouins

to

secreted
sent

the

caravan

all the camels

the Nile,

so

that

they

THE

THROUGH

136

could drink

enough to
fertile zone
along the
after leavingAssuan.
reaches

DESERT

last for

time.

some

Nile becomes
In

to the river.

narrower

ert
placesthe desare
some
villages

some

The

distance apart,and thus the Bedouins

to

The

able

were

safely,
having been perceivedby no
and with a plentiful
supply of water. Now
how
to obtain food, for
only questionwas

return

one,

the

had

their animals

that

week
necks

had

they had

so

little to eat

become

their feet weak.

maize

The

party could

Their

thin.

very

long,their humps

were

this last

in, and

sunken

and

other food

for

stretch last

only two days

longer. But Idris was of the opinion that at
the end of two days'journey,though traveling
onlyby night,they might approach the pastures
the

the river,and

near

zwieback

and

Saba
or

at

in

received

perhapsbe able to buy dates

some
village.
to eat
absolutely
nothingmore
saved

drink; the children

him, but he knew

some

with
neck

way,
a

and

sand-foxes

chest.

as

he

Whether

did

Sometimes

if he had

that he had
of the ravines and
water

and

scraps

for

help himself out in

at the halting-placesf
traces

of bites

on

his

spoilsof these
jackalsor hyenas, or perhaps even
and gazels,no
ever
one
knew; it

sufficed that

hungry.

to

for he arrived

bloody throat

fightswere

wet,

how

some

that he had

not

the

also his black

drunk.

The

scented

manner

very

lipswere

Bedouins

dug deep holes

in this

be

to

appear

in the

had

posed
sup-

ground
reached

through the ground.

THROUGH

Sometimes

THE

DESERT

137

lost travelers

dig up the broken

earth,and if they do not alwaysfind water, they
wet
sand, and by
nearly always come
upon
sucking the water out of it quench their painful
thirst.
But

great change had also

chest and

His

flanks

in, which

bloodshot

His

threateninglook.
was

devoted

as

they

liked

Chamis

and

and

ever,

him; he

his teeth

Gebhr

they hated

him

specimen

of

to

that

so

with

if the desire of

held them

Assuan

thought

Wadi

afraid

of this, and
was

so-called

it

Thus
of him,

ably
prob-

they had

captured
such a

the fact that

behind

them, had

! Stasch

continually

slowly dawned

upon

great doubt of the searchers

It is true, he knew

Egypt

"

which

that not

ends

below

of the
Haifa, that is,in the vicinity
but also the whole of Nubia,
cataract

this time in the hands

and

side

fangs,

would

they

animal, and

an

and

nails.

"

at

what

back.

overtaking them.
the

be

of

he

his tail at

bringing Smain

lay behind them

him that there

only

do

his terrible

the gun

they had alreadyleft Assuan

not

Stasch

let them

like iron

began

have shot him

rare

and

wagged

he barked, showed

and

savage

and then, but at the Bedouins

ground

Idris
and

with

now

Sudanese

as

look

and

Nell

to

his

him

made

had

eyes

But

Saba.

over

still strong, but

were

sunken

were

taller.

neck

come

of the

and

was

ernment,
Egyptian Gov-

he also realized that

Assuan,

ond
sec-

on

the other

below
especially

Wadi

THE

THROUGH

138

DESERT

difficultto search for

Haifa, it would be more
them, and the orders of the government would
be less promptly executed.
However, he still

hope that his father and Mr. Rawlison,after having organizedthe search, would
from
Fayoum to Wadi
go alone by steamer
Haifa, and from there, after having obtained

cherished

from

the

the

camels, would
from

the

try to bar the

he would

that

and

do

for his
did not

to

The

; so

and

to

and
trust

was

tear

open

caravan

situated,

so

good

ing
attempt-

wanted

powder
to

number

dation
foun-

of

captured,and

of them

one

cartridgewould
Idris,who

Sudanese

he told them

that if

were

on

calculated

boy

that he had

they had

they decided

The

supposition.
give up the thought

escape.

for the gun

of the

way

this if he

he considered

so

He

side.

southern

mounted

soldiers

government

get it

of

only could
clumsilyat

tridges
car-

that he

do it,

went

it the

explode and
usuallyafraid

tear

oif his hand.

of strange

things

English discoveries,in the end decided

this work

do it,because

powder

would

he

the

boy.
hoped that

to

Stasch
the

glad to
strong English
was

burst the old Arabian

first shot,and he also

hoped to

to

gun

at the

be able to secrete

few

cartridges.He found this easier than he

thought. He was watched while he did it,but
the Arabs began to talk among
themselves, and
attention to their
soon
they were
paying more
a

conversation

than

to

him.

This

and inborn carelessness at last

talkativeness

permittedStasch

hide

to

139

cartridgesin his breast pocket.

only a case of gainingpossession

seven

it

Now

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

was

of the rifle.

boy beheved that this would not be very

difficultbeyond Wadi
Haifa, after the second
The

supposed that

cataract, for he
of the Arabs

would

the Sudanese, and

him
the

with

terror, but

Bedouins

had

scruples.Pie

proportionas

in

slacken

they approached their

thought that he would have

the watchfulness

The

destination.

ins,
kill the Bedou-

to

Chamis

even

after

had

he

said to himself

which

murder

the

committed

stillfilled

no

more

after all it

that

of Nell's defense, of her freedom,

matter

was

and

of her life,that therefore

he

ought not to
if they
spare the lives of their enemies, especially
would
not surrender and a fightshould result.
how to obtain the gun.
The questionwas
now
decided

Stasch
a

suitable

reached

to take it by

opportunity
"

Haifa, but

Wadi

strategy if he found
to

not

wait

till

they

his intention

to execute

possible.And he did not wait.

Two
days had now elapsed since they passed
Assuan, and at last,at daybreak of the third
day, Idris was
obligedto send the Bedouins
as

soon

as

for food, which

when

was

he considered

now

very

that he

now

said to himself, "Now

immediate^
question:
"Idris, do
at

Wadi

turned

you

know

Haifa

to

the

Stasch,

scarce.

had
or

fewer

never!"

Sudanese

with

that the country

is Nubia?"

ponents,
op-

and
the

ning
begin-

THE

THROUGH

140

it. I

"I know

DESERT
Gebhr

fifteen and

was

fathers brought
our
years old when
the south to Fayoum, and I remember

that time

that at

Nubia

on

(Egyptians).

Turks

is

"Yes, the Mahdi

Khartum

only at

^you

"

talked when

stupidlyChamis

how

see

through

from

us

stillbelongs to the

this country

But

camels.

all

traveled

we

eight

he

told

extended as
of the Dervishes
that the army
But
I should Mke to ask you
far as Assuan.
another question. I have read in books that in

you

Nubia
who

there
are

are

good

no

Egyptians
the Mahdi.

How

if wild animals
Stasch

to any

well

as

wild animals

many

or

as

and

one

and thieves,

who

attack

the faithful followers of

will you defend yourselves

thieves attack you?"

purposely exaggerated when

of wild

the

animals, but,

ing
speak-

the other

on

hand,

bers
beginningof the war attacks by robin
had become
quite frequent,especially
southern parts of the country borderingon

since the

the

Sudan.
Idris considered
was

not

the

questiona while, for

prepared to answer
previouslythought of

it because

not

these

he

he had

dangers;

new

then he said:
"We
"A

have knives and

gun

"I know
understand

like yours
it. Yours

it,and

we

is of

gun."
no

is better,but

shall not

hands."
"Even

if it is not

use."

loaded?"

we

do not

giveit into

your

THE

THROUGH

142

barrel, then

Stasch

took

the

handed

them

to Idris.

"You

outstretched,

trembling hands

With

camels.

DESERT

the

butt, and

that it is empty," he said.

see

looked

and

the barrel

Idris took

through

it

into the air.

"Yes, there is nothing in it."

"Now
attention," said Stasch; "this is
pay
the gun is put together" and at the
the way
gether
time he put the butt and the barrel tosame
"

you

see?

you

may

The

it is opened. Do
this is the way
I shall now
take it apart, and then

"and

"

put it togetheragain."
Sudanese, who followed Stasch's

very

did

he

Arabs

tried
attentively,
find it very

not
are

the

to do

This

teach
The

done

how

Arabs

and

so

and

the lesson

The

the

was

trouble.

stillmore

easily.
empty cartridges.I

two

had

the empty

kept
two

will

in."

put them

to

Idris handed

cartridges,

of them

to

Stasch,

began again.

Sudanese

the noise which

he

any

it."

give me
you

the

as

terity,
generallynoted for their great dexwas
put together after a while.
gun

was

"Now

likewise,but

however,

easy;

"Open it,"said Stasch.

Idris opened the gun without
"Close

ments
move-

at

the

convinced

frightenedat

made,
cartridges
that

empty barrel of
Besides

first became

his

one

gun

can
or

not

with

confidence

but at last
shoot

empty
in

with
ridges.
cart-

Stasch

THROUGH
also

THE

returned,

hold

to

weapon

because

DESERT

the

in

boy

143

hands

his

him

gave

the
few

every

seconds.
gether,
"So," said Stasch, "you can put the gun toyou can
open, shut, point,and pullthe

trigger,but
aim, and

also learn

must

you

that is the most

how

to

take

difficultof all. Take

empty water-bag and set it down a hundred

there, on one of those stones, and
paces away
an

"

then

back

come

to

I will show

me.

how

you

to

take aim."
Idris did not

hesitate,but took

leather

bag

and

started to set it up on the designatedstone.

Before
he had
the first hundred
gone
paces
Stasch had

replaced

drawn

them

heart and
that he

with

charged

temples began

thought his
had

moment

for

Nell

head

and

on

Nell

For

split.The

the traitor
But

Polish

and

felt that

nothing in the
whose

cisive
de-

of freedom

the terrible and

"

in his hands.

was

violently

victory!

fall dead.

one

so

the moment

flowed

to shoot

Stasch's

ones.

throb

to

himself

triggerand

would

veins

him

Idris' life

the

"

of

cartridgesand

would

come

longed-formoment
Now

the empty

out

who

pull

carried

off

Stasch, in whose

French

back

One

denly
blood, sud-

world

could

was

toward

tempt
him.

ought he not at least have the privilegeof

turning around and looking death in the face?
And
what would
Then
Gebhr
happen then?
would
come
running up, and before he had
taken ten steps he, too, would
lie writhing in

the

THE

THROUGH

144

sand.

Stasch

bodies

three

returned

and

meet

their deserts.

done

would

be to

the

even

if he

did

time to reload

have

the Bedouins

When
the

would

but

Chamis,

was

lose his head, and

latter would
not

there

Then

DESERT

they
All

they

the gun.
would
find

would

themselves

that remained

guide the

camels

to

toward

be

the

river.

These
like

thoughts raced through Stasch's head

whirlwind.

committed

in

but at the

victorybattled
horror and

seconds
most

in his breast

remembered

hesitated

suffered ; and at
of Mr. Rawlison, of
had

beaten
more

It must

only a

the tortures

had

Pride

with

means

that

to

be

terrible,

most

was

necessary.

distaste of the
He

mastery.

few
time

same

felt that the deed

He

of

feelingsof

necessary

when

moment

for
he

white

prisoners
the thought of his father,
Nell, and of Gebhr, who

came
girl with the scourge, he bebe!
bitter against them.
"It must
be!" he cried through his clenched

teeth, and

the

his unalterable

his face, which

was

resolution
set

now

as

showed

if carved

out

in
of

flint.
Meanwhile
down

on

around.

Idris had
stone

hundred

the

leather

feet off and

bag

turned

smilingface and tall

figure on the flat,sandy plain. For the last
time the thought flashed through his mind that
would
this man,
now
living,
shortlyfall to earth
and grovelin the sand in his death agony.
But
the boy hesitated no
longer, and when Idris
Stasch

saw

his

laid

THE

THROUGH
feet
fifty

was

he

nearer

DESERT

145

slowlylifted the

weapon

to his cheek.

the

on

of

the

and

away,

twenty riders
on

the

on

plain.

sight; Stasch

them, for whom

captured
where

have

the
had

in

hundred
about

moment

appeared

camels
dumb

struck

was

no

at

the

less

Doubtless

be!

and

several

in the

but his surprise

surprised,
changed to the greatest joy. At
be the people sent in search of
they had waited so long! Yes,

last these must

it must

same

horses

Idris

was

soon

was

the

heard

was

sand-dunes
at

place his finger

to

trigger a loud voice

direction
feet

time

he had

before

But

the

caravan

the

same

the Bedouins

village,and
was

had

hidden.

had

been

confessed
Idris

must

idea, for after recovering

running up to
frighthe came
Stasch, his face pale with terror, and kneeling
at his feet,repeatedin a gasping voice :
that I have been good to
"Sir, remember
you! I have been good to the littleBiut."
out
Stasch mechanically took the cartridges
of the gun
and gazed at the riders,who
loped
galas
quickly as their animals
up to them
could carry them, and with cries of joy tossed
in the air and caught
their long Arabian
guns
the
them
again most
dexterously while
still galloping. In the clear,
animals
were
seen.
transparent lightthey could be distinctly
At their head gallopedtwo Bedouins, who were
most
gesticulating
violentlywith their hands
from

and

his first

burnooses.

THE

THROUGH

146

In

DESERT

the whole

few minutes

reached
company
the caravan.
off
Several of the riders sprang
the horses and camels ; others remained
in their
a

saddles

be understood

could

Gordon!
One

But

all that

words:

tum!
"Khar-

continuallyshouting.
two

were

Gordon!

Khartum!"

Bedouins, whom

of the

his

companion

Anga, at last rushed up to Idris,

crouching at Stasch's feet,and cried:

called Abu
who

was

has fallen!

"Khartum
Mahdi

is

is dead!

The

triumphant!"

Idris stood
"And

Gordon

up,

these

but did not

people?"

he

believe his

ears.

asked, his

lips

trembling.
"These people were
supposed to capture us,
but now
to
us
they are going to accompany
the prophet."
Everything grew dark before Stasch's eyes.

CHAPTER

npHE

last

would

reach

XIII

of

escapingduring the jour-""

had
entirelydisappeared. Stasch
ney
knew that nothing he could think of would now
be of any avail; he realized that the searching
partieswould not overtake them, and that if
they survived the fatigue of the journey,they
Smain.

hope

His

they were

and

be surrendered

only comfortingthought

being carried

them
that take

the Mahdi

off for

for his children.

place,and

what

But

would

Smain
when

to

that

was

to

change
ex-

would

they have

to

THROUGH

THE

endure

beforehand?

awaited

them

the

stand

tell. On

and

there

the

fear

the

and

that

tians
Chris-

hated

boy'sheart

in the

ence
influ-

Smain's

whether

to

as

so

could

one

be

powerful enough to protect

against defamation, mistreatment,

cruelty,and
to

be able to

certain

was

Dervishes

his

Europeans

would

murdered

hand, it

other

and

arose

them

Nell would

Whether

fate

bloodthirsty,

fatigueand privationsno

Mahdi

the

of

midst

147

terrible

What

in the

tribe?

savage

DESERT

the

of

rage

the

Mohammedans

even

For

government.

who

Mahdists,
who

loyal

were

first time

the

since

carried off Stasch gave himself up to

superstitious
despair,and a somewhat
tation
expec-

they were

that misfortune

possessionof
carrying them

him.

was

For

off from

took

followingthem
not

was

Fayoum

idea of

the

and

bringing

in itself

perfect madness,
that only stupid and savage
people like Idris
would
and Gebhr
entertain, because they did
not consider that they had to travel thousands
under
of kilometers in a land that was
tian,
Egypstrictly
speaking,under English,
or, more
control?
If thingshad gone
as
they naturally
the very
have been found
should, they would
next
in the
now
day ; as things were, they were
of the second cataract. None
of the other
vicinity
them

to

caravans

them, and

Khartum

sent

the

to search

for them

of the last

members

might have held

them

had

up

had

even

kidnappers and placedthemselves

overtaken
one

which

joinedtheir
at their

ser-

vice

be the fate of Httle

his

by
time

of his

been

had

had

the

the

Idris

soon

very

had

delivered

more

If

near.

fallen

side would

kidnappers and
the camel

so

people who

same

only a

had

now

have

tured
cap-

them

over

Stasch, sitting behind

government.

on

ones,

all the

him

been

the Mahdi's

to

over

new

caravan.

fallen,or

not

days later,the

gone

to

in the

now

deliverance

Khartum

and what

the

thoughts troubled

because

devise

not

this

to

up

and cartridgeshad
gun
to him, he could not shoot down

all the Arabs

These

that

planshad succeeded,

though

returned

few

anxietyas to what
Nell, was
augmented

that he could

worse,
even

his

humiliation

feelingof

none

was

for

and
despair,

Stasch's

would

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

148

and

to
listening

convinced

himself

their

versation,
con-

this

that

would

for no
certainlyhave been the course;
had
sooner
they started on again than the
leader of the pursuing party began to tell Idris
what had caused them
to betray the Khedive.
that a large army, not EgypThey had known
tian,
but English,under command
of General
Wolseley, had gone toward the south to fight
ber
against the Dervishes.
They had seen a numof boats which
the terrible English had
taken

from

railroad
as

far

sheiks

Abu

Wadi

to the

Haifa, where

to convey

Hammed.

the banks
true

who

to

being built

was

as
on

Assuan

For

of the Nile

government

secretlysympathized

their soldiers
time

some

those who

"

with

as

well
the

as

all
mained
re-

those

Mahdi

"

river, but

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

150

did not

we

what

know

that

meant.

Enghsh naturallyonly spread good news

Therefore
news
they keep to themselves.

The
bad

of

some

j)arty said that the Mahdi

our

in the end the truth

fallen. But

came

where

fact that this land

to

had

light.It
still belongs

is

as

In Wadi
the government.
Haifa, and
far south as the third and perhaps the fourth

we

are

to

still be
soldiers may
that the English have retreated

Khedive's

cataract, the
but now
seen,

firmlybelieve that the Mahdi will conquer

dina,
only Nubia and Egypt, Mecca and Me-

we

not

but

taking you
government,

And

prisonersand givingyou
we

going

are

the

prophet."

"So

then

to

world.

the whole

orders have

to

been

instead

of

to

the

over

accompany

you

given to capture

us?"
"In
all

every

village,to all the sheiks, and

militarystations.

be reached
orders

ordered

from
to

by

To

the copper

Cairo
make

were

at

placesthat could not

wire along which the
sent, policemen were

the announcement

that

ever
who-

captured you would receive a reward of a

thousand
That
is a
pounds. Maschallah!
large fortune! A largeone!"
Idris looked
at the speaker.
suspiciously
"And
of the Mahdi?"
you preferthe blessing
"Yes, and besides, he has captured so much
in Khartum
that he
spoiland so much money
shovels out Egyptian pounds by the bagful
and

divides it among

the faithful

"

THROUGH
if the

"But
Wadi

THE

Egyptian

Haifa, and
us

soldiers

151

still in

are

south, they may

ture
cap-

the road."

on

! But

"No

further

DESERT

must

we

be

their

quick,before they get

the English have retreated

bearings;for since
they all have lost their senses, sheiks
loyalto the government as well as the soldiers
and police. Ever}^ one
believes that the JNIahdi
will appear

who

are

him;

at

confusion

knows

minute, and

secretlyhis
one

no

any

hinders

that

whom

no

to

one

followers
us,

for

are

us

fleeingto

there is

much

so
no

one

obey."
Idris.

rightin saying that we

their senses,
they recover

distance to

those of

gives orders, and

"Yes, that is so!" answered

were

so

Khartum

"But

you

fore
hurry, beit is stillquite

must

for

"

Stasch, who had carefullylistened

whole
conversation, felt a momentary

to

this

feeble

in his heart.
If the
hope flickering
Egyptian soldiers are still occupying several
places in Nubia along the banks of the Nile,
the English had taken all the ships
then
as
with them
they must get beyond reach of the
tribes of the Mahdi
by going along the road.
And
in this case
it might happen that the
would meet
the retreatingsoldiers and
caravan
be surrounded
by them. Stasch also calculated
take a much
that it would
longer time for the
of

ray

"

"

of the capture of Khartum

to reach the
Arabian
tribes living to the north
of Wadi

news

the Egyptian Government

as
Haifa, especially

and

the

English

secret;

It

were

he

so

have

that must
the

Egyptians

must

occurred

never

to

feat
tryingto keep their deness
supposed that the lawlesstaken place at first among
be quiteover
by this time.
the inexperienced
boy that
and

the fall of Kliartum

loyalto
would

have

other

of the deliverance

fact, the Arabs

not

thingsto

children.

In

had
joinedtheir caravan
of being pursued. Though
rapidlyand did not spare

and

the Nile, and

near

night they turned

the animals

water

do than to think

white

they traveled very

the camels, they remained
at

the local officials

and

of two

the

who

the least fear

often

peopleto

that the sheiks

everythingelse,and

the government

now

of Gordon

the death

the attention of the

would

occupy
exclusion of

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

152

to

toward

the river to

fill the leather

bags.

lages
risked ridinginto the vilthey even
in broad daylight.Nevertheless, to make
thingsdoubly safe, they sent several people in

Sometimes

advance

to

reconnoiter,who

to
buying provisions,

district
"

left the

whether

made

find out

all the

the

Egyptian

an
news

excuse

of

of the

soldiers had

itants
neighborhood and whether the inhabwere
partisans of the Turks
tians)
(EgypWhen
a
they came
placewhose
upon
inhabitants
secretly sympathized with the
rode into the village,
Mahdi, the whole caravan
and it often happened that when
the caravan
left the place it was
joined by several young
Arabs
desirous of fleeing
to the Mahdi.
Idris also learned that nearlyall the Egyp.

THE

THROUGH
detachments

tian
and

therefore

153

in the Nubian

were

desert,

right,the eastern side of

they
prevent meeting them

the

on

the Nile; and

DESERT

to

obligedto follow the left bank and go

around
the largertowns
and settlements. That
ning
lengthened the journey, for the river beginwould

be

at Wadi

which

at

south

and

as

far

Haifa

an

first stretches
then
Abu

as

makes

out

enormous

where

Hammed,

toward

far

the

the northeast

off toward

turns

curve,

it takes

more

the other hand, this

southerlydirection ; but, on

especiallysouth of the oasis of

Selimeh, was
unguarded, and the
practically
the journey quite pleasant,
Sudanese
found
tiful
owing to their increased numbers, and the plenAfter
the
supply of food and water.
third cataract
was
passed there was no need to
hurry, and so they rode only by night,hiding
themselves
during the day between the hills or
in the ravines.
Now
a cloudless
sky hung over
them, gray and quieton the horizon and in the
middle vaulted like a large dome.
Every day
came
they advanced toward the south the heat beleft bank,

and

more

the

narrow

shade

the

heat

to

and

the heavens

same

had

beat

Stasch

one

upon

the

nights were

in

even

deepest
caravan.

very

cold,

sprinkledwith shining
to cluster in large and small
noticed that they were
not the

constellations

dreamed

the

through

down

offset this the

that seemed

groups.

and

passes

But

stars

unbearable, and

more

were

as

day

those
of

in Port

Said.

seeing the

He

southern

THROUGH

cross,

and

THE

154

its

for him.

had

sun

lighted

stars

for

side of the heavens

the west

after the

zodiacal

the somber

twinkling of
up

it behind
Elreally saw
tune
light only prophesied misforseveral evenings the pale
For
he

now

and

Ordeh,

DESERT

time

some

set.

XIV

CHAPTER
weeks
after
TwoHaifa
the

leavingthe

district of Wadi
the land

entered

caravan

that

They galloped
conquered by the Mahdi.
the
over
hilly desert of El-Gesireh
(Dschesirah) and in the vicinityof Schendi,
where
the English had
previouslyinflicted a
Musa's
they
crushing defeat upon
army,

had

been

crossed
desert.
hillocks.

steppe
where

rubber.

the

of

partly

grew

with

hundred
under

sun

the

eye

resembled

sand

no

as

reach

green

of

plains or

could

groups

and there

Here
trees

were

yield the

that

acacias

far

As
a

that

there

Here

jungle,

in nowise

district which

tended
ex-

and

grass

the

prickly

Sudanese

well-known

they came

across

mous
enor-

wide-spreadingbranches
people could take shelter from
such

them.

time

From

time

to

the

with

hills covered
passed high, pillar-like
Africa.
ants, which grow all over
equatorial

The

green

caravan

monotonous
more

and

than

Nell

acacias,after the
dull color of the desert sand, was

of the pastures and

grateful to
for

the

the first time

eye.

Here

beheld

Stasch

enormous

THROUGH

THE

DESERT

155

zizyphus^trees and equallylarge oaks. They

also saw
large dog-headed baboons, that on
catching sight of
their

quickmotions
to attack

venture

In

and

by

their anger
by
snarling,but did not

him.

places where

sembled

showed

Saba

meadow

re-,
steppe somewhat
camels grazed,
great many

the

guarded by armed warriors of the Mahdi.

the sight of the caravan
the guards jumped

At
up

like birds of prey, ran

toward
them, hemmed
them
all sides, and shaking their spears
in on
and

crying aloud, questioned them as to where

from, why they were
they came
coming from
times
the north, and where they were
going. Somesuch a threateningmanner
they assumed
the questions
that Idris was
obligedto answer
at once
to avoid being attacked.
ference
Stasch, who had supposed that the only difbetween
the

Arabs

the inhabitants

livingin Egypt

belief in the Mahdi,

and

of

Sudan

consisted

their

and

in their

unwillingnessto

recognizethe authority of the Khedive, found

that he had been greatly mistaken.
Most
of
those who

constantlyheld up the caravan

had a darker complexion than Idris and Gebhr,
and, compared with the Bedouins, seemed
almost

black.

Arabian
the

now

blood

upper

in various
'

Zizyphus

sometimes

There

was

more

in their veins.

negro

Their

faces

than
and

tattooed
parts of their bodies were
designs or with phrases from the
Spina Christi,

called

the

spiny and

jujube-tree.

usually

small

shrub,

THE

THROUGH

156

Koran.

Some

others

them

of

off

naked,

of

coats

or

finished

texture,

almost

were

"Dschubis,"

wore

woolen

DESERT

with

white
colored

of coral
had
branches
or
patches. Many
pieces of ivory drawn
through their noses,
The chiefs covered their heads
lips,and ears.
caps, of the

with white

but

ordinarysoldiers

The

coats.

their skulls

the Arabs
covered

material

same

not

were

of

Egypt

with

coarse,

colored red and

chalk

with

which

like those

shaven

disheveled

often

bareheaded,

were

the contrary,

; on

rubbed

it was

as

of

they were

hair, which
burned

almost

their

as

was

by the

up

protection
were
mostly
a

Their
against vermin.
weapons
terity,
they could wield with fatal dexspears, which
and they had plentyof Remington rifles,

captured
Egyptian

in

their victorious

the

enough

to

toward

the

whole, their

frighten any

whom

was

surrounded

the

brandished

their

or

made

the Mahdi

victory,forbidden

men,

was

caravan

that it

pointed

the

behavior

hostile,for they
of

up

Egyptian

pected
suschants,
mer-

after the
had, directly

Sudan.

they

spears

the

Their

one.

to enter
caravan

was

appearance

at

barrels

the

While

they

screamed
breasts

and
of the

of their guns

them, whereupon Idris' voice arose

shrieks; he told them that he and

belonged

the

and also after the fall of Khartum.

army,

On

battles with

above

at

their

his brother

to
Dangali tribe, the same
which the Mahdi
belonged, and that they were
taking the white children as prisonersto the
to

THE

THROUGH

158

them

impossiblefor

DESERT

to know

even

dom
acquainted. The kingthe prophet is exceedinglylarge and

all the officers

of
therefore

not

are

rule

emirs

many

in the districts of

towns

another

one

and

Darfur,

of whom

this Smain

Sennaar,

Fashoda.

near

the

over

you

distant

Kordofan,

It may
be that
speak is not in the

prophet just now."

Idris felt rather hurt by the disdainful tone
with which Nur
spoke of "this Smain," and so
he answered
rather impatiently:
neighborhood of

"Smain
and

the

is married

Smain's

thus

to

of the Mahdi,

cousin

children

relatives of the

are

prophet."
"The

has many
all."
them

remember
For

Idris

relatives and

Mahdi

they rode

while

can

not

in silence, then

on

again asked:
arrive in Khartum?"

"When

shall

"Before

midnight," answered
stars, which began to

at the

ing
Tadhil, lookappear

on

the

side of the heavens.

western

"Shall
at such

I be able to get
late hour?
We

since
"You

we

our

may

have

not

noon-day rest."
sleep and eat at

but to-morrow,

provide your

and
provisions

own

it will not

my

in Omdurman,

food, and I
be very

warn

fodder

eaten

thing
any-

house
you
you

night,
tomust

in advance

easy."

"Why?"
"On
not

account

of the

war.

cultivated the fields in many

The

people have

years, but have

THE

THROUGH
lived

famine

costs

than

"Allah
"Did

when

reigns,and

more

to-day a

of cattle

see

south

of

maize

Idris, astonished.

cried

great

sack

out

slave."

Akbar!"

I not

159

the cattle gave

Throughout the entire

ensued.

famine
a

and

meat,

on

DESERT

and

camels

many

herds

the

steppe?"
"Those belong to the prophet,to the nobles,^
and the califs. Yes, the Dangalis, from whose
the Mahdi, and the Baggars, whose
tribe come
on

chieftain

is the chief calif Abdullah,

herds

plenty,but

in

for the other

life is harder

harder

and

tribes."

tapped his

Nur-el-Tadhil

Here

stillhave

and

stomach

said:
"In the service of the

prophet I

place,more

money,

and

the

of

Khedive

service

the

have

but

greater power,
had

higher
in

larger

stomach."
As

he feared

he

might

have

said too

much,

he added;

"But

this will all be

thing of the past

faith conquers."

the true

Idris

When

heard

and

Fayoum

easilyearn
Then

"So

remark

how

from

money,

he asked
to-morrow

and
more

you

The

Mahdi's

brothers

and

when

sciously
uncon-

he, too, when

hunger,

and

that he could
very

sad.

questions:
will take

relatives.

in

English, had

he became

manf
'

he

in the service of the

suffered

never

this

of

thought

us

to

Omdur-

THE

THROUGH

160

"Yes.

of the

order

By

DESERT

prophet, Khartum

depopulated,and there are now

veryfew people there. The largerhouses are being
pulled down, and the material will be taken
along with the remaining spoilto Omdurman.
The
that is
prophet will not live in a town
tainted by unbelievers."
is to be

I shall fall at his feet, and

"To-morrow
will

have

supplied with

me

he

provisionsand

fodder."
"Ha!

If you

reallybelong to

Dangali perhaps you

be admitted

may

But
know
must
you
presence.
is guarded night and day by

armed

not

with

blows

on

who

scourges,

those who

the tribe of

do

that

his

his house

hundred

to reach

attempt

to

men

their

spare

the Mahdi

the
permission. Otherwise
people
would
minute's
not
a
give the holy man
peace."
"Allah!
I myself have seen
Dangalis with
bloody stripeson their backs."
creased.
Idris' disappointment inEvery minute

without

"So

he asked, "can
the believers,"

not

see

the

prophet?"
"The
prayer,

believers
when

raises his hands

he
to

see

dailyat the place of

on
a
sheepskin and

him

kneels

God,

or

when

peopleand strengthensthem

he teaches the

in their faith. But

it is very
difficult to be admitted
to his presence
and to talk to him, and whoever
is allowed

this

happiness attracts

the

jealousyof

every

THROUGH

DESERT

THE

161

else,for upon him God's grace descends,

blottingout his past sins."
Now
dark, and became
suddenly it grew
one

piercingcold.
horses could

In

from

was

great that

so

the

heat

of the

day

steam

arose

the

horses, and

the party rode

behind
leaned over

Stasch

asked

Nell and
"Are

be

no

to

one

Stasch

the

mist.

toward

Idris' back

find words

to

her, for he felt convinced

regain their freedom.

that

to

comfort

they would

They were
and
cruelty,

of

will

of the sentence.

the rest

unable

there

"

"

protect us

was

from

through

as

girl,"but

the

drowned

Tears

the cold

to

cold?"

answered

"No,"

the sudden

not

you

the

caravan

neighing,and

be heard

change

of the

the ranks

in

now

not

land

of bloodshed.
misery,of bestial
like two miserable littleleaves in the
They were
midst of a storm, which not only brought death

and

destruction
and

towns

individuals,but

to

tribes.

What

hand

to

could

whole

save

two

small, helplesschildren?
The
turned
into

slowly arose

moon

the branches

in the heavens

of the mimosas

silver feathers.

and

and acacias

In

the

thick

time

the

division which

jungles
sounded
the shrill,joyous laughter of the
stretch of land
hyenas,who in this bloodthirsty
found
human
than they could devour.
more
corpses
From
led

the

time

caravan

the

to
met

other

patrols and

arrangedpassword with

them.

changed
ex-

At

THROUGH

162

last

climbed

they

reached

THE
down

the Nile

people, horses,

high banks and

long ravine. The
were
shipped on

the

through
and

DESERT

camels

of
the measured
largebarges,and soon
sweep
surface of the
the heavy oars
cut the smooth
water, illuminated by the lightof the myriad
stars.

Half

hour

an

the southern

later

lightscould be

side,toward

which

on

seen

the boats

were

and the nearer

steering,
they approached this
cluster of lights,
the red
the more
brilliant was
Nur-el-Tadhil
glow reflected on the water.
nudged Idris,then pointed with his hand and

said:
"Khartum!"

They

halted at the farther end

in front of
a

rich

the

which

formerlybelonged to

merchant, who

attack

the town,

on

Tadhil's

had

killed

been

and

afterward,
had

divided, the house

spoils were

fallen to
emir

house

Italian

during the
when

of the town,

share.

The

wives

of

the

gentle and kind to Nell, who was

nearly dead from fatigue,and although food
in Khartum,
was
they found a few
very scarce
dried dates and some
rice and honey for the
little one;
then they led the child to the top
were

floor and

the

put her

night in the

to

but he had

plenty of

Although

the camels

himself with

to content

in the

Stasch, who

between

open

horses, had
the fountain

bed.

spent
and

zwieback,

water, for strange to say

stroyed.
garden had not been de-

he

was

very

tired,he could

THROUGH

THE

DESERT

163

sleepfor a long while. He was kept

which
awake
by the scorpions,
crept all night
he lay,and then
the cloth rug on which
over
again because he was
deathly afraid that he
might be separatedfrom Nell and not be able
her any longer. Saba, who
to watch
tinually
conover
not

get

to

sniffed around, and

howled

from

time, annoying the soldiers,seemed

to

to

Stasch
equally worried.
quietedhim as
he could, fearing that some
one
might

him.

The

greatlyadmired
and

no

all

in any
did Idris

day,

and

Nur-el-Tadhil
and
dispelled,
a

dark

by

veil.

be

best
harm

however,

was

the emir

and

would

have

vishes,
by all the Derattempted to

had

felt

one

injurehim
Nor

creature,

enormous

time

way.

sleep. He

indisposed

besides

this, after his talk with

many
he saw

of his illusions had

He

was

the future

glad that

now

as

on

the

been

through
morrow

to travel on
which is
to Omdurman,
they were
only separated from Khartum
by the White
Nile. He hoped to find Smain, but what then?
During the journey everything had looked
clear and distinct and so much
grander to him.
He
frankly believed in the prophet, and his
drawn
heart was
toward him because they
more
both belonged to the same
tribe. But, like most
also greedy for gain, and amArabs, he was
bitious.
had
He
imagined that he would be
deluged with gold,and that he would at least
be made
of campaigns
an
emir, and dreamed
againstthe "Turks," of captured towns, and

THROUGH

164

THE

DESERT

spoils. But now, from what Tadhil had told

of exhim, he began to fear that on account
ceedingly
that had
taken
important events
place,his deeds would disappearlike rain in the
ocean.
gret,
"Perhaps," he thought with bitter re"scarcelyany one will pay any attention
will not

what

be

gratefulthat I have brought him

This
him.
thought vexed
day would decide whether

fears

I have

done, and

to

Smain

well founded, and

were

even

these children."
The
or

approaching
not his

he waited

for it

impatiently.
At

six o'clock the

sun

and the Dervishes

rose,

hil
began to bestir themselves.
Shortlyafter Tadto
appeared and ordered them to get readj?depart. He told them also that until they
reached the place where they crossed the river
thej^would have to walk alongsideof his horse.
Stasch's great joy, Dinah
To
brought Nell
the top floor; then
down
from
they went
through the whole town, following the wall,
their transuntil they came
ports
to the placewhere
moored.

were

rode

Tadhil

in front,and

leading Nell by the

hand ; they were
followed
by Idris,Gebhr, and
and Saba and thirtyof the
Chamis, old Dinah

behind

emir's

him

Stasch

came

soldiers.

The

of the

rest

caravan

mained
re-

in Khartum.
Stasch
could

not

understand

town

White

around

looked

Nile

"

which
and

with

how

lay

in

the Blue

such
a

interest.
a

fork

He

tified
strongly formade
by the

Nile, and

therefore

THROUGH

166

But

town.

THE
there

even

DESERT

were

that

scenes

filled

the eyes and heart of the girlwith horror.

The sightof the captured English children
and

of Saba, who

attracted

After

while

party had
cries

to

leash

that increased

such

by Chamis,
minute

every

collected

mob

On

stop.

heard.

were

all sides

Nell.

Most

that

the

threatening

tattooed

Terrible

and

Stasch

over

on

party approached the river-crossing.

the

as

crowd

led

was

faces bent

of the

savages

laughing in derision when they saw

cursed
them, beatingtheir sides with joy;some
burst

out

them,

and

they

showed
At

eyes.

others

their white

last

they began

knives.

brandish

to

fright,clung close
her

as

to

like

wild

teeth and
to

had

command

some

while

as

and

them

Nell, half faintingfrom

Stasch, and he protected
that their

FortunatelyTadhil

come.

longer stand

beasts

rolled their

threaten

best he could, firmlyconvinced

last hour
no

roared

could

the angry
crowd, and at his
soldiers surrounded
dren,
the chil-

began to beat the howling

mob
Those
most
mercilesslywith scourges.
lowed
in front dispersed,
but stilla great crowd folthe party with savage
yellsuntil they
had

boarded

The

others

the boats.

children

breathed

freely again

while

crossingthe river. Stasch consoled Nell

her that when the Dervishes became
telling
to seeing them
they would cease
threaten
would

them, and

he assured

protect and defend

them

by
customed
ac-

to

her that Smain

both, and espe-

THROUGH

THE

ciallyher, for
happen to them
for his

but

anything

he would

serious

have

children.

own

167

no

to

one

That

to

were

change
ex-

true,

was

the attacks

so
they had just encountered
girlthat she seized Stasch's hand

terrified the
and

would

let go of it for a second ; at the

time she cried out over
and over
again in

same

not

feverish

if

DESERT

"I'm

way,

Stasch wished
reach

Smain

known

them

as

soon

as

for

some

time and

He

At

had

Said,

been

Sudanese
would

least
not

was

and

very

at

or

rate, he

any

his house

so

Dangalis,

be

more

durable
en-

this.
if Smain

were

broached

the

wondered

durman.

in Port

the other

than

afraid!"

they would
for he had
possible,

as

captivityin

and

I'm

with all his heart that

friendlyto them
had feignedto be.
savage

afraid!

Idris

known

in Om-

subjectto

Nur-

el-Tadhil, and the latter at last remembered

that a year before, through orders given by
Calif Abdullah, who lived in Kordofan, quite
he had heard of a
distance from
Khartum,
a
of that

person

the Dervishes
the

from

This

name.

how

Egyptians, and

instructions in
"When
in the

fire the

to

great slave-hunter.
you

Smain

He

had

cannon

later had

gave

taught
captured

become

Idris the following

regard to seeingthe emir

the sound

hear

afternoon, be with

of the

umbaja^

the children

at

the

place of prayer, where the prophet goes daily

to inspire
the faithful with an example of piety
'

large trumpet

made

of

an

elephant's tusk.

THE

THROUGH

168

and

to

belief.

strengthen their

the

There

will

you

nobles, also
the emirs, and

all the

pashas,and
can
surely pick
you

the three califs,the

among

and

himself

the Mahdi

see

DESERT

emirs

out

Smain."
shall I do and

"What

for afternoon

the time
"You

you,

"I must

go

the

a
names

Nur-el-Tadhil, will you leave us?'*

to Calif Abdullah

for my
Califs?

orders."

I
the greatest of the
distance, and although I have been

of the leaders,I would

information

"Abdullah,

"May

until

soldiers."

my

"Is he
from

shall I go

prayers?"
with

will remain

"And

where

my

Allah

welcome

come

told
ther
fur-

regarding them."
leader,is the Mahdi's
make

him

sword."

of

victory!"
For a while the boats went
silently
along.
still save
All was
for the slidingof the oars
the
and
then
against the thole-pins;now
lashed into foam by
furious splashingof water
heard. Many
the tails of disturbed crocodiles was
the river from
had come
of these reptiles
up
the south as far as Khartum;
here they found
with
strewn
plenty of food, for the river was
corpses,
was

as

well

of the diseases that

especially
among
but
the

son

the bodies of those slain when

attacked

ordered

the

as

of those

who
the

raged among

their slaves.

that the water

should

The

the town
had

died

Mahdists,
califs had

be

polluted,
this had been completelydisregarded,
and
bodies that the crocodiles did not deign to

touch floated face downward

not

as

far

as

the sixth

THE

THROUGH
cataract, and

DESERT

stillfarther,even

169

far

as

as

Bar-

bary.
Idris

But

else ; after

was

thinking of something

now

while he said

had

"We

nothing to eat
to go hungry tillthe hour
will supply us with food
"You

not

are

"you can

this

morning

of prayer,
later on?"

and

slave," answered

go to the market

where

; are

we

who

Tadhil;

provisionsare
and perhaps

get dried meat

millet there, but you will have to pay
some
high price,for, as I have told you, there is
famine in Omdurman."
sold.

You

"And

can

during

might

off the children

carry

soldiers will

"The

of them

one

food for
This
who

some

people

kill them."

guard them;

if you

or

give

he will go and procure

money

was

acceptableadvice to Idris,
to giving
preferredacceptingmoney
not

very

it; but before he answered

children

the

different
brick

or

you."

much

To

wicked

absence

my

from

houses

the boats had landed.

Omdurman

Khartum,

several

looked
where

stories

there

high, the

quite
were

"Moo-

diria"

(thepalaceof the governor, in which the

heroic Gordon
mission-house
a church, a hospital,
fell),
an
arsenal, many
militarygarrisons,
of largeand small gardens
and a number
with the plentiful,
luxuriant vegetation of the
whereas Omdurman
looked
districts,
equatorial
more

which

like

stood

camp
on

of

savages.

the northern

The

fortress,

side of the settle-

170

THROUGH

ment,

had

THE

been

DESERT

destroyed by

could be

far

of

round, ball-shapedhuts

as

from

houses

here

Only

seen

hedges of

Narrow

thorns

another

one

and

there

of

millet

straw.

little

separatedthese
from

and

the

tents, which

were

only

street.

seemed

captured from the Egyptians. In

placesa few palm mats, under a pieceof

to have

other

been

dirtycanvas

stretched

the entire

dwelling. The

within

the heat

on

their houses

rods, formed

inliabitants

when

lived in the

they

made

their fires,cooked

died.

bamboo

it rained

There

was

so

open

uge
ref-

took

oppressive; but
especially

was

times

and

consisted

the town

As

of Gordon.

order

or

when

at

other

air, where

they
lived

their food, and

much

confusion

in the

placesthe party had the

in passing through the
greatest difficulty
crowds.
had
Omdurman
formerly been a
little village,
wretched
but the populationwas
than twenty thousand, includingthe
now
more
streets

that in

slaves.

Even

alarmed

that

some

the Mahdi
so

with

his califs

were

threatened
people were
were
sickness,and expeditions

many

hunger and
constantlysent northward
and

and

districts that

to conquer

still remained

the towns

loyal to

the

Egyptian Government.
At

the

tude
sightof the white children the multishouted in a menacing manner,
occasionally
but did not

the mob

threaten them

in Khartum.

with death

as

had

Perhaps the rabble did not

dare do so in the immediate vicinity
of the Mahdi,
or
they may have become accustomed to seeing

and

Nell it was

hell

turned black
or

how

pushed

the

of dried

mouthful

and

terror

savages

scoffed

prisoners,and

and beaten.

about

little lane

or

and

ease

of maize, their starved,wild

of
telling

miserable

these

of

homes

begging for

"

handful

demeanor
noted

children

and

women

their

in rags and lean as ghosts,

had
wretchedness
faces utter

white

meat

dying under

and

dressed

"

whose

to Stasch

all but starved,

their bare flesh,and

heavy loads. They saw

of European birth, from
comfort

But

earth.

on

beasts of burden

as

Omdur-

to

They beheld
Egyptians bleedingfrom whipa

Europeans and

lashingson

171

taken

had fallen.

Khartum

when

used

all been

had

who
prisoners,
man

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

side street

In every

enacted

were

scenes

despair. They
when
they saw
how
they were
which

from

In
in horror and affright.
the eyes turned away
terrible epidemic of dysentery,
Omdurman
a

smallpox prevailed. The sick,

of the
covered with sores, lay at the entrances
huts, pollutingthe air. The prisonerswere
forced to drag through the streets the canvasof those who
had just died
shrouded
corpses
typhoid, and

and

inter them

where

in the sand

hyenas attended
hovered

the town

flocks of vultures, whose

flappingwings cast
brightsand. When
that the
would
But

sooner

outside of the town,

to the real burial. Over

mournful
Stasch

he and

saw

Nell

shadows

lazyon

this he

the

thought

died the better it

be for them.
even

in this

sea

of

misery and

inhuman-

THE

THROUGH

172

DESERT

blossomed
itydeeds of kindlypityoccasionally
like tinypaleflowers risingfrom a foul swamp.
In Omdurman

for them.

use

the Mahdi

Copts,whom
had

were

only unmolested,

number
had

These
but

even

avocations, and

and

of Greeks

spared because
around

went

men

carried

on

he
not

ferent
their dif-

of them,

especially
those who had made a pretense of changing their
faith,had become officialsof the prophet,which
them
made
quiteimportant in the eyes of the
wild Dervishes.
One
of these Greeks
stopped
the party and began to questionthe children,
from. When
to his great
askingwhere theycame
surprise he heard that they had been carried
off from
Fayoum and had only just arrived,
about them and
he promised to tell the Mahdi
to inquire
after them as soon
At
as
practicable.
the same
time he bent his head sorrowfully
over
and

Nell

figs and

gave

each of the children

piece of

some

money

lot of wild

of Marie

Therese

coinage. He then warned the soldiers against

harming the girlin any way and went off,saying
littlebird!"
in English,"Poor
little
After
passing along very tortuous
the market-place,
streets they at last reached
stood in the middle

which
way
or

they saw
foot

amputated.
were

and

those who
even

for

peoplewho
These

were

On

had had

thieves

or

secreted

the
hand
doers,
evil-

ments
spoil.Terrible punishmeted
out by the califs and emirs
disobeyedthe laws of the prophet,
small transgressionssuch, for in-

had

who

to

many

of the town.

"

THE

THROUGH

174

naively believed
done

were

wrong

that
to

DESERT

England,
of

one

her

if the

least

countrymen,

always ready to challengethe whole world.

in the depths of his soul there had
Until now
always glimmered a ray of hope that,the search
proving unsuccessful, English troops would
was

be sent

as

far

protect Mr.

to

knew

and

Khartum,

as

Rawlison's

daughter.
and

but too well that Khartum

country

in the hands

was

farther,

even

Now

he

the whole

of the Mahdi,

and

that

Egyptian Government, and England, too,

would
think
rather of protectingthemselves
from
further attacks than of devisingmeans
for the release of European prisoners.

the

He

realized that he and

abyss

an

from

which

Nell

there

had

was

fallen into
no

possible

of escape, and these thoughts,in addition

to the horrors he had witnessed
in the streets

means

of

Omdurman,

and
elasticity
and

were

energy

the last straw.

were

His

replacedby

irresistiblesubmission

usual
plete
com-

to his fate and

anxietyfor the future. He gazed around almost

languidlyat the market-placeand the stands,at
which Idris was
bargaining for food. Here
the street merchants, chiefly
Sudanese
women
and
sold Dschubis
(white linen
negresses,
smocks
with
different colored
trimmings),
acacia-rubber, hollowed-out
bottle-gourds,
glass beads, sulphur,and all kinds of mats.
There
benches where
were
on
provisionswere
sale,and around these a large crowd gathered.
The
Mahdists
bought at high prices chiefly

dried

pieces of

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

animals,

domestic

of

meat

175

there

buffaloes, antelopes,and giraffes.But

were
absolutelyno dates, figs,or maize.
in

while

of wild

they

bees

millet

and

that the market

saw

the

seeds soaked

in

Idris

of tamarinds.
he

with

mixed

sold water

was

in

priceswere

Once

honey
an

fusion
in-

despair,for
so high that
given him

spend all the money

and then he would
for provisions,
by Fatima
be obligedto beg. His only hope now
lay in
ment
Smain.
Strangely enough, at this very moStasch, too, relied on Smain's help.
he would

Half

soon

agreeabl
Apparently something dishappened to him there, for he

had
very

bad

whether

he

in

was

him

Smain,
"You
I have

for

returned

calif.

the

from

later Nur-el-Tadhil

hour

an

Idris asked

humor, and when

had

he answered

heard

anything
abruptly:

him

about

that the calif and

suppose
nothing better to do than to find Smain

fool, do

you

you?"

"What

do you
what
you

intend

me

to do

now?"

please. I have allowed j^ou

to spend the night in my
house, and I have
I do not
given you much good advice, and now
wish to hear from you again."
"All right; but where
shall I find shelter for
the night?"
"Do

"That
With

is

these

soldiers with
to

send

affair of mine."

no

the

words

he

him.

Idris

caravan

and

departed,taking the
could hardly beg him
the Arabs

who

had

market-place.These people had

evident
at mid-daj^and then it was

only arrived
that

Haifa,

Wadi

in the

him

to

and

Assuan

between

joinedthem

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

176

of them

none

what

knew

to

do. The

danese
Su-

two

began to quarrelwith Idris and Gebhr,

declaring that they had imagined that they
and that
would
have a verj^ different reception,
deceived.
After
they had purposely been
cided
lengthy discussions and consultations they deto erect

and

of fir branches

shelter for the

in which

bamboo,

night,and

tents

seek

to

then to wait and

leave

to Providence.

the rest

they had finished the tents, which

long to build, all the Sudanese

When
not

of the town

the outskirts

on

take

did
and

to prepare
was
except Chamis, who
off to the publicplace
the evening meal, went
of praj^er.
from
It was
easy to find,for crowds

negroes,

Omdurman

all sections

of

The

spacious,bordered
partly by a clay wall, which

placewas

thorns

just

and

been

commenced.

were

the

In

going there.
by a hedge of

center

was

had
a

wooden

platform,on which the prophet stood

while instructing
the people. On the ground,
in front of the tribune, sheepskinswere
spread
out

for the Mahdi,

sheiks.

Empire
in the

wind

around

and

The

lined with

At

the sides the

hoisted.

were

flowers.

the calif,and

four

crowded

could

shone

be

The

rows
seen

of
of

more

flagsof

banners

like

sides

the

portant
im-

the

fluttered

large variegated
the place were
Dervishes.

towering forests

All

of

THROUGH
spears, with

THE

which

DESERT

nearlyall the

177

warriors

were

armed.
It

lucky for

was

Idris and

Gebhr,

well

as

for the rest of the caravan,

that they were
of the emirs, and
followers of one
could

The

sidered
con-

fore
there-

of the crowd.

get in the front ranks

arrival of the Mahdi

as

first announced

was

far-reachingand solemn umbaja, and

he appeared sharp whistles, the beating
when
of stones
shaken
in
of drums, the clattering
out, all combining in
empty bottle-gourds,
rang
beside
infernal racket. The people were
a most
the

by

themselves

Some

with enthusiasm.

fell

on

their

knees, others cried out as loud as they could,

"Oh, victorious
"Oh, you are sent from God!"
onel"
"Oh, merciful one!" "Oh, pityingone!"
and kindred exclamations, that lasted until the
Mahdi

dead

into

stepped

silence he raised his

in his

well.

He

Stasch, who
wore

dressed

was

cap

his

on

his face

in

the

half-highshoes
was

he
not

was

the

see

The

dren
chil-

him

very

white

coat

and

and

one

and

He

ear.

had

removed
on

the

going to

least attempt

that

white

bare, for before

had

left them

afterward

in

were

pulpithe

age,

tattooed

was

head; his feet

he mounted

where

could

large ivory ring

while.

singularly
bloated, and
nearly black.
an
especially
quick observer,

was

that

of middle

man

corpulent and
noticed

hands, put his thumbs

prayed for
and
quitenear

was

amid

Then

pulpit.

and

ears,

stood

he

the

at

his red

sheepskins,

pray.

luxury

There
in

his

THROUGH

178

THE

DESERT

blew a strong
the wind
dress, but occasionally
and
pleasingodor of sandalwood^ from him,
which

the

noses,

at

greedily sniffed up their

time rollingtheir eyes with
had
imagined the terrible

believers
the

same

delight. Stasch
of so many
prophet, the robber and murderer
thousands, to be quitea different looking person,
and whilst gazing at this fat face with its
mild expression and tearful eyes, and with a
the lips,he
smile constantly hovering about
could not conceal his surprise. He
thought
would
have the head of a hyena
that such a man
a

or

crocodile,but instead

gourd with
prophet began

fat-cheeked
The

he

before

saw

face like

his

him

full

moon.

teaching. His

deep

ringing voice could be heard

place,so that every word reached
He
the believers.
now
spoke of
inflicted by God
those
on

who

follow

instead

and

the laws

of the Mahdi,

but

spoil,
get drunk, steal,spare
war,

and

would
such

smoke

tobacco.

result in Allah's
sinners

hunger

and

These

all the

over

the
the

of

ears

ments
punishdo

not
ceal
con-

the enemy
in
crimes, he said,

sending
that

down

upon

which

sickness

honeycombs the face.^ This earthlylife is like

and pleasures
a vessel with
a hole in it. Riches
sink

in the

sand.

True

belief is like

that

gives sweet milk. But

to the victor only. Those
will gain salvation.
enemy
"In

the

Orient

'The smallpox.

they

prepare

Paradise
who

Those

scented

is open

conquer

who

oil from

cow

the

die for

sandalwood.

THE

THROUGH

DESERT
and

the faith will live forever

times

hundred

happy,

loud

Soon

and

The
a

warlike

flame.

The

and

against

seized every
faith
cried out, "The

enthusiasm

Some

to Paradise!"

victory!" Others, "By death

Then
Stasch
understood
why
could

warriors

spear

is

soldiers

people

began again.

resounded.

drums

against sword

sword

like

one

noise

the infernal

after

spear.

have

voice.

Trumpets
beat

who

those

are

will die for the faith!" cried the

"We
a

Happy,

ever.

"

already fallen
in

179

the

Egyptian

resist these wild tribes.

not

the
somewhat
restored
quiet was
prophet began to speak again. He told of the
visions he frequentlyhad and about the mission

When

received

had

he

him
it

not

one

purify the

to

the whole

over

end

of

be

duty

Egj^pt, Mecca,

and

side of the sea, where

is the will of
blood

Much
will not

return

happinessof

Then
assembled

had

faith and

And
as

he said that any

the Mahdi,
the
to

is near,

destruction.

but

before

it

of the believers to conquer

all the lands on
the other

the heathen

to

their wives

no

human
those who

he stretched

manded
com-

spread

to

dwell.

God, and nothing can

will stillbe shed, many

their tents, but

the

Allah

condemned

the world

it is the

comes

world.

recognizing him

saviour, would
The

God.

from

out

multitude, and

and

tongue

change

it.

warriors
children

can

fall in the
his hands

That

in

portray
cause.

toward

closing,said:

the

THE

THROUGH

180

"I, the saviour, and

and

the

holy war
fatigue,your
victory,and
loves you."

wounds,

and

wept. The
uled-Helu, gave
he

Idris

in vain

searched

"I

face.

not

can

could

he

Chamis, who

he is!"
and

arose

the

And

Dervishes

crowds

on

this earth would

the

the

his

placeof

Smain

known

his eyes in
is God I

"There

sun

about

was

to set

what

their

reverence

prophet,

for

footstepsand scraped up

secure

prayer.

sharp

well-known

raised

with

he had

sick.

his

lasted a
prayers
his hands
moved
and

surrounded

which

with

The

saw

for
quarrelsand fights,

cure

Smain

homeward.

now

followed

the earth

also

whether

had

the

as

walked

children

The

moment

anywhere. Perhaps

long while. The Mahdi

legslike a circus-clown, then
ecstasy, while repeating:
There

to

Khartum."

on

Said, find him.

in Port

Ali-

sheepskin,on

for the

him

see

he fell in the attack

Nor

and

this short

repliedthe boy, who

had

eyes

air.

the emirs.

among

"No!"

to the

Stasch

pulpit
Every

the Mahdi

to

During

feverishlyasked

not

the

arms

led him

who

father

he left the

When

their

knelt.

I bless the

califs,Abdullah

two

support him, and

which

as

wailing rent

one

I bless your

death.

your

for you

mourn

screams

was

warriors.

you

bless

of God,

servant

burst into tears.

He

DESERT

trodden.

the

This

led to

peoplebelieved

that

health to the well and

Gradually

the

Idris did not

crowd

know

left
what

THE

THROUGH

182

Idris and
and

only understand

Gebhr

the others

"That's

DESERT

not

be

everythingmust

words,

few

word."

Listen

well.

what

to

planned

say,

in advance.

for
The

will ask you whether

prepared
j'^ou are
that
to accept his faith.
Immediately answer

Mahdi

prepared, and

are

you

the first shed

from
upon

his

among

and

will prevent you

clude
he will inThen

personalservants.

luxuries and every

will have

you

had

will flatter him

That

you

his presence

peculiarlightof grace
Remember,
a
peculiarlight of

you.

grace!

that

comfort, which

becoming ill. But if you

will endanger yourselfand
act differently
you
this poor littlething,and also me, the one
who
wishes

Do

clenched

but
had

well.

you

Stasch

from

you

understand?"

his teeth and

his face

became

made

rigid and

strange light in them.

noticingthis, continued:

"My boy, I
matter,
All

but

those

did not

nuns

The

matter.

priests,and
enough, yet

every

there

who

of the Mahdi.

that

know

that this is
is

were

in Khartum

massacre

with

The

death.

the

was
one

The

swer,
an-

his eyes

Greek,

disagreeable

nothing else to be done!

spared after the bloody
have acceptedthe faith
Catholic missionaries

accept it,but
Koran

no

that

forbids the

is

and

different

murdering

of

although their fate is terrible

not
threatened
at least they are
for people of other classes
But
of escape.
I repeat,
only means
the
accepted Mohammedanism
"

THE

THROUGH

myself."
although Stasch

And
not

in the

one

voice sank

to

him

to

man's

to

madness,
for what

step does

that this

tell you

treason

or

only apparently.

what
must

It

is

be

it would

his life,and

to defend

or

sin, to endanger it and

yes, even
reason?
For the mere
sake of appearances,
"

for

which

if

power,

duty

that

English,his

remains
apostasy. In his soul each one
this. One
he was
before, and God knows
bend

"

whisper:

denial of the Faith

mean

assured

had

understood

caravan

"I do not need

not

183

Italians, Copts, English, Greeks

Germans,
even

DESERT

when

even

of

sake

the

utter

you

words

few

them

spoken,

you

wardly
in-

can

in your hands
deny. Besides, remember
lies not only your own
life,but also the life of
fate you have no
littlecompanion, whose
your
the time
rightto decide. I assure
you that when
for God

comes

these

of

which

to

to

deliver

from

you

people, you will have

and
reproachyourself,

you

While

no

"

Greek

the

than

more

talked

he deceived

nothing
no

of

any
to

his

the hands

the

with

will

one

proach
re"

us

boy

in this

conscience,
but Stasch's silence also deceived him, for he at
way,

perhaps

last mistook
the

So he tried to

it for fear.

age
encour-

boy.

"These
"He

own

are

prefersstaying in

in Omdurman

although

of the Mahdi,"

the houses

these wooden

he said.

huts

here

rather than to live in Khartum,

he

could

have

taken

possession of

THROUGH

184

Gordon's

DESERT

THE

palace. Keep

up

your

Answer
all
lose your head!
promptly and with decision. Here

Don't

every

form

that the Mahdi

of

will

Don't

courage.

like

at you

roar

courage!
questions
mire
they adimagine
lion. No

template
always smiles even when he does not conany good deeds."
he called to the
he spoke these words
As
crowd
standing before the house to make room
for the "guests" of the prophet.

He

"

CHAPTER

XV

entered
WHENMahdithey
lying
on

his wives, two

by

with

the
a

soft couch, surrounded

of whom

large ostrich

the

they saw

room

feathers.

fanning him

were

No

else

one

was

and
Calif
except Calif Abdullah
Sherif ; for the third calif,Ali-uled-Helu, was
at tliistime forwarding soldiers to the north,
to
Hammed,
Barbary, and to Abu
places
him

with

alreadycapturedby the
the newcomers
prophet saw
the

and

women

Gebhr, and the

and

sat
two

then knelt with

The

Greek

made

up

Dervishes.
he
on

Bedouins

the

pushed

aside

the couch.
fell on

their hands
a

When

on

Idris,

their faces
their chests.

sign to Stasch

to

do

but the

the

boy pretendednot to see this ; he

merely bowed, and remained
standing. His
face had
become
pale, but his eyes shone
and from his whole appearance
the
brightly,
proud way he held up his head and his comsame,

"

THE

THROUGH
"

longer undecided

he had
the

made

world

Greek

could

seemed

his face
Mahdi
and

firm

to

was

frightened,but that
resolution,which nothingin
him

tempt

break.

to

comprehend

The

the situation,for

lightedup with
turning to Idris and

have

its customary

Gebhr, he

to

! We

galitribe,and therefore
in Fayoum
in order to
"I

your
saw

blessed

and

I sent

there
"We

thank

"And

so

Smain,

did

You

and
for

let

you

him, but he

brought the children for

for his
to exchange them

have

the Turks

serves

in Port

works

me

tell you

are

detaining

Said."

serve!"

thereby you
yourselves.
me

see

at the hands

thee, saviour."

whom
offspring,
togetherwith Fatima
"You
only will we
who

not

over

you."

over

own

"He

down

terrible

watched

death

from

enable him

to

homes

kneel

It is

angel,who

an

watching

and

come

the Dan-

left our

have

we

desert.

protectedyou

of unbelievers.

belong to

feet."

in the

you

road, but

his forehead.

the floor with

"It is so, oh Madhi

before

the far north?"

from

come

Idris touched

But

he

"You

was

that

thing
some-

expression. The
very anxious
took in both children at a quick glance,
wore

smile; then

you

that

and

his fat face

asked

185

seen

in his mind,

uppermost

was
no

readilybe

it could

pressedlips

DESERT

open

out

the way

Fatima

that

his

when

tion,
salva-

own

to

dise
Para-

is my
relative.
I conquer
the

186

THROUGH

whole

of

Egypt, then
will obtain

successors

DESERT

THE

"Then, oh blessed

their

relatives and

my

their freedom."
do what

one,

wish with

you

the children!"
half closed

Mahdi

The

eyelids,opened
oned
good-naturedly,and beck-

again,smiled

them

his

Stasch.

to

boy!"

"Come

nearer,

Stasch

advanced

with
for

step, bowed

soldierlike
energetic,

an

the

second

time, then

straightenedup stiff as the stringof

and waited, lookingdirectly
into the eyes

bow

of the

Mahdi.
"Peace

be

with

you!

Are

you

pleased to

to us?"

come

"No, prophet! We
fathers

our

This

againstour

frank

only for

the ruler,who

began

was

the

on

Calif Abdullah

present

frowned, the Greek

fingers;but

at

at

not

to

being

as

well.

bit his

lips

the Mahdi

smiling.

"But," he said,"on the other hand,

now

from

sensation

accustomed

others

to twist his

ceased

never

created

answer

flattered,but
and

carried away
wills."

were

the fountain

of truth.

Will

you

you

are

drink

this source?"
A

short silence
that the

ing
ensued, and the Mahdi, think-

boy had
repeated it more

"Will

not

understood

plainly.
teaching?"

accept my
Whereupon Stasch, with
you

the question,

held to his breast,without

the

hand

that he

attention.
attracting

THROUGH

THE

DESERT

187

managed to make the sign of the cross, just

ing
as though he were
going to springfrom a sinkshipinto deep water.
"Prophet," he said, "I am not famihar with
if I were
to accept it I should
so
your teaching,
do so only from
and base
fear, like cowards
and

persons,

to

persons

do

wish

you

accept

cowards

and

base

faith?"

your

speaking he continued to look

in the eye. The silence
the Mahdi
unflinchingly
that ensued was
so
great that the buzzing of
he

While

was

could

the bees
very

embarrassed

be

unusual
for

heard.

Besides

happened.
and

moment

The

this, something
Mahdi

could not

was

think

Stretching out his hand,

reply to make.
he grasped a bottle-gourd
filled with water
and
honey and began to drink, but evidentlyonly
to gain time and to hide his embarrassment.
the brave boy, a true descendant
And
of the
of Christianity,
defenders
stood with his head
On
his sunken
erect
awaiting his sentence.
cheek, tanned by the desert wind, there was
now
and a
a
tingeof pink, his eyes shone brightly,
thrill of exaltation passed through his delicate
body. "Every one," he thought,"has accepted
his teaching,
but I have neither renounced
my
what

sacrificed my

Faith

nor

what

might happen
buried

soul."
and

And

would

the fear of

happen

in his

mained
re-

filled
breast, and he was
with joy and pride. Then
the Mahdi, putting

down
"So

the
you

asked:
bottle-gourd,
refuse

to

accept

my

teaching?"

*'I

what

am

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

188

father is

my

closes his

"Whosoever

"

Christian!"
to

ears

heavenly
changed

the

voice," said the Mahdi slowly,and in a

than wood,
of voice, "is nothing more
tone
into the fire."

be cast
Calif

wild

who

Abdullah,

"This

and

animal

teeth

rude; therefore,sir,

are

permit me
is over," thought

"All

his white

his

said:

boy's answers

punish him,

for

known

was

cruelty,showed

severityand
like

to

or

to do

so."

Stasch

to

himself.

always desirous that

the fame of his mercy
might spread not only
the Dervishes, but throughout the whole
among
world, thought that too severe
a sentence, especially
againsta small boy,might be bad for his
reputation. For a while he passed the glass
his fingers,and
between
beads of the rosary
the Mahdi, who

But

was

said:

then

these

"No;
Smain's

carried

were

off

on

therefore, though I have

be
do with unbelievers, they must

account;

nothing to
sent

children

Smain.

to

This

is my

wish!"

"It shall be done," answered

Then

the Mahdi

the Calif.

pointedto Idris,Gebhr,

and

the Bedouins.

"These

people, O

Abdullah,

you

must

ward
re-

long

for they have completed

in my
name,
and dangerous journey in order to serve

God

and

he nodded

Then
was

at

myself."

an

as

sign that

end, and in like

manner

the audience
he ordered

He

returned.

He

fire his rage

at

had

he

the

boy

incurred

and

advice.

Christian

am

not

have

by

would

to his

and

Stasch's head.

He

ions.
opin-

wanted
not

was

heart, but he wanted

bad

are,

he
responsibility
profitingby his warning

realize the terrible

to

had

"Who

talkative,as all Greeks

was

thoroughly angry,

was

cruel, nor

DESERT

necessityof givingvent

felt the

and

to

THE

THROUGH

190

not

have

from

preventedyou
"Do

he said.

at heart?"

Christian?

But

preferredto make
Up to this time

am

no

displayof

I have

been

being

you

think

fool.

You

false

age.
cour-

able to be

prisoners,but
cause
henceforth I can
not do anything for them, beis angry
with me, too.
the Mahdi
They
all will perish! And
little companion in
your
sufferingwill surelydie ! You have killed her !
In Fashoda
like
even
people succumb
grown
great service

of

flies to

the

fever, and

escape? When

you

of the horses
very

first

it. You

day.
ought

how

and

to walk

child

side
along-

camels, she will die the

you

be

such

can

forced

are

And
to

white

the

to

will be to blame

happy

now,

you

for

tian!
Chris-

"

He

walked

they turned off from

the place of prayer and went
through narrow,
dark lanes toward
the tents.
They walked a
long time, for the town was very large. Nell,
who was
greatly overcome
by fatigue,hunger,
fear,and the terrible sensations she had experienced
all day, stopped to rest; but Idris and
away,

and

THE

THROUGH
Gebhr

her ahead

pushed

DESERT

191

After

faster.

however, her feet absolutelyrefused

Then
Stasch, without
step farther.
about

much

it,picked her up

carried her.

On

her, wanted

to

to

he could

that

not

had, but his mind

repeat

and

over

again:

over

and

unable
gone

Nell

she

fell

and

arms,

quietof

tired that

so

he

so

and

to

than

he could

"Nell

pressedher to him,
word.
After
they had
was

speak
her
by telling

and

blank

move

arms

acted otherwise

have

while,

thinking

wanted

justifyhimself
was

to

in his

he

the way

only

! Nell ! Nell !"

say another
short distance

to

asleep in
silentlythrough

walked

he

sleepylittlestreets, that
only by the conversation of
the

his
the
turbed
dis-

were

Idris and

Gebhr.
hearts

Their

happy,

were

Stasch, for

which

lucky

was

otherwise

they might have

wanted
to punish him
swered
again for having anthe Mahdi
so
rudely. But they were
with what had happened to them
absorbed
so
that they were
quite unable to think of anything
for

else.
"I felt ill,"said Idris,"but

prophet made
"He
water

me

is like
on

warm

ripe dates,"

did

would

admit
to

us,

not

and

reward

sightof
and

cold

are

like

Gebhr.

lied when

admit

the

again."

palm in the desert

day, and his words

answered

"Nur-el-Tadhil
Mahdi

well

the

us

he told

us

that the

to his presence.

he blessed us,
us."

and

told

He
dullah
Ab-

certainlyreward

will

"He

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

192

well, for the

us

is sacred."

will of the Mahdi

"Bismillah!

it be

May

as

you

say," said

of the Bedouins.

one

And

Gebhr

began

dream

to

of innumerable

cattle,horses, and

camels, horned

filled

sacks

his
him from
piasters. Idris awakened
dreams
by pointingto Stasch, who was carrying
the sleepingNell, and asked:

with

"And

what

Smain

"Ha!

give us

must

am

sorry

they did

not

would

have

of the Calif, who

to bark

it means

what

chosen

an

reward

extra

taught this

at the truth

young

and

is merciful," answered

Mahdi

then

fall into the hands

the

of God."

one

"The

and

and

that wasp

them."

"I

dog

do with

to

we

fly?"

this

for

are

after

while

he

Idris,

continued:

has them
"Still, it is certain that if Smain
the
both in his hands, neither the Turks
nor

English will kill his children and

"Then
perhaps he will reward
"Yes.

So

And

shoulders.
will demand
"So

you

heavy

think

we

load

Smain

when

reward

us?"

post is to take them

Abdullah's

and

Fashoda,

Fatima."

from

will

be

returns

off

here

to
our
we

him."

remain

should

in Omdur-

man?"
"Allah
in that
It is

! Have

you

had

enough traveling,
to Khartum?
Fayoum

not

journey from
quite time to take

rest!"

"The

of

brave

boy,

stood
Christianity,

sentence."

"

Page

187.

true

with

descendant
his

head

of
erect

the defenders

awaiting

his

THROUGH
The

THE

tents

walked

were

DESERT
close

now

by, but Stasch

coming
behis strengthwas
though Nell was

slowly,for

more

exhausted.

193

Even

and more.
weight more
Sudanese, who were
impatientto lie down
sleep,shouted at him to hurry up, and at
they pushed him along by strikinghim on
he
light,

felt her

The

and
last
the

with their fists.

head

boy bore everythingin silence,his one

thought being always to protect his little sister,
and it was
only when one of the Bedouins gave
that
him down
him a blow that nearlyknocked
he said through his clenched teeth:
The

"We

shall reach

This

kept

the

commands

of the

affected

more

denlj^seized

by

with

that he had

although

the

Sudanese

became

"Allah!
with

me!

"You
you

from

Arabs

violence, for they

afraid

were

prophet.
the

to lean

ceased

alarmed

I been

will not

seen

the

Gebhr's

on

after

and
must

be ill,"answered

of dizziness
arm,

and

while, the

said

be

the

seized with

Mahdi,

sud-

was

attack

severe

Something

have

But

doing further
to disobey the
even
they were

fact that Idris

such

pain

Have

alive!"

Fashoda

and

matter

some

ness?"
ill-

therefore

Gebhr.

moning
They finallyreached the barracks, and sumall his strength,Stasch put the sleeping
Nell in the care
of old Dinah, who, though indisposed
herself, nevertheless prepared a very
comfortable
for her little lady.
resting-place

After

had

Bedouins

the

and

Sudanese

the

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

194

meat, they threw

piece of raw
down
themselves
as
heavy as logs on the cloth
Stasch was
given nothing to eat, but
rugs.
of soaked
maize
Dinah
pushed a handful
toward him, a small quantityof which she had
swallowed

sleepy nor
The

that rested

burden

than

right,and

will of the

heavy.

one's

be very

his shoulders

on

was

felt that he had

He

if he forfeited the

even

which

Mahdi,

by denying
would

neither

was

hungry.

reallymore
done

he

But

the camels.

stolen from

faith, he

proud

could

one

knew

good
purchase

his father

of his decision,and

that it

happy, but at the same

time he thought that he had endangered the life
and his
of Nell, his companion in misfortune
beloved
he would
sister,for whom
willingly
have given the last drop of his blood.
when
And
so
was
asleephe sobbed
every one
if his heart would break, and lay on the piece
as
of cloth rug weeping for a long time like a child,
would

make

him

very

which, after all,he stillwas.

CHAPTER

T
for
and

HE

visit to the Mahdi

XVI
and

his talk with him

had

evidentlynot brought health to Idris,

ill,
during that very night he fell seriously
in the morning became
unconscious. Chamis,

Gebhr, and
before

the Bedouins

the calif,who

were

sent

detained

for to appear

them

sev-

THROUGH

196

attack

to

him.

and

stones
to

THE
The

sand

at

children,however, threw
tion
him, but he paid no atten-

them.

Prices in the market

so

he could not

of the rice away

boy

DESERT

were

exceedinglyhigh,

get dates, and Gebhr

to

giveto

resisted this with

his sick brother.

all his

in

weaker

emerged bumped
first became
crueltynow

Chamis'

with

which

one

only showed
him

scuffle,from

an

attachment

to

The

strength,which

resulted

took most

naturallythe
and

bruised.

evident.

Saba, and

He

fed

with the
meat, but he viewed
greatest indifference the needs of the children,
whom
he had known
for some
time, and who
had

raw

always been kind to him ; and when Stasch

turned to him, begging him to give Nell something
to eat, he answered
laughingly:
"Go and beg."
to such a pass the next
Finallythingscame
day that Stasch reallyhad to beg to save Nell
from suffering
from hunger. His efforts were
times a former
not altogetherfutile. Many
of Egypt,
soldier,an officer of the Khedive
of dried
him a few piasters
or
a handful
gave
lowing
figs,and told him he would help him the folday. Once he met a missionaryand a
Sister of Charity,who wept on hearing the tale
of the children's fate, and
although they
from
themselves were
exhausted
hunger, they
shared
what
They also
they had with him.
promised to visit them in the barracks, and the
followingday actuallycame, in the hope that

THE

THROUGH
succeed

DESERT

197

in

being permitted to take

ure
along with them until the depart-

they might
the children

and Chamis
of the post. But Gebhr
with scourges.
them away
On the followingday Stasch met them

drove

again,

they gave him a littlerice and two small

quininepowders, of which the missionary told
him to be especially
careful,in case they should
and

get the fever in Fashoda.

"You

are

the banks
or

going,"he said,"to
Nile, which

of the White

straightthrough
the river

As

dis.

now

ride
has

along
flowed,
over-

the so-called Sudflow

count
freely on acof the obstacles in its path, the plants
and leaves which the current
carries along pile
where they form large,
up in the shallow places,

infectious

to

puddles.

not

There

the fever

Take
the negroes.
the bare ground at

even

spare

can

sleepon

does not

specialcare not
night without a

fire."

"Would

had died!" Stasch

we

answered, half

sighing.
the

Now

toward

sign of

face
missionary,raisinghis wan
heaven, prayed a while,and making the
the boy, said :
the cross
on

"Put

your

Him,
be

over

Stasch

faith in God!

and

His

mercy

You
and

have

not

nied
de-

protectionwill

you."

only attempted to beg, but also

tried to get work.
One
he saw
day when
crowds working in the placeof prayer, he went
and began to carry clay to the
to them
over
not

THROUGH

198

wall which

THE

It is true

that he

overseer,

gave

the

place.
pushed

laughed at and
evening the old sheik,

was

in the

about, but

built around

being

was

DESERT

twelve

him

Stasch

dates.

the
was

pleasedwith this reward, for after

rice dates were
the only food that was
good
and more
for Nell, and it was
becoming more
much

very

difficult to find them

in Omdurman.

proudly presentedthe dozen dates to

his littlesister,
he brought everything
to whom
he could find. During the last few days he had
lived mostly on maize that he had stolen from
the camels.
Nell was
delightedwhen she saw
So

her

he

fruit, but

favorite

share them

with her.

around
put her arms
littlehead, looked in
"StaschI
But
"I

Stasch

wanted

she

to

she
tip-toe,
his neck, and raisingher
his eyes and begged :

Standing

Eathalf

of them!

on

Eat

them

I"

he answered:

have

already
eaten.
Oh, I have had a great plenty!"
He smiled, but soon
after bit his lipsto prevent
burstinginto tears, for he was reallyall
already

eaten.

but

starved.

He

day

in search

of work.

resolved

to

go

have

out

the next

But

thingshappened
that changed his plans. Early in the morning
a messenger
came
nounce
by order of Abdullah to anthat the camel-post would
depart for
Fashoda
during the night,and he brought an
order from the calif statingthat Idris,Gebhr,
Chamis,
themselves

and

the

two

Bedouins

should

have

and the children in readiness for the

This

journey.

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

and

astonished

order

199

annoyed

Gebhr, and he declared that he would

because his brother was
ill,and there
take

to

one

that

was

no

if he

even

in Om-

to remain

decided

they had

well

were

of him, and

care

ride

not

durman.

answered:

But

the messenger
Mahdi
"The
never
his

Abdullah,

master,

my

slave

take

can

will ride with

brother, but you

never

of

care

the others

Fashoda."

to

I will go to the calif and

"Then

those

"Only
your

to

"Allah
am

quiet and

almost

durman
of those

bodies

were

What

the

obey

had

on

orders!"

the

seen

broken

hanged

to

force

down

answered

gallows in Omfrom the weight

them, and

that

after the

had

pronounced sentence new

afraid.
strung up daily,so he was

cruel Abdullah

messenger

had

told him

about

the

changing his mind and Abdullah

changing his orders was confirmed by all
never

the Dervishes.
escape,

try

permissionyou will be
the gallows."
Akbar!
tell me
Then
plainlythat

the messenger.
The Sudanese

never

if you

slave."

"Be

Mahdi

and

see,

calif

the

to

in without

way

led out

admittance

gain

he wishes to

whom

tell him that

ride."

I will not

calif and

his orders.

changes
your

changes his mind, and

and

Therefore

they would

there
have

to

was

no

ride.

way

of

THROUGH

200

"I

shall

never

In

his

Gebhr.

DESERT

THE
see

Idris

again," thought

heart
tiger-like

there

was

still

feelingof affection for his elder brother, and

illfilled him
the thought of leavinghim behind
in vain that Chamis
with despair. It was
and
the Bedouins
explained to him that perhaps
be better off in Fashoda
than in
they would
would
and that Smain
Omdurman,
probably
than the calif
not give them
any largerreward
But
had done.
nothing they could say was
sadness or appease
his
able to dispelGebhr's
of course
which
he vented
chieflyon
anger,
a

Stasch.
the

For

He

boy
was

and

so

this
not

he

was

allowed
could

day

of real martyrdom.

to go

neither

place,
to the marketearn

nor

beg

anything,and he was made to work like a slave

at the baggage, which
was
being made ready
all the more
cult
diffifor the journey,and this was
from
because
he was
weak
hunger
very
and fatigue. He
was
just about ready to die
on

the

from

way,

either from

Gebhr's

scourge

or

exhaustion.

evening the Greek appeared.

As we
have already said, he had a
notwithstanding all that
good heart, and
the children,
to see
had taken place,he came
the
to give them
to take leave of them, and
most
things for the journey. He
necessary
brought them several little quinine powders
and
some
glass beads and provisions. On
turned
ill, he
hearing that Idris was
Fortunately,toward

THROUGH

DESERT

THE

201

and

Gebhr, Chamis, and the Bedouins

towards
said:

"I have
When

order of the Mahdi."

by

come

bowed

they

low

hearing

on

these

words, he continued:
"You

the way

on

and

and

how

have

you

They

treated

them,

will report it to the

Smain

food

with

well.

them

to treat

are

tell Smain

to

are

children

supply the

to

are

If

prophet.

ing
complaint about you, the followpost will bring you your death warrant."
to these
A second bow
the only answer
was
made
and
Chamis
words, whereupon Gebhr
faces like dogs that are
being muzzled.
there be any

Greek

The
added

in

children
"I

told them

English

he

as

go

turned

he

then

away;

toward

the

all this,for the Mahdi

invented

further orders
that you

he said

to

people will
before
they start

these

of

none

the calif

or

as

Fashoda, you must

calcuthere alive. Besides, I late

to

were

that

ride

no

gave

But

concerning you.

naturallyreach
Mahdi

to

see

the

on

this

journey."
he turned

Then

"Boy,
have

I had

it. Do

you

to Stasch

The

Mahdi

to appease

him

I had

part of

quite sure
while

or

fortune

my

to

was

to

always.

with

angry

give up

At

am

any

safe

me,

and

considerable

Abdullah, and

yet whether
for

continued:

grudge againstyou, and I still

know
that you nearly caused

ruin?

my

and

for

am

not

only

rate, hereafter

THE

THROUGH

202

shall not

be able to
I

But

for
about

assist the

am

I love

whom

her age,

life. All that I have

done

Christ will bear

witness

wears

silver

Her

heart.

prisonersas

cially
sorry for you, and espeI have a daughter
this girl here.

done.

have

DESERT

littleone.

me

I did

under

cross

is the

If it were

not

than

that.

to

as

same

own

her account.

on

She

her dress, next

name

to die rather

than my

more

yours,

for her I should

still
her
my
fer
pre-

live in this hell."

to

by emotion, and remained

silent for a while, then he passed his hand over
his forehead and began to talk of something
He

overcome

was

else.
Mahdi

"The

is

sending

you

to

Fashoda,

secretly
hoping that you will die there. This is
of takingrevenge
his means
on
especially
you
of your
account
resistance, boy, which
on
wounded
him deeply without endangering his
is always like
'the merciful one.' He
name,
"

"

that.

who

But

-Abdullah

is afraid

this may

and

prophet

the

spread

the

news

become
do not
that

orderingthese
ride along with
meagerly, and

idea of

carried you off,to

rewarded
them very

He

will die first!

tell which

suggested the

dogs, who
you.

can

known.
want

there

Besides, he

these
are

people to

still soldiers,

English in Egypt.
But
it will be a hard journey and a long
You
will pass through a desolate and
one.
unhealthyland, and these powders will protect
you."
cannon,

money,

and

the

THROUGH

204

time

THE
could

steamers

Fashoda,

and

the

was

river

could

banks

districts
covered

were

heaps
the

to

to

up/ But
again, and

now

it

as

overflowed

both

right and left

high jungle, from

of ant-hills and

towered.

extended

Khartum

the

on

with

of which

giant trees
woods

farther

even

The

the midst

from

go

clogged up
flow
freely, it

not

banks.

DESERT

In

places the

some

In

stream.

lated
iso-

dry places

large groves of acacias.

During the first few weeks they stillpassed

grew

Arab

and

settlements

of houses

the

consisting
peculiar,ball-shapedroofs of

with

straw, but

the

on

small

other

towns,

side of Abba,

behind

settlement

when
Gos-Abu-Guma,
thej^
to the land of the blacks, they found
it
came
had carried
quite deserted, for the Dervishes
off

nearly all the

slave-markets

and

natives

of

Khartum,

sold them

in the

Omdurman,

and

places. Those who escaped capture hy

hiding in the thickets and in the woods died of
unusually
hunger and smallpox, which was
prevalentalong the White and Blue Nile. The
other

Dervishes
had

died of it.
and
with

was

the

there

about

distance

After

that

were

formerly

now
plantationswere
jungle. Only wild animals

Sometimes

'

Places

banana

because

the

said that "entire nations"

themselves

again resumed.

no

the

of

one

to

hunt

the children

sunset

herds

collapseof

was

elephants,that

kingdom

of the

Dervishes

ghum
sorered
cov-

plied,
multithem.
saw

in

looked
cation
communi-

THE

THROUGH

DESERT

205

rocks, slowly walking to their

as
Hatim, who was
watering-place.As soon

like

moving

caught sightof them

ivory-trader,
his lips,
tially
sighed,and said confiden-

formerly an
he smacked

Stasch:

to

"Maschallah!

they
Mahdi
to

forbidden

has

the emirs

the

Khartum

to

come

while

worth

not

are

valuable

How

they are ! But

hunting now, for the
Egyptian merchants

there

so

is

no

except

one

buy elephanttusks."
Besides
seeing elephants,they also came
which
off, treading heavily
across
ran
giraffes,
and swaying their long necks, as though they
to

were

lame.

and

herds

Behind
of

caravan

quently.
fre-

more

short of meat

was

out
them, but nearlyalways with-

for these animals

success,

and

the

hunted

men

buffaloes

antelope appeared

When
the

Gos-Abu-Guma

fleet to be outwitted

or

are

watchful

too

cornered-

meted
somewliat
out
Usually the food was
of the land having
sparingly,for in consequence
been depopulated,
could not buy millet,
one

bananas

or

luk and

the Dinka

in

fish,which

the negroes

tribes used

exchange

for

of the Schil-

sell to

to

glass beads and

vans
cara-

copper

wire.
Hatim

though
once,
were

saw

he

that the children did not

kept

Gebhr

on

they had halted

taking the saddles off
when

struck

Stasch, and

laid

the

on

Hatim

ground, and

gave

short

starve,

rations, and

for the

night and

the camels, Gebhr

ordered
him

him

to

be

thirtyblows

THROUGH

206

with
For

days

two

walk

rod

bamboo

DESERT.

THE

the sole of each

on

cruel

the

foot.

could

Sudanese

only

his toes, and he revenged himself on

Kali who had been given
slave named

on

young

him.
felt almost

first Stasch

At

left the infected

had

Omdurman

passing through
always longed to see.
now

was

had

had,

that

and

countries
His

they

that he
which

he

tution
strong consti-

this time, withstood

to

up

glad

the

fatigueof the journey quite well, and having

On
plenty to eat, he regainedhis lost energy.
the march, and also during the halts for rest,
he would
again whisper to his littlesister that
it was
possibleto escape by way of the White
Nile, and that he had by no means
given up
this idea.
Three

But

he

had

weeks

Omdurman.
the fever
and

and

hands

had

now

Nell

worried

her health.

about

passed since they had

had

not

been

of

getting tanned

waxen

look.

Stasch

with the assistance of Hatim,

well cared for and
but she missed

it had

transparent, and

more

saw

that she had

left

stricken with

yet, but her face had become

as

instead

more

was

thin,

become

her

and

Dinah,

that she
every

little

was

comfort,

the

desert air. The

health-giving
damp, hot climate, togetherwith the fatigueof
the journey,sapped stillmore
the strengthof
the delicate child.
When

Stasch
they reached Gos-Abu-Guma
began giving her half a small quininepowder
daily,and he was
greatlytroubled when he

he had

thought that

able to get any

for it,because

that he would

it

there

But

more.

most

was

207

of this medicine

enough

not

long and

last very

to

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

was

necessary

be

not
no

help

to

take

times he
At
precautionsagainst the fever.
have yieldedto fear and despairhad it
would
not been for the hope that Smain, if he wanted
for his own
to exchange them
children, would
have to find a more
healthyplacethan Fashoda
for them

But

live in.

to

seemed

misfortune
The

continually.

before

day

they

felt weak

Fashoda, Dinah, who

its victims

to follow

arrived

when

in

they were

suddenly fainted and fell off

the camel while opening Nell's travelingbag,
which
they had brought with them from FayIt was
oum.
only with the greatest difficulty
in Omdurman,

that Chamis
did

she

and

Stasch

resuscitated her.

But

regain consciousness until toward

evening, and then only long enough to bid a
not

tearful
die.

Gebhr
off the

ears

to

Smain

as

That

way.

died

on

Stasch
she

good-by

and

was

thorns

to

her

wanted

beloved
very

little

much

lady

to

cut

remains, so that he could show

a
was

proof

that she had

what

was

journey.
Nell, Hatim

buried

with

But

done
at

died
to

and
the

them
on

the

slaves who

the

did not

request of
allow this,and

honor, and

stones

and

piled on her grave to protect it

from hyenas. The children now
felt even
more
lonely,for in losingher they had lost the only
soul who

were

stood

near

to

them

and

who

was

de-

208

THROUGH

voted

to

THE

them.

To

the

On

journey

of the

week

following day, toward

reached
Mahdists

huts

which

her.

begun.

the

noon,

van
cara-

it in ruins.

in the open
air or in
been hastilybuilt of grass and
settlement had been completely

The

fire three

destroyed by

days

before.

but the smoke-blackened

remained

clay huts

the round

lowing
fol-

bivouacked

had

branches.

had

found

but

Fashoda,

The

tried in vain to comfort

Stasch

sixth

The

Nell

it was
especially
during the night and the

cruel blow, and

day

DESERT

and

wooden

ing
Nothwalls

shed

of
the

at

edge, which during the time of the

Egyptian rule had been used as a storehouse
for ivory,and in which at the present time lived

water's

of

leader

the

He

Tamala.

was

the Mahdists,

but,

on

The

he

was

of Calif Abdullah,

most

personal friend
hospitableto

the children, but

told them

emir, Seki

respectedby

was

enemy

hand,

emir

old sheik and

who

man

secret

other

the

Hatim.

Dervishes, the

the

at the

the
ginning
be-

piece of

unwelcome

an

very

of

news.

Smain
before

was

he

longerin

no

had

started

on

Fashoda.

Two

days

expeditionafter

an

slaves in the district lying southeast

of the Nile,

and

return,

no

knew

one

when

he

would

for

the next

settlement

had

been

deserted, so

that

it

necessary

to

seek

merchandise

in

was

human

that not

beings at
very

with which

great distance.

far from

Fashoda

country the Dervishes

lies

It is true

Abyssinia,

were

at

war.

THROUGH
But

Smain, who

did

not

dare

had

warlike

Under

the soldiers of

by

had

to

the children.

decide what

chieflyduring

undertake

soon

has steamers

and

Nell.

and

must

men

the south,

is in Lado, where

soldiers. Hatim, you

You
the order to go.
must
durman, and then not a human

There

are

he

brought

return

me

left in Fashoda.

on

had

the emir

which

Pasha, who

against Emin

with

carried

was

long expeditionto

and

to be done

Hatim, "with all my

to

of

John.

King

was

to

supper,

also invited Stasch

"I," said he

inhabitants

consultation

The

were

Seki Tamala

these circumstances

Hatim

men,

borders, which

the

cross

209

hundred

only three

strictlyguarded by the
the land and

DESERT

THE

to

Om-

being will

be

comfortable

no

nothing to eat, and besides, it

that white
is a very unhealthy place. I know
people do not take smallpox, but the fever
houses

here and

would

kill these children in

orders

received

"I

answered
them

here, and

"and

Hatim,

reason

"Then

what

"Instead

to

of

is to be

Smain

Omdurman.

with

the

them

brought

to

trouble

friend,the
to

like them

me,

and

to die."

done?"
behind

human

people who

Smain

my

shoda,"
Fa-

certainly
happen!"

leavingthem

there is not

But

not

will

that is what

"But

where

I should

to

I have

reallyneed

myself further about them.

Greek
Kaliopuli,commended
for that

time."

them

bring

to

I do not

month's

has

gone

in

Fashoda,

being,send them
brought them to
off toward

the

THROUGH

210

DESERT

THE

where the
dry and high district,
fever is not so fatal as here by the river."
"But how will they find Smain?"
"By following the track of the fires. He
will set fire to the jungle,in the first place,so

mountains,

to

as
can

to

into the ravines, where it

drive the game
be easilyhunted
down, and secondly,to

the heathen
frightenaway
where
they have fled from
and

so

"But
"He
a

it vnM

will

not

go

remain

after two

on

him?"

to overtake

they be able

he has to smoke

place,as

the thickets,

their pursuers
be difiicult to find Smain."

will sometimes

he should

from

whole

But

meat.
or

certainlyovertake him."
"But
why should they run

week
even

in

if

three

days,they

after

him?

will

will return

"No;
for

to

Fashoda."

if he should

slaves he

be successful

will take

them

to

in his hunt

the towns

to

"

the market
"Then

He

what

"Remember
if the
either succumb

is to be done?"

that

when

children
to

two

we

remain

the fever

or

here
starve

leave

shoda,
Fa-

they will
to death."

prophet,that is true!"
So there was
nothing else to do but send the
children on a new
expedition.Hatim, who had
ried,
worproved himself a good man, was especially
whose crueltyhe had
fearingthat Gebhr
discovered during the journey would
wreak
"By

the

"

"

his vengeance

on

Tamala, of whom

them.
even

But

his

the terrible Seki

own

soldiers stood

THE

THROUGH

212

the

But

had

siderable
preparationsfor departuretook contime, especiallybecause the children

journey,and

the Arabs

so

to ride

were

could

Camels

to rest.

Nell

DESERT

not

and

be used

also Stasch

Hatim

and

horses, while Kali, Gebhr's

on

slave, and Nell's servant, who

"Mea," at Stasch's suggestion were
foot.

for this

called

was

to

go

on

also

supplied a donkey, which

for the girl,and also
carried a tent intended
enough provisionsto last the children three
could give them no more.
days. Seki Tamala
kind

Nell

of ladies' saddle
of

out

The

palm

children

and

was

bamboo

constructed

for

mats.

spent three days in Fashoda

their

ous
journey,but the numerof gnats by the river made
ther
furswarms
a
stay impossible. During the day there
a
were
large blue flies,which,
great many
some
although they did not bite,were
very troublebecause they got into one's ears, eyes, and

recoveringfrom

Stasch

mouth.

had

once

heard

in Port

Said

that gnats and fliesspread fever and the germs

of an
eye disease,so at last he besought Seki
Tamala

let them

to

the

as
especially
to begin.

start

ing

do

possible,

as

soon

springrainy season

CHAPTER

"Q^TASCH,why

as

was

about

XVIII
we

always ride

without

find-

Smain?"

"I don't know.

rapidlyso

as

to

Most
lose

no

likelyhe
time

in

is

traveling
reaching the

he

districts where

Would

capture the

can

glad if

be

you

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

slaves.

most

reallyjoin his

could

we

213

division?"

sign that

she

"Why

would

would

Smain

them

mercy

"Yes,
And

any

the ninth

was

now

few

day

jungle

camped,

crunched

material

marked

days

direction.
for

facilitate

they

same

came

they

had

of

Stretches
where

had

he

discarded

to

came

steppe,

fire in every
indistinct and confusing,

were

had

cornering

traveled

wide

carried the

traces

Smain

apparently divided

his

small

in order to
groups
and
obtaining
game

the

did

not

around

placefrom
upon

who

at first found

march.

know

take, and it often seemed

had

This

journey. Gebhr,

bones, and various

provisions.Gebhr

to the

cheeks.

wan

places

into several

company

to

her

of the

and

later

The

of

his route.

the wind

where

down

Smain's

of

burned

Five

so

None

better.

no

the leader of the caravan,

traces

Kali

for their slaves."

flowed

tears

was

is

prised.
sur-

right."

are

you

perhaps

dare beat this poor

not

terribly."
"Probably
has

Stasch,

Smain

of

in the presence

"Because
Gebhr

like it?" asked

you

as

willing.

most

was

head

littleblonde

her

girlnodded

The

in

which

woods, and

through them, they

which
as

if the

tion
direcvan
cara-

circle,returning
it started.

after

entered

Then

eled
having travrocky coun-

THE

THROUGH

214

try, where
slabs

or
were

the

ground

DESERT
with

covered

was

flat

tance
dissmall level stones, that for some
strewn
so
thicklythat they reminded

the children of the roads in town.

The

vegetation
was
scanty. Only here and there, in the
clefts of the rocks, grew
euphorbias,mimosas,
and

and

rarer

pale green trees, which

language, called "m'ti."

slimmer

Kah, in the Ki-swahili

horses

The

fed with

were

trees.

In

this land

rivers

and

streams,

and

now

then, and

in the cavities and

Smain's
and

the

it not

fortunatelyit

rained

very

sufficient water

was

clefts of the rocks.

frightenedoff the game,

have died of hunger had

would

been for

small

were

there

party had

caravan

few

there
but

the leaves of these

number

flew into the air every

birds that

of Pentaren

second

from

between

the

evening the trees were

had only to shoot in
full of them that one
so
their direction to bring some
of them down, and
not
they served for food. Besides, they were
shy, for they let people approach them, and
were
so
clumsy and heavy in preparing for
that Saba, who generallyran
in advance
flight
of them
of the caravan,
caught and killed some
nearly every day. Chamis killed a number of
horses' feet.

Toward

these birds with

he had

Hatim,
shoda.

stolen from
on

But

the
he

and
cartridges,
he thought of

flintlock musket

his old

road

one

of the Dervishes
from

Omdurman

that
under
to

Fa-

shot for twenty

worried when
much

only had enough

he felt very
would
what

happen

when

they

THE

THROUGH

DESERT

215

Notwithstanding the game had

frightenedaway, they occasionallysaw
lope
of gazels,a beautiful species of ante-

used up.

were

been

herds

the

did not

men

could
how

know

Africa.

central

over

animals, however,

These
and

all

is found

which

be

only
to

shot,

Stasch's

use

give it to him.
also began to be worried
But the Sudanese
the way.
about the lengthof time they were
on
he even
Sometimes
thought of returning to
to miss Smain
Fashoda, for if they were
they
might get lost in the wilderness and not only
suffer from hunger, but be in danger of attack
by wild animals and stillwilder negroes, who
of having been
vowed
account
on
vengeance
gun,

and

would

for slaves.

hunted
Seki

Gebhr

Tamala

But

had

not

as

he did not

undertaken

Pasha, because

againstEmin

present when the conversation

alarmed
had taken place,he was
of

appearing

had ordered
and

who

before

the

know

expedition

an

he had

at the

was

bringthe children to Smain,

given him a letter to take to him,

had

heart with

he did not
Stasch

dailycovered

with the scourge.

his cruel master

vain

who

him to

to fillhis

on

subject
thought

powerful emir,

threateningthat if he did not execute

he would
be hanged. All
faithfully
Though

been

not

that

on

that

did he

bitterness

dare to vent
and

his

Nell, poor

his orders

this
and

bined
com-

rage.

ments
disappointKali's back

with blood from

The

slave

in fear and

clasphim by

being beaten
always approached
trembling. But in

the feet and

kiss his

THE

THROUGH

216

DESERT

his face before him.

hands, and fall on

Neither

humilitynor groans softened the stony heart ; for

the slightest
on
pretext,and sometimes without
at all,the scourge
tore the flesh
any provocation
of the unhappy boy. During the nighthis feet
chained

were

horse, attached

to

amused

Chamis.

Stasch

revolted

not

it

by

run

his teeth and

clenched

rope,

which

but

when

he

he

still more

Gebhr's

greatly

noticed

simply

silent.

was

Kali

perceivedthat they both

him, and he began to grow

with

During

away.

Nell shed tears for poor Kali.

iantly
in his heart, and
often val-

championed Kali,
this annoyed Gebhr

that

holes

with two

alongsideof

walked

he

daytime

wood

pieceof

that he could

in it,so

the

to

sympathized
very

fond

of

them.
For

days they

two

rocky

ravine

From

the

enclosed

ravine

but now
rainy season,
dry. On both sides,up
a

little grass,

and
into
went
some

there

even

had

collected in the

it could
filled

was

ridden

through a
by high, steep rocks.

which

stones

wildest confusion
the

had

great

a
a

few

plainlybe seen that

with water
during the
the ground was
quite
againstthe cliffs,
grew
many

trees.

thorns, and
Gebhr

had

here

ridden

this stony gorge

because
it continually
lead to
up hill and he thought it would

height from

easier to

see

of Smain's

became

which, by day, it would

the smoke

and

be

by night the flames

vine
camp-fire. In some
places the rathat only two
horses
so
narrow

THROUGH
could walk
into small

THE

DESERT

217

abreast,while in others it expanded

circular

valleysenclosed

all sides

on

by high stone walls, on which sat large apes,

that played with one
another, and on seeingthe
It
sun

and

barked

caravan

five o'clock

was

already low

was

their teeth.

showed

afternoon.

in the

The

Gebhr

in the west.

had

begun to think of their nightquarters. He

hoping to reach a small valley,in which
could

and

erect

zareba

the horses

and

with

wild

the

surround

the

he

caravan

hedge of pricklymimosas
tacked
protect them from being at-

acacias, to

by
barking at

to

"

was

beasts.

Saba

in advance,

ran

monkeys, which,

seeing him,

on

and
he disappeared
restlessly,
time and againin the windings of the ravine, his
loud barks being repeated by the echoes.
Suddenly Saba became silent. Soon after he
his back bristling,
came
up at a gallop,the hair on

moved

The

about

his tail down,

and

Bedouins

Gebhr

and

something must
they had looked
on

But

when

reined

have

in their

up

to the

knew

at

frightenedhim, but

which
a
a

lion.

had

horses, and

largerock in the
was
fairly broad
They could not

hundred

after

tinued
questioningly
they conto investigate
the reason.
passed a small bend they

for

moment

if rooted to the spot at the

presenteditself before them.
a

that

once

feet from

middle

mained
re-

sightthat

as

On

horses.

around

their way

they

ran

of the ravine,

at

this

place, lay

have

been

more

him.

As

soon

than
as

the

THE

THROUGH

218

powerful animal

the riders and

saw

legs and stared

his hind

on

rose

DESERT

gleaming

rays

of

shone

head

and

The
eyes.
his enormous

on

with

them

at

the

settingsun
shaggy breast,

resembled

lighthe

in this red

and

he

horses

of those

one

the entrances
to the
sphinxes that ornament
ancient Egyptian temples.
The
frightenedhorses began to rear, turn
backward.

around, and prance

what

to

perplexed, cried

out

terrified riders did not

and

frightened and

and
with

"Allah

voice:

one

astonished

The
know

Bismillah!

do,
as

Allah

Akbar!"
The

king, motionless

desert

and

Gebhr

had

to

Egypt

the route, and

do

to

But

is to

was

from

brought ivoryand

rubber

and

in

it was

then

is to be

"Allah
"He

be heard

was

almost
follow

caravan

the

beast.

which

there

back

and

run

certain that the

them.

questionwas

he will back
out

move

asked:

out !"

of the

dead silence. Not

way."
a

sound

could

except the snorting of the horses and

the party.
the rope,"suddenly said

rapid breathingof

"Loose

from

done?"

Perhaps

will not

There

the

placefrom

the feverish

more

"What

around

of exit but to turn

terrible beast would

Once

only thing for

detour

chants
mer-

obstruct

that lions sometimes

make

means

no

away,

heard

they were

now

had

that the

veyed
sur-

foot.

to

Chamis

who

Sudan

head

from

them

bronze,

as

Kali

from

"Give
The

had

Bedouins

Chamis, who

Said

in Port

could

Stasch

well

how

surprise

from
speechless

were

words, but

seen

I will kill the lion!"

the rifle and

me

at these

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

220

diately
shoot, imme-

cried out:

at

ceased

once

Chamis

the gun

hurriedlyopened

from

which

Stasch

took

danger

further

make

to

hastilyhanded

and

shooting at Karoon

of their terrible

in face

and

will kill the lion!"

He

gun!

also recalled the

Gebhr

Lake,

the

him

"Give

out

to

the
a

he

resistance,

boj^,while
cartridgecase,
the

handful.

boy jumped off his horse, shoved the

vanced.
cartridgesinto the barrel of the gun, and adWhile
taking his first steps forward
he felt stunned, and picturedhimself and Nell
to
from
with their throats cut
ear
ear
by
The

's knife.

Gebhr

But

in made
danger they were
everythingelse. A lion was
he first caught sightof the

terrible
to

When

and

and

the imminent

soon

him

ous
oblivi-

before

him

beast thing
everyHis cheeks
became black before his eyes.
felt icy cold, his legsgrew
nose
heavy as

lead, and his breath threatened

short, he was
frightened! In

always preferredto
than

stories of lion

look at
stand

looked

picturesin
in

In

give out.
Said

Port

he

read

something else rather

hunts, but it is one thing to
and another thing to
a book

face to face with

at him

to

monster

such

as

surprisewhile drawing

up

now

its

broad, shield-like forehead.

The

Arabs

were

breathless, for

never

in

THROUGH

THE

DESERT

221

their lives had

side

one

they seen anything hke this. On

small boy,who, in contrast
to the high

rock, looked still smaller, and on the other a

powerful beast, shininglike gold in the rays of
the

magnificent, threatening, really a

call
with a largehead," as the Sudanese

sun,

"Lord
him.

will

iron

Stasch's

controlled

quickly

trembling limbs, and he advanced

seemed

It

him

to

throat, until he put

Now

the time

was

Should

he

he stood?
the

stillnearer,
far

off!

brought

to have

the

he aim?

shot!

he advanced

he

went

Still too

"

the strong scent

him

to

shorter

So

fortysteps
thirty! twenty! The

one

where

The

"

"

aim.

take

to

fire from

or

the

surer

in his

were

one's wits about

should

Where

distance

the gun

up

still nearer

go

stillfurther.

if his heart

as

his

wind

of the

now

wild

animal
The

boy stopped.

"A

ball

between

"In

thought he.

ej^es,

or

lost!"

am

of the Father

and

lion got up, stretched himself, and

his head.
His mouth
began to open

ered
low-

his eyes

to

the

name

"

of the Son
The

the

Who

narrow.

that dared

come

he crouched

on

so

was

near?

his hind

and

this

tiny being
Ready to spring,

legs,his

paws

slightly

twitching
At

this

straightat
"

and

instant
the middle

Stasch

sighted

of the animal's

pulledthe trigger.The

the

gun

forehead

shot resounded.

THROUGH

222

The

THE

lion reared

over

"

his back

on

to

rose

with

air, and in his death

rock, plunging down

DESERT

height fell

his full

his

four

agony

paws
rolled

in the
off the
of

bottom

the

to

"

the

ravine.
For

few

minutes

still kept him

Stasch

that
of the gun, but when
he saw
the twitching had ceased, and that the yellow

within range

body lay

there motionless

the gun

and

The

walls

loud

put in another

stiff,he opened

cartridge.

the cliffs still rang

out with
ins
Gebhr, Chamis, and the Bedou-

of

echoes.
could

and

first realize what

had

happened,
for it had rained during the previous
of the humidity in the
night, and on account
air the smoke
hid everythingin the narrow
vine.
raBut
when
it disappearedthey shouted
for joy and tried to rush up to the boy, but
not

their efforts

at

in

were

vain, for

could force the horses to take

Stasch

no

even

ward.
step for-

one

turned, took in the four Arabs

glance,and fixed his eyes on Gebhr.

"Enough!" he said,clenchinghis
"The
shall murder
And

again

earth

on

power

measure

is more

neither Nell

suddenly

he

nor

teeth together.

full. You

than
any

at

else."

one

felt his cheeks

and

nose

different kind
cold, but this was
a
of cold
but by a terrible,
not caused by fright,
fixed resolve,that suddenly hardened
his heart
grow
"

like steel.

"Yes, it must

be !" he said to himself.

"They

THE

THROUGH

DESERT

223

all villains,
hangmen, murderers

are

and

"

Nell

is in their hands!"
drew
and
approached them
then
suddenly raised the gun

He
pace

repeated.

kill her I" he

shall not

"You

"

"

back

his

to

shoulder.

shots, following in quick succession,

Two

echoed

through

ground

like

with

The

his

bloody

Bedouins

two

bend

in the

them, and

and

fell to the

leaned

Chamis

the horse's

struck

forehead.

screamed

and
fright,

with

their horses, rushed

springingfrom
The

sand.

of

in his saddle

forward
neck

bag

Gebhr

the ravine I

ravine

at

Stasch.

directlybehind

was

had

dently
they fled there, as Stasch arhoped, they would have been able to
blinded
But
by fear and rage,
escape death.
they thought to reach the boy and stab him
before
he had time to reload.
Fools!
They
had scarcely
the trigger
gone a few steps when
clicked again. The ravine rang with the echoes

of the shots

the

to

and

both

fell face downward

men

ground, wriggling

like

fish out

of

water.

One

of them

was

shot in the throat

dangerously wounded; he
supported himself on his hands,

very

Dead
This
who

buried

Saba

moment

on

screamed

silence

his
in

not

again and

but at the

same

his teeth in his neck.

ensued.

interruptedby

was

rose

and

knees

with

groans

from

outstretched

disjointedKi-swahili

Kali,
hands

sentences:

THE

THROUGH

224

Kubwa!'

"Bwana
bad

did

Stasch
while
Nell's

of
of

do

there

wondering

kill

in

as

and

face

cries.

daze.

her

For

Then

he

saw

wide-

frightened,
toward

Springing

eyes.

the

Kali!"
his

to

Kill

lion!

the

not

listen

not

little

pale

open,
he

stood

he

Kill

But

people!

DESERT

her,

cried:
"Don't

be

True,

they

wild,

the

'Great

were

uninhabited

black

Man.

afraid,

country.

Nell!

free,

We

but

solitude,

are

free

lost

free,
in

in

the
the

Nell!"
midst
heart

Through

Desert

the

PART

II

CHAPTER

Stasch

BEFORE
disposeof
the

could
negro
young
and
bodies of the Arabs

and

the

the dead

of the hon

carcass

the

night was
approaching.
possibly pass the night
although Kali, stroking
his

had

sun

But

nearly set, and

they could not
and
corpses,
and
stomach

the

near

his chest

pointed to the dead lion as he

smacked
his lips,and repeated, "Msuri^ nyama"
("good, good meat") Stasch would not permit
him to touch the "nyama," but told him to catch
with

hand,

the horses, which

the

had

The

guns.

black

cleverly,for
the valley in

very

into

"

continued

to

run

instead
which

the side of the hill and

corners

and

In

manner

this

and

the

But
found.

headed

other

boy

he
two

and

Gebhr's
Besides

so

executed
of

away

took

report of
this

order
them

following
they would

case

further

run

at the

away

"

have

he climbed
short

cut

up

across

off the

frightened animals.
caught two of them
easily,
he

drove

Chamis'
these

toward
horses

there

Stasch.
could

remained

not

be

four

which
counting the mule
carried
and
the baggage, and
which
the tent
had been very
calm
throughout all these tragical
found
behind
The
events.
a
donkey was

saddle-horses,

not

225

THROUGH

^26

DESERT

THE

quietlygrazing on the grass that grew

in the bottom of the valley.
horses are
The
Sudan
to
quite accustomed
the sight of wild
animals, though they are
corner

afraid

of lions.

Therefore

persuasion to induce

of

and

the

pool

of

them

blood.

snorted, and drew

it took
to

The

their heads

of the bloodstained

great deal

the rock

pass

horses
back

stones, but

at

no

neighed,
the sight
did

sooner

the

donkey prickup his ears and pass by quietly

than
they followed.
Though night had now
begun to fall,they walked on for a while, and
only stopped on reaching a place where the
into a small amonce
more
phitheater
valley narrowed
mostly covered with thorns and
pricklymimosa bushes.
a

"Sir," said the young

fire,a large fire."

negro,

And

Sudanese

he had
it to

he took

removed
cut

broad
from

down

the thorns

After

he

wood

until he had

through
Then

lightedthe
the

Gebhr's

fire he

"Kali

will make

sword

corpse

which

and

used

large bushes.
continued to chop

and

to last

sufficient amount

night.

he and

Stasch

steep side of the

began to
valleya small

set up
tent

on

the

for Nell,

they enclosed with a broad and high

with
or
pricklyhedge shaped like a half moon,
which

so-called "Zareba."

descriptionsgiven by
African travelers that they are thus able to protect
themselves against the onslaughtsof wild
Stasch

knew

from

THROUGH

228

THE

tune, in which

DESERT

he

frain,
invariablyrepeated the re"Simha
kufa, siinha kufa," which in the
Ki-swahili language means
"The lion is dead."

But
Bibi"

neither the "Great

felt

sleepy,and

Man"

had

Stasch

to

before he could induce her to taste

bird and
said
she

she

grainsof

could

neither

littleof the

the boiled

eat

nor

Nell

coax

She

corn.

sleep,and

that

only wanted a drink. Stasch was afraid she

soon
vinced
congetting the fever, but he was
her hands were
to the contrary, as even

was

cold.
go

few

the "Small

nor

He

eventuallyable

was

into the tent, where

to

induce

her to

he had

arranged a place
her to lie down, after having at first carefully
looked to see if there were
any scorpions

for

As
for him, he sat down
in the grass.
on
a
his arm,
with his rifle on
stone
to guard her
from

an

onslaughtof

fire should

and

repeatedto

himself

killed Gebhr
killed

I have

he felt as

though

these words

to

their

they were

case

the

protection. He
greatlyexhausted,
and over
again,"I

by fatigueand

overcome

animals, in

insufficient

prove

was

have

wild

and
a

Chamis

lion and

some

him

over

one

at

are

the Bedouins
free."

else were

the

He

only

same

time

But

whispering

that he could

and

meaning.

free, and

we

and

not

knew

prehend
com-

that

something

happened, which filled him with

uneasiness
and pressedlike a heavy weight on
At last his thoughts became
tinct.
indishis chest.
For a while he gazed at the moth
which
hovered over
the flame, and at last he began to
terrible had

nod

and

awoke

DESERT

THE

THROUGH
doze.

Kali, too,

but

napping,

was

then and

and

now

every

229

threw

branches

into the fire.

The

dark, and

night was

is very

what

"

usual
un-

equator very quiet. Nothing

could be heard but the cracklingof the burning
of the flames as they
thorns and the flickering
which
lightedup the promontoriesof the cliffs,
the

near

formed

"

The

half circle.

shine

did not

moon

but millions
into the interior of the gorge,
The air had become
strange stars twinkled.

he

was

alarmed

lest the cold

so

and
chilly,

awoke, sleepyand

cold that Stasch

of

might

little

harm

Nell.

However,

he

that he had

tent, the
from

shawl

Fayoum.

reassured

was

Dinah

had

in the

taken

also remembered

He

bered
remem-

the rug

left for her, on

which

he

when

away

that

they

unknowingly been ridingup hill from the

of the Nile, and
time they quittedthe banks
after several days of
that consequentlynow,
travel,they ought to be fairlyhigh up, so as to
fested
be beyond any
danger from fever, which inthe land by the river. The penetrating
chilliness of the night seemed
to substantiate
his opinion.
He
This
tered
enthought gave him courage.

had

the
was

tent

moment

to

sleeping peacefully,then

settled down
once

for

more,

nearer

and

he

if Nell

returned,

the fire,and

in fact

Suddenly Saba,

hear

who

soon

had

began to doze
fell fast asleep.
stretched

himself

THROUGH

230

sleep
growling.
out

to

Kali

DESERT

THE

feet, aroused

his

at

also, and

awoke

both

him

began

by
look

to

anxiouslyat the dog. He lay there tense as the

lated
stringof a bow, prickingup his ears, with dithe air,and staringinto
nostrils,
sniffing
in the direction

the darkness

had

The

come.

stood

hair

from

his neck

on

which

and

they

his back

end, his chest expanded with his heavy

on

breathing,and
The

he

growled.
slave hurriedly threw

young

branches

some

the fire.

on

"Sir," he whispered,"take

your

take

gun,

gun."

your

Stasch took up his rifle and crouched in front

of the fire so that he could get a better view of
the dark bend
of the gorge.
Saba's growls

changed
there
and

into

was

short

sound

no

Stasch

heard

bark.

For

then from

little while

distance Kali

dull

tramping, as though
the fire.
large animals were
running toward
This
tramping resounded
through the night,
echoed

from

cliff to cliff,
and

increased

every

second.

Stasch

felt that great danger was

ing.
approachBut what could it be?
Perhaps buffaloes

or

out

way

of

couple of

them

of the gorge.

shot
and

rhinoceroses

were

not

tryingto

In this
successful

causing them

nothing could save the

are
justas vicious

to

caravan,

if the report

case

in

retrace

find their

frightening
their

steps,

for these

and liable to attack

mals
anione

THE

THROUGH
as

DESERT

231

fear of

and

they have no
destroyeverythingthat comes

animals

fire,and

of prey;

in their

way.

But

if it were

what

division of Smain's

pedition,
ex-

the

which, after having discovered

in the gorge,

corpse

could

Stasch
to which
to be

make

not

be the better

to

be in this division he would

not

were

would

either murder

would

be stillworse

time it

same

happened
likelyspare

most

there the Dervishes

them

at

once

or

them

torture

"

as

himself

him that if Smain

them, but if he

derer!
mur-

quick death, or

"

the

his mind

up

put in prisonagain. At the

occurred
to

would

hunting for

was

"

which

before
terribly

putting them to death.

"Oh," thought he, "let us pray that they are
animals and not human
beings."
Meanwhile
the tramping increased, and
changed into the clatter of hoofs, until at last
out of the darkness appeared fiery
eyes, dilated
disheveled from running.
nostrils,and manes
"Horses!"

exclaimed

Kali.

and
Chamis'
really Gebhr's
horses.
running at a wild gallop,
They came
obviously driven on by fright,but as they
into the light and
rushed
their captive
saw
friends they reared, neighed,pawed the ground
These

with

were

their hoofs, and

then

for

while

stood

motionless.
Stasch

shoulder.

did

not

remove

He

was

sure

the disheveled

head

of

his gun
that behind
a

lion

or

from

his

the horses

the flat skull

of

THE

THROUGH

232
a

DESERT

But
at any minute.
appear
in vain. The horses graduallyquieted

leopardmight

he waited

and

down,

what

important, Saba
stretchinghimself out
dogs, turned round and

was

more

stopped sniffing,and
after

the

manner

round

on

the

of

spot, curled

same

his eyes.

If animals

horses, it

was

back

turned

of

evident

prey
that

had

closed
the

chased

they

smoke

smellingthe

on

and

up

had

slowly
seeingthe

or

light reflected on the rocks.

have fright"At any rate, something must
ened

fire

them
"because

they were
of the

corpses

has

corpses.
and the

they

were

"That
saddles
and

the

entered
horses

great
the

have

be, but

pushed
next

and

to
at

the others
and

not

because

them

aside
the

of

some

cliffs he

same

time

the

harnesses

be afraid ; the

thorns

stole out
Nell

"
"

the

take

bring the
Do

the

them,

afraid," said the boy, and

not

the

reach

from

away

now

and

off the horses

water-bagshere.
will protect you."

"Kali

run

imagines
hyenas and

to

gorge

go

the

gun

many

hyenas did not pursue

devouring Gebhr and
may

past the

run

"Kali

boy,

happened.
The

Kali;

to

and lion."

men

jackals have

Stasch

afraid to

not

"Sir," answered
what

said

much,"

very

of

that
the

stepped out

he

as
were

hedge,
of the

tent.

Saba

arose

the

at once,

sniffed at her, and

caress.
customary
stretched out her hand, but drew

At

pected
ex-

first she

it back

imme-

THROUGH

THE

DESERT

233

diately,
thoroughly disgusted. "Stasch, what
has happened?" said she.
"Nothing; those two horses came
running up
Did
their tramping awaken
here.
j^ou?"
awake
"I was
before, and was
justgoing to
leave the tent, but
"But

".

what?"

"I

thought
"I!
Angry

would

you

with

her

angry."

be

j^ou?"

gazed at him with a

peculiarexpression,an expressionhe had

Nell raised
very
never

before.

seen

look

passed a
looks

and

eyes

he

of
saw

"She

is afraid

And

for
Then

Over

he

Stasch's

her words

from

that she

was

terrified.

of me,"

thought

he

even

thought that

he.

felt
after

fied.
quite satisall he

did not
who
Nell
accomplishedeven
but
him merely as a full-grown man,
terrible warrior, who
inspiresevery
"

fear

should

"

look

up

at

him

then

face

for
surprise,

moment

and

and

had

think
also

of

as

with

one

him.

caress

feelingof elation did not last long, for

his sad experiencehad taught him to observe
and so he noticed that the girl's
restless
closely,
eyes denoted not only fear,but a certain repugnance
because of what had occurred, in consequence
But

this

of
the

the

horrors

blood

that

she

that

had

had

witnessed

been

shed

and

this very

day.
He

also
ago

avoid

immediately remembered
she had

withdrawn

stroking Saba,

for

that

her hand

he

it

was

so

who

ment
moas

to

had

234

THROUGH

killed

one

THE

of the Bedouins.

like

thing to

read

Said

at Port

It

was

one

the American

about

killed the red-skinned

trappers who

Indians

West, and another

do likewise one's self,and to see men
in the Wild

the dozens
to

alive

were

last

that

feelingof
she

of hearts

forget to

who

reward

that is to be my

sure

am

thought Stasch; "but

will unconsciously
never

ill of what

think

repugnance.

that she will fear me,"

her heart

thing

expiringin their
Nell is very
"Yes, certainly
she will always continue to

and
terrified,

have

by

short time before

bloody agony.

much

the

was

feel it pressing

his chest.

nightmare on

Yes, that

Stasch himself

and did not

reason,

DESERT

done

I have

and

"

done

for all I have

in

for

her."
His heart

was

because

he knew

for Nell

he would

long

bowed

down

by

very

well

that

it

Therefore

ago.

he had suffered

so

been

have

was

these

thoughts,

if it

killed

have

fled

sake

that

or

for her

not

were

hunger and pain,which

much

only resulted in her standingthere frightened,

different from the little sister
changed,entirely
she

raised her eyes to

the old confidinglook gone, and in its

before, and

was

his with

who

now

expressionof intense
suddenly felt very unhappy.
stead

time

an

in his life he

moved;
eyes,
was

and
not

warrior

realized what

unconsciouslythe
if it had
at

not

all the

to weep,

he

been

proper

would

tears

Stasch

fear.

the

For
it

first
to

was

be

started to his

for the fact that it

thing for
most

fierce

likelyhave

THE

THROUGH

236

that if this threat had

franklytell you
I would

made

have

not

Gebhr

way

and

and

they had not found Smain

have continuallytortured
is awful

currycomb, and
slowly to death,

and

you

how

in the

returned

died

of the fever.

me

to

and

to

Nell, I did
of how

think

on

they

were

Now

we

ians

and

are

we

flee to
and

traces

many

Nell

if

Abyssinia.
savage,

saw

of
and

I shall protect

we

but

as

of

The

long as
delivery.
Abyssin-

Christians

are

of the Dervishes.

shall succeed,

Abyssinia. And
even

save

for she drew

clearly,
up closer
fought againstthe momentary

also enemies

well

it to be

continued:

black

are

keep
to

can

had

we

account."

certainlynot change, and

guide you as before; but
alive there was
no
hope

were

It

would

I could

"I shall
and

then

you.

do

your

this

and

as

not

understood

emotion

have

But

said that

that filled his heart.

he

est
mean-

deaths

our

the sadness

But

how

see

would

well

as

But

happened if

Gebhr

after

I was
only troubled
you.
And
in his face there

him.

us

have

Fashoda

have

to

lieve
I be-

that he beat you dailywith the

would
have tortured us both

to think

cruel, but I had

Did

sold

would

the least idea what

you

when

even

it otherwise.

Chamis

betrayedus

he

done

to the limit.

me

Kali

he tortured

have

not

drove

them

shot

been

not

long contemplatedit.

did, though I had

I would

DESERT

even

should

if

as
we

it is not

should

fall into Smain's

do not fear that he will take revenge

on

If you
very far
not

ceed,
suc-

hands,
us.

He

THE

THROUGH
has

he has
to do

seen

with

Smain
in

Gebhr

in his lifeseen

never

In fact,we

that Chamis

then

would

you

surely there

for

be

has Chamis
not

If

us.

tell

even

succeed

we

saved, and if not,

are

better off than

no

are

237

the Bedouins;

must

with

was

reachingAbyssinia we

even

or

only,but what

Chamis
him?

DESERT

now,

like

monsters

more

Nell, dear, don't be afraid

these in the world.

of me."

And
time

to

her confidence, and

gain

her, he

encourage

began

the

at

same

stroke

to

her

golden hair. The girl listened, at the same

time raisingher eyes shyly to his, for it was
evident that she wanted to say something, but
held back, hesitated, and felt afraid to speak.
last she bent her littlehead

At
her

hair

completely

softer tones

even

hid

than

down

so

far that

tiny face, and

her

in

she said;

before

"Stasch, dear!"
dearest!"
"What, my

they they will

"And

"

asked

"Those"

the killed."
are

you

saying?"

frightened I am
And
her palelipsbegan
Silence reigned. Stasch
"I

the

am

dead

"

could

return?"

Stasch, surprised.

"Who?"

"Nell, what

not

return

to

afraid."
to

tremble.

did not

believe that

life,but

as

it

was

night and

did

feel

his

their corpses
lay quite near, he
Cold chills went
little uneasy.
down

back.

"Nell, what

are

you

saying?" he repeated.

THROUGH

238

"Dinah
the

have

must

of
spirits
did

He
this

THE

not

DESERT

taught

finish the

dead

from

out

rang

afraid of

sentence, because

Suddenly through the

there

be

the dead."

something

moment

to

you

forth

at

terrible

happened.
silence of the night
the depths of the

place where the dead bodies

unearthly,terrible laughlay,an extraordinary,
ter,
betokening despair,joy, cruelty,sorrow,
the convulsive, spasmodic
sobs, and derision
man.
laughterof a lunatic or of a condemned
and
round
Nell
shrieked
flung her arms
gorge,

the

from

"

Stasch, and his hair stood

suddenly and began

But

them,

Kali

to

alone, who

raised

his head

on

end.

Saba

got up

growl.
was
near
quietlysitting
suringly
calmly and said reas-

"The

hyenas

are

laughing over

Gebhr

and

the lion."

CHAPTER

II

important experienceof the day, now

-*"
ended, and the impressionsof that night,
Stasch
had so completely exhausted
and Nell
that when
last they were
at
overcome
by
sleepthey both sleptso soundly that the girl
her appearance
outside
the tent
only made
about
somewhat
mid-day; but Stasch arose
rilHE

earlier from

the rug that was

stretched in front
of the fire,and while waiting for his little companion,

he ordered

Kali

to prepare

breakfast.

which,
to

was

rested in

the

away

apparitions
not
only

awoke

in mind.

also refreshed

body, but

Nell

leave

felt stronger, and as both

the place where
the Sudanese

been

shot

looked

better

wished

to

had

for dinner.

time

same

bright dayhght drove

of the night, and
both

The

who

the

at

serve

239

of the lateness of the hour,

account

on

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

and

and

their meal

immediately after

their horses

they mounted

remained,

rode away.
Africa

take
of

caravans

shade

of

so-called

large trees;

hours"

during which
looking down
one
seeking for some

silence

"

crawls
bird

back

into the
the

ceases,

all nature

these

the
from

the

to

kill.

sky as though
Every animal

bushes, the
of

the

could

go

threw

forward

without

to the

heat.

Stasch

gorge

for the

simple reason

could

be

and

seen

from

also because

would

did

afar

trickled

dissolved

through

the

into mist

stops,
hides,

cruel master.
of

one

the

they

so

exposing themselves
not

to

want

that if

to

on

Smain's

by

leave

of the rocks

in the

the

top they
division,

find water,

openings
under

insect

shadow,

dark

in the hollows

be easier for them

of the

song

stillness and

though protectingitself from a

But
they rode along the gorge,
of which

and

heat

of

as

walls

the

shines unmercifully,

sun

into utter

the

know,

you

hours

"

humming

sinks

are,

the

even

under

shelter

take

negroes

"white

rest, and

mid-day

their

in

day all travelers

this time of

Generallyat

which

ground

the influence

it

or

of the

of the

rays

be

road

The

sun.

always

time

depositsof sulphur from

seen

of which
the water
in consequence
smelt of it,and this reminded

disagreeablyof

very

Mahdists, who

led

ceptibly
imper-

the walls of the cliffs could

hill. On

up

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

240

in the

ices
crev-

dren
chil-

the two

Omdurman

and

their heads

rubbed

time;

to

with

the
ture
mix-

sulphur and grease.

the musky odor of
In other places came
of lianas hung from
civet-cats,and cascades
of the
the bed
to
high promontories down
spreading a sickening smell of vanilla.
gorge,
The
little travelers were
glad to halt in the
of these embroidered
shadow
curtains of purple
of

flowers, whose
There

horses.

time

from
the
the

the

served

leaves
were

animals

no

time

to

showed

Saba

mouths

to

and

the

eyes,

at

show

and

same

being quite accustomed

They

now

of

screwed

hopped,

their
to

backs.

or

temples in

with

their astonishment

scratched

little attention

teeth,

time

cept
ex-

idols

African

men

overgrown

their

to be seen,

squatted on
silhouettes against

"

These

the

for

monkeys

edges of the rocks, like

sky resembling fantastic
figuresthat adorn the corners

India.

food

as

up

and
blinked
But

manes

their
anger,

their

Saba,

seeing them, paid

to their threats.

made

rapid

progress.

Joy

from
drove
regained freedom
Stasch's breast the nightmare that had frightened
him during the night. Now
he was
only
disturbed by the thought as to what course
he
over

their

THROUGH
should

and

take

himself

place,in

which

and

prisonme
im-

new

threatened

the Dervishes

by

241

guide Nell

he could

how

of this

out

DESERT

THE

them,

could plan to aid them

during
thej''
the long journey through the desert to keep
from
them
perishingof hunger and thirst,and
in what direction they should direct their
lastly,
what

course

shoda

remembered

Stasch

steps.
Hatim,

heard

he

than

five

distance

from

Abyssinia was

not

the

that

to the frontier

of

days' journey
that this would

reckoned

with

when

that,

Famore

the bird flies,

and

as

be about

hundred

one

weeks
two
English miles. But it was now
therefore certain
they left Fashoda
; it was
they had not taken the shortest way, but
the search

after Smain

south.
of the

was

not

great
In

Nile, and

the

school

the

was

Bailors

ther
far-

the sixth

then, before

that

ridden

the

past

that

ing
that in describ-

made

was
ran

of

sure

whether

or

not

not

Smain

seek

them

wanted

to

known
un-

land

through swampy

passed by this particularstream,

He
also
rate he thought they had.
that when

almost

an

and flowed into the Nile.

"

quite

not

the

remembered

mention

River

Said

geography
thoroughly and carefully

Port

very

stream

the Soba

at

Stasch

taught, and

did

that

swamps.

of Africa

was

that

river which

hilly,
they had

become

since

much

on

journey they passed a

had

ground

that

remembered

He

day

led them

had

he

they

but

at

"

He

had
any

remembered

capture slaves he

in the eastern

extremity of

THROUGH

242

Fashoda,

the

as

DESERT

THE

that district had been

peopleof

destroyedby the Dervishes and

but he preferredthe road toward
districts which

had

been

not

the

smallpox;

the south, in

discovered

by

vious
pre-

Stasch concluded
expeditions.Therefore
that they were
probably followingin Smain's
tracks.
This thought at first frightened him,
and he began to consider
whether
they ought
which it was
not to desert the gorge,
tinued
plainconthe south, and march
toward
straight
toward

the east.

But

idea;

after

Smain's

be

whether

follow

to
at

company

behind

he gave

contrary, thought

would

course

days

the

on

consideration

some

with

the

footstepsof

distance of two

them, for it

Smain

up the
he, the safest

three

or

quite uncertain

was

his merchandise

of human

instead
route
beingswould return by the same
of taking the straight
toward
the Nile.
course
be
Stasch
also knew
that Abyssinia could
reached only from the south, where this country
tier,
borders the desert,and not by the eastern fronwhich
was
strictly
guarded by Dervishes.
Consequently he decided to advance as far as
possibletoward the south.
One might very likelycome
across
negroes

there, either those

those

who

banks

of

had

the White

choose

between

rather

deal

Mahdists

taken

with

; besides

refuge
Nile.

the

settled there

had

who

two

the

there

But

from

blacks

than

he also reckoned

the

if he had

evils, Stasch

or

to

would

with

that,in

the
case

"Far

far away

away,

Kali

"

does not

know

it is."

where

"In

land

like this?"

that country there is

and also mountains."

"No.

In

of water

is the

"What

great body

of this sheet of water?"

name

Great

call it 'The

"We

"

Water.'

had

thought that perhaps the boy

Stasch

Nyanza district,which

the Albert

from

come

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

244

present time

until the

hands, and

to

make

white

Pasha's

in Emin

was

of this he

sure

inquired

further.
"Doesn't

the old

"No;

people tell us
people,"and with

white

his

who

that

them, because he

seen

this Kali

raised

"Kali

not born

was

but Kali's father received them

and

have

they

counting one, two, three.

fingers,

never

has

smoking ships and soldiers?"

black

seen

chief live there

has

there,
them

gave

cows."

many

"What

"King
Stasch

is your father?"
of the Wa-hima."
not

was

that

thought

little flattered

had

he

prince

at

the

for

his

servant.

"Would

like to

you

"Kali

wants

"And

what

would

And

what

people?
"The

to

Wa-hima

see

see

father?"

your

his mother."
you

do if we

would

would

met

they

fall

on

Wa-hima

do?"

their faces before

Kali."
"Then

conduct

us

to

them

and

you

can

stay

and

with them

will ride

we

reign as

round

turned

Stasch

stay-

and

Man'

the

"

cheerfullyto

his

panion
com-

said:

and

"Nell,

will not

and

them

meet

of the Moon.'

'Daughter

father's heir, and

your

loves the 'Great

there, for Kali

245

the sea."

toward

on

will not

"Kali

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

have

you

become

at her

he

of the

Daughter

Moon."
But

as

he looked

that the littlemaid, who

sad, for it struck him

greatlyfrom the fatigueof

her pale,transparent face in

suffered

had

journej^with
looked
than

The
moment,
"Kali

moon

silent for

also remained

negro

loves

Bwana

kill Kali

not

for

Kubwa,

Bwana

only Gebhr

"

killed

Kali plenty to eat."

he gave
And
his chest and stomach
he stroked

him

ality
re-

then he continued:
did

Kubwa

of the

the

this earth.

on

young

inhabitant

like an

more

dweller

suddenly became

"

visible

repeatedwith
"Plenty of
Stasch

would

delight:
meat."

plenty of

have

been

boy had

the

meat,

and

liked

to

imprisonedby

find out

how

the Dervishes,

to

night after
had been capturedin one of the trenches dug
entrap zebras, he had alreadybeen through

so

many

but it turned
he

his

was

hands

answer

route

out

that

that

on

at

what

not

decide

countries and

last reached

impressedby

certain

could

one

through what

he had

Fashoda.

he said about

from

by

what

Stasch

the "Great

THROUGH

246

THE
had

for if he

Water,"

DESERT
from

come

the district

Nyanza, Albert Edward

of Albert

or

Victoria

the

from

Nyanza,

Nyanza, round which

and Uganda lie,he
the kingdoms of Unyoro
would
undoubtedly have heard something of
even

Pasha, his soldiers,and

Emin

and

raised consternation

the

so

that Kali's

was

in the

and

on

way

vicinityof

it

the waters

lands

These

its home

have

must

where
some-

of Rudolf
also

were

the

but

fairly

least

expeditionwas
its journey,so while the

lands could

Fashoda,

stillthey

be said to be very near

the place where
near

and

at

the travelers

now

half
not
were

were

quitepossiblethat they might

was

of

tant,
Tanganyika was too far disonly suppositionthat remained
race

Stefanie.

remote,

fear in the minds

The

the negroes.
and

steamers, which

"

meet

the Wa-hima.
ride of many
hours the sun
began to
the heat had abated considerably.
They

After

set, and
reached

and

wide

wild

where

give the

to

plain,where there was

figsgrew, so they made

horses

with food.
lower

at

climb

up

this
and

and

rest

halt

selves
refresh them-

the walls of the cliffs were

As

ordered

point, Stasch
look

to

water

around

to

Kali

if there

see

to
was

smoke.

any

the edge of
on
soon
obeyed, and was
cliffs. He
carefullynoticed everythingon

Kali
the

all sides and

then

and said that there

It

was

easy

to guess

slid down
was

no

on

smoke, but

that he did not

thick

liana,

'*Nyama."
mean

birds,

THE

THROUGH
but

kind

some

as

Then

big game,

rifle and

Stasch's
head

of

DESERT

then

pointed to
fingerto his

horned

animals.

fully
height,and carethe edge of the cliff,

the

climbed

Stasch

for he

put his

sign that they were

247

raisinghis head over

began to look around.
Nothing interruptedthe view, for the high
junglehad been destroyedby fire,and the new
one,
shootingforth from the charred earth, was
scarcelya foot high. All around as far as eye
could reach
whose
flames.

scattered tall trees

were

had

trunks

the shade

In

been
of

one

still growing,

scorched

by the

of these trees

grazing, their bodies

antelope was
resembling horses and their heads buffaloes.
The
sunlightpeering through the branches
made
brightspots of lighton their brown backs.
nine of them, and they were
not
There were

herd

of

more

than

was

no

hundred

As the wind
feet away.
the rathe animals toward
vine,

blowing from
they continued feeding quietly,fearing
danger. Stasch, who was desirous of providing
meat

nearest

for

the

animal, which

fell

it had

been

the

though struck by
fled,and with them a
as

lightning. The others

huge buffalo, which they had
because

fired upon

caravan,

hidden

not

by

seen

before,

large stone.

aroused,
was
boy's pride as a huntsman
and waiting for the animal to turn round, he
buflPalo swayed
sent a bullet through it. The
it was
off; and
hit, and ran
as
heavilyas soon
before Stasch was
able to change his cartridges
The

248

THROUGH

it had

disappearedbehind
cleared

had

smoke

and
Stasch

THE

ripped

went

up

"Why
"Msuri!
"Eat

with Gebhr's
it open
to him
to get a nearer

still

much

knife.
view

surprisedwhen
of the antelope,

his

in

warm,

presentedit to him.
do you give it to me?"

blood-stained

said he.

Kubwa, eat now."

gusted
it yourself,"answered
Stasch, disMsuri!

at the

Kali

the antelope

to

ran

took the liver

negro

and

hands

Kali

was

the

hillock. Before

away

of the animal, and

the young
which
was

DESERT

Bwana

suggestion.

did not

wait

be told twice.

to

He

at

began to tear the liver to pieceswith his

bits. But
teeth and greedilyswallow the raw
seeingthat Stasch looked at him with disgust,
once

stop between

he did not

mouthfuls, but

repeated,"Msuri!
had

Kali

After

eaten

tinually
con-

Msuri!"
more

half

than

liver,he began skinningthe antelope,which

did very
skin was

quickly and
not

was

he whistled
Saba

removed.

soon

that Saba

so

there

come,

the feast.

to

but Kali, who

was

ing
bend-

"The

antelope,looked up and said:

big dog has gone after the buffalo."

"Did

you

over

the

"Kali
As

he

dexterouslythat the
Stasch was
surprised
to help in this work, so

to invite him

did not

the

saw

see

him?"

said Stasch.

it."

he said this he lifted the

with

both hands, and

shoulder, he

went

body of
placingit

off toward

the antelope
upon

the gorge.

his

THROUGH
Stasch

whistled

he found

as

Kali.

THE
once

of

249

waited, but

avail,he followed

no

they found

In the gorge

plucking their

and

more

that it was

thorns from

DESERT

Mea

ting
busilycut-

hedge,and Nell, who was

bird with her tiny fingers,

the
last

said:
"Did

whistle

you

Saba?

for

He

after

ran

you."
"He

after

ran

worried

am

"These
even

about

animals

are

so

lion is afraid

should

largeand powerful that

to

fightone

to

try

Stasch.

answered

him,"

and

I shot

buffalo which

If Saba

them.

attack

he would

of them

fare

badly."
Nell heard

When

declared

and
Saba

she

When

worried

was

not

Stasch

also,
until

to bed

go

grieved

how

saw

he felt angry
ing
with himself for not havconcealed
the danger from her, and he tried

was

her.

"I would

is

that she would

returned.

to console

but

this she

have

followed

they must
approaching and
now

The

buffalo

was

hit

fall.

At

from

loss of blood

upon

any

be far away

may

squarely,and

rate, it will be

not

that

return

so

not

run

be

hope

much
if it

even

rifle,

my

besides,night

their trail can

Saba, the dog could

Yes, he

with

them

seen.

it will

exhausted
were

to

fall

in time.

away

till night,but he will

surely return."
Stasch
because
about

himself
he

did not

remembered

believe what
what

he

had

the vindictiveness of the African

he said,
heard

buffalo,

THROUGH

250

which,
in

when

even

wounded,
severely

circle and

hunter

watches

to

him

high in the air with its

likelySaba might have met with
besides other dangers to which
As

soon

managed
and

get

was

Stasch

supper

Saba

very

and

soon

as

he

be

might

for him

her

and

daylightappeared.

tent, but thrust

began

lying down

promised

look

Kali and

and

uneasy

her

on

he

to

Quite
similar fate,

Mea

hedge fence, light a fire,

then there
ready. But even

became
insisted

horns.

of Saba.

sleep,and

to

as

make

dark

become

sign

no

Nell

it had

to

ing
toss-

journey by night.

his

as

the

way

unawares,

him

subjectedin

round

runs

which

see

to attack

as

so

goes,

DESERT

THE

Nell

cry.

going
for

up

bring him

her little head

out

and
wait

to

to

back

entered the

continually

inquireif the dog had returned. She did

fall asleeptill after midnight, when
Mea

left

the

had

to

tent

watched

to

relieve

by the

Kali, who

until

now

not

fire.

Daughter of the Moon cry?"

asked Kali, and Stasch, as they both lay down
thin wooden
benches
said :
to sleep,
on
"She
is worried, fearingthat Saba is killed
by the buffalo."
the
"Perhaps he has killed it," answered
"Whj^

young

the

negro.

Then
fast

does

they stopped talkingand Stasch

asleep. He

because

it had

supposed to

be

awoke
become
on

while

it

colder.

the watch, had

was

Mea,

went

stilldark
who

fallen

was

asleep,

DESERT

THE

252

THROUGH

ity of

the lugin throwing away

the negroes
gage
if threatened
and
deserting for even
"

punishment of certain death they did

Evidently Kali, whose only
justthe same.

with
so

the

was

weapon
to

succumb

sword, would

Sudanese

vishes,
recaptured by the Derunless devoured
by wild beasts,
And
what
a
"Oh, the ungratefulwretch!

starvation

be

or

fool!"

seriouslybegan to think how much

be for them
difficult the journey would
more
Kali and how
much
without
more
heavilythe
Stasch

would

work

horses and
tent

to

and

and
Kali

for the

up

To

hedge, to guard
the provisions
were

the
not

the

water

night,to put

the

cut

up

luggage

the
and

lost,to skin
which

the slain animals, all duties

performed,would, through loss of the

fall to his share, and he was
obligedto

had

negro,

confess
how

the others.

on

tie them

that

see

fall

to

to himself

do

that he had
of these

many

no

definite idea

things,as,

stance,
in-

for

skinninganimals.
"Well, what
have

to

else can

I do?" said he.

"It will

be done."

the
appeared above
at
the
horizon, and, as is always the case
A little
daylightin a minute.
equator, it was

Meanwhile

the

sun

in the tent, that Mea

after this the water

prepared for the

splash,by which

little lady to wash

Stasch

knew

had

in,began

that

Nell

to

had

dressing. Somewhat
later she appeared completelydressed,but with
arisen and

that she

was

her comb

"He

has

The

corners

asked

Saba?"

about

her

and

hands

in her

"What

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

253

hair

not

ranged.
ar-

she.

returned

not

yet."
girl'smouth

of the

began

to

tremble.

"Perhaps
"You
he

he will

missing for

always
"You

Stasch.

in the

desert

days,and yet

whole

two

he

to us."

back

came

yet,"said

sometimes

that

remember

was

back

come

said that you

going

were

to

look for

him."
"I can't."

not, Stasch?"

"Why

He
not

or

ought

tell her the whole

to

be

impossibleto

has

taken

"and

he went

away

knows

where.

will
and
The

now

see

tell? He

can

but

cluded
con-

sword," he said,
during the night, no one
do

often

detriment.

own

hide it, he

Gebhr's

Who

Negroes

away.

truth

be better to tell her everything.

that it would

"Kali

leave

back, debatingwith himself whether

drew

it would

as

to

here."

is not

he

me

Mea."

you alone with

"AndKaU?"
"Kali

impossiblefor

it is

"Because

am

that

this,even

sorry

he

may

"

has

have

run

to

their

but

perhaps he
acted
foolishly

"

next

joyfulbark,

words
which

were

drowned

penetratedthe

by Saba's
gorge.

Nell

254

THROUGH

threw

down

the comb

him, but the thorns

Stasch

at

DESERT

THE
and

toward

run

hedge preventedher.

in the

began

once

tried to

to tear

down

part of

the

hedge,but before he had succeeded in even

making a passage Saba appeared,and behind
him Kali, shiningand wet with dew as though
soaked
through by a very heavy shower.
with joy, and
Both children were
overcome
as
Kali, who
soon
as
was
so
fatigued from
his exertions
that he could scarcelyget his
the inside of the hedge, Nell
breath, reached
threw

little arms

her

him

hugging
"Kali

around

his black

neck,

tight.

does not

said, "so Kali

like to

looked

the Bibi

see

for

the

dog

cry,"he

and

found

him."
"Good

Kali," cried Stasch, patting him on

the shoulder; "and
afraid that
not
were
you
would

you

meet

lion

or

leopardduring the

night?"
"Kali
young

afraid, but
words

children.

At

endeared
Nell's

of the bundles

the

go,"

answered

the

man.

These

one

Kali

Greek

still more

request Stasch

the

to

took

from

stringof glassbeads which

given them when

around
and placedthem
delightedwith the gift,

Kaliopuli had

they left Omdurman,

Kali's

him

neck.

He

was

lookingproudly at Mea, said :

has no
"Mea
glassbeads, but Kali has,

and

Kali

is 'Great

In this way

World.'

for

"

the sacrifice of the black

boy

was

rewarded.

Saba,

understand

for

periodhe
naughty
again he
dog. He

had

was

rather

that she

sure

that

by

to

during

the

was

such

very-

thing

small

leash like

while

wagging
double meaning. But
saw
by the expression
sermon

ashamed, and that he

for shame, but that could

he

was

reallyblushed
be perceived,
because

not

did

ever

listened to this

of his eyes
had

be led

would

time

made

was

Nell, that he

that if he

and

his tail with

Nell

with

been

he

which

second

the

255

contrary, received

the

on

reprimand, from

severe

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

his cheeks

ered
cov-

were

with hair.
Then

breakfast

Kali

meal

them

and

the

been

trail,for there

good luck would

before,and the
the

English for Nell, who did

Ki-swahili
language. It so

that the buffalo had

it had

Stasch

into

understand

happened

during this

his adventures, and

recounted

translated
not

followed, and

difficult for
was

no

run

Kali

not

was

feet of the

off,

find his

to

that

moon

night. As
rained two days

have it,it had

earth

far

very

hard

very

had

heavy animal

fore
theremade

their

impress in the wet earth. Kali searched

the trail by observing the cleft in the hoofs,
followed his footprints
for some
time. At

for
and

last the buffalo

dead, for there

over

between
them
of
not

stumbled

him

Saba

one

eat

had

and

were

Saba.

and
no

must

traces

When

have
of

fallen

struggle

Kali

found

already eaten the largestpart

of his forefeet, but although he could
himself, he would not permit
any more

THROUGH

256

and

hyenas

two

round

and

several

DESERT

jackals,that

stood

until the stronger animal of

his fill and
to proach
gone
away,
ap-

waited

had

prey

THE

had

the meat.

boy complained that the dog had even

him
growled at him, but then he threatened
and
Man"
with the displeasureof the "Great
"Bibi," caught him by the collar,dragged him
The

the buffalo, and

from

away

did

not

let him

loose until he reached

the gorge.
this,the story of Kali's adventures

With

then

their horses
they all mounted
on
contentedly.
the long-leggedMea, who, although
submissive, looked enviouslyat the
adorning the throat of the young
Saba's collar,and thought sadly
on

night ended,
and

rode

All but

quiet and
necklace
and

negro

by

to herself:

"They are
only a ring on

both

'Great

World,' but I have

foot."

one

CHAPTER

III

the three

"TAuRiNG

followingdays they con'*--'

tinuallytraveled through the gorge and,
it so happened, always up hill. The
as
days
the nights alternately
were
unusually warm,
cold and
was
sultry. The rainy season
proaching
apheavy

with

horizon.
seen,

and

here

and

rain

hung

there
low

milk-white
down

clouds

close to the

Occasionallystripsof

rain could

far off

On

was

rainbow.

the

morn-

be

ing

of the third

day

their heads hke

over

had sprung
but

as

good

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

and
luck

one
a

of these clouds

broken

cask whose

deluged them
would

257

have

with

burst

hoops
rain,

warm

it,it did

not

last

long,and then the weather was fine once more,

able to continue their journey.
and they were
birds appeared in such quantitiesthat
Now
Stasch could shoot and bring down five of them
than sufficed
without dismounting, which more
ing
Ridmeal and also enough for Saba.
for one
and
not at all fatiguing,
in the brisk air was
and plenty of water
a
quantity of wild game
all fear of hunger and thirst.
removed
They
were
getting along so well that Stasch was
always good-natured,and while riding by the
with her,
side of the girlhe talked cheerfully
and even
joked occasionally.
"Nell, do you know," said he, as they halted
for a short time under
a
big breadfruit tree,
Kali and Mea
cut oflp large melonfrom which
to me
as
seems
shaped fruits, "it sometimes
a
wandering knight."
though I were
"And
what is a wandering knight?" asked
Nell, turning her pretty little face toward
him:

long,long time ago, in the Middle Ages,

rode about
the
such knights, who
there were
They fought
country looking for adventures.
know
with giants and dragons and do you
each one
he protectedand
had his lady,whom
"A

"

defended."
"And

am

I such

lady?"

THE

THROUGH

258

Stasch

thought

DESERT
and

moment

then

swered
an-

"No;

too

are

you

for that.

young
"

ladies

were

And

up

grown

the idea

struck

never

him

that

perhaps
served lady so

had

wandering knight ever

he had his little sister.
as
faithfully
everythingthat he had done for her
never

of
But
up

He
as

took
a

ter
mat-

course.

Nell
her

"You
like

Those

felt hurt

into

mouth

told

once

by
a

his words, and

ing
screw-

pout, she said:

in the desert that I acted

me

big girlof thirteen. Ah!"

"Only once; but you are merely eightyears
a

old."
"But

in ten

"Oh, that is
shall be

I shall be

years
a

does not think

about

any

quite different
very

off, and

great while

twenty-four, but
to

eighteen."

that

at

then
a

age

man

lady,for

he has

think

then; that is

of

thing
some-

evident."

"And

"By

what

are

that time

mariner, or, if war

I should

you

going

I shall be
were

to

an

to break

travel there, to

do?"

engineer or
out

fight as

in Poland,
father

my

fought."
Then

she

asked

"But

will you

uneasily:
positivelyreturn

to

Port

Said?"
"For
"To
And

the present we both must

there."
return
little papa," sighed the girl.
our

immediately her

eyes

were

veiled

by

THROUGH

260

DESERT

THE

had
been
sent
Kali, who
returned, announcing that

they were

was

in which

Httle

vicious
as

far from

not

of many

forest

reconnoiter,

to

where

kinds of trees,

selves;
disportingthembut these monkeys were
not
ugly and
fore
Therethose they had seen
before.
as
as
soon
they struck a place where the

of the

walls

out

monkeys

cliff

were

and

low

were

not

too

steep

dark
they led the horses up, and when it was
they prepared for night. Nell's tent was
put
in a somewhat
derneath
higher and drier place unup
a
completely
large ant-hill, which
from one
barred the entrance
side and strengthened
the hedge that led toward
it.
In the vicinity
stood an enormous
tree with
and
wide-spreading branches
heavy foliage,
shelter them
which would
from the
sufficiently
rain.
scattered
In front of the hedge grew
groups

of trees, and

woods

filled with

could

be

further

off

underbrush,

was

dense
which

above

the tops of strange palms resembling

giant fans spread out like the tail of a
seen

peacock.
learned

Stasch

Kali

from

that

before

the

that is
rainy season
in autumn
it is dangerous to spend the night
under
the huge fruit
these palms, because
least expected, and
ripens,breaks off when
falls from its great height with such force that
horse.
it might Idll a human
a
being,or even

beginning of

the second

"

"

But

at the

present time

Before

the

sun

the fruit had

went

down

not

tured.
ma-

little

could

monkeys
and

DESERT

THE

THROUGH
be

261

in the distance

seen

bling
scram-

another

chasing one
plaj^fully

in the

tree-tops.
and

Stasch

of wood

heavy

for

down

drove

into the

the

for the

tear

down

hedge

wild

which

pegs,

sword, and

Gebhr's

branches

out

made, and thus make

attack

to

the

after

the

precautionwas
strong wind might break

the thorn

was

animals

Soon

them, they

This

ground.

necessary,

and

with

occasional

as

toward

whittled with

negro

sufficient quantity

night, and

hedge

the

young

very

the

of hot air blew

waves

fastened

collected

Kali

of which

it easy

for

them.
down

went

sun

the

wind

stopped suddenly,but on the other hand the

air had become
heavy and sultry.In the spaces
between the clouds stars appeared occasionally,
settled down, so
but later complete darkness
foot in advance.
that one
could hardly see
a
The
little wanderers
grouped themselves
around
screams
a

listened to the chatter

the fire and

of

the

monkeys, which

perfectpandemonium.

woods

the

howls

strange sounds

"

of

the

In

were

and

making

the

neighboring
jackals and other

through which

could

be heard

the fear of that which under

the restlessness and

in the wilderness

the veil of darkness

threatens

being united to form an appropriate

accompaniment.
Suddenly the stillnessbecame intense,and in
the growl of a lion was
the darkness
heard.
The
horses, which were
grazing nearby in

every

human

"

THROUGH

262

THE

DESERT

the short

jungle grass, began to approach the

the fire by hopping with their chained

lightof

front feet,and

usually so

was

crouched
drawn

then

even

the hair of Saba, who

bristled, and

courageous,

of

in front

his master

with

he

his tail

obviously seeking protection.

The
ing
growl sounded again,this time as if comfrom the bowels of the earth ; it was
a deep,
heavy, long-drawn sigh,as if the animal had
let it out of its powerful lungs with difficulty.
rolled on
The
sound
glidinglyclose to the
louder, sometimes
softer,
ground, sometimes
then becoming a deep, hollow, unearthly sigh.
down,

"Kali, put

wood

more

fire,"cried

the

on

Stasch.
The

negro
the fire with

threw
such

an

armful

haste and

of branches

force

on

that at first

nothing but sparks ascended; then the flame

blazed

forth.

attack us, will he, Stasch?"

whispered Nell, pullingthe boy by the sleeve.
"The

lion will not

"No, he will
the

hedge

not

attack

us.

Look

how

high

"

is

said this he

positively
thought that
in no danger,but stillhe was
worried
they were
about
the horses, which
and
pressed nearer
the hedge and threatened
to tread it
nearer
As

he

down.
Meanwhile

sighingchanged into a longdrawn-out

thundering roar, enough to terrify
who know
creatures
being,for even
any human
head to foot, shaking
fear tremble
from
no
the

of

like panes

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

glass

the

at

263

report of far-off

cannon.

threw

Stasch

glance at Nell,

hurried

and

seeing her quiveringmouth

moist

and

eyes, he

said:
"Don't

frightened. Don't

be

under

answered

She

great strain:

to cry, but

"I don't want

cry."
eyes

my

perspire

oh!"

so"

The

last

at that

moment

powerful and
themselves

second

much

nearer

than

The

horses

the forest.

from

out

her

escaped from

scream

still nearer

cause
lipsbefar

roar,

more

the first,
rang

began to push
hedge, and if the

the

long, steel-like pricklesof the acacia branches

have broken
had not hindered them they would
through. Saba growled and trembled like an
ivy leaf,and Kali began to repeat in a broken
voice

the lions

As

Two!"

Two!

Two!

"Sir!

other, they continued

kept

concert

for

as

other

soon

as

what
echoes

the

thunder

Only

was

unable

reverberated

one

with

to

from

the

distinguish
for

came,

and

over

over

in

cliff to cliff,

beneath, filled the

jungle, saturating the

and

this awful

ceased

their voices

repeated them
and

and

the animals

of

one

roar,

time in the darkness,

some

direction

the gorge
and
sounded
above

and

for

Stasch

began.

from
the

up

to

each

responding to

now

were

darkness

forest
with

fear.

thing seemed

to the

boy

to be

quite

THROUGH

264

DESERT

THE

certain, and

that

that

was

the

beasts

were

surelyapproaching. Kali also noticed that

lions were
creeping round the bivouac,

the

proaching
ap-

and he also noticed

circles,

in smaller

that, being kept from

attackingthem by the
and
fire,they were
expressingtheir displeasure
also seemed

He

think that

to

in

were

his

dreadful

by emitting these

fear

danger, for
fingers:

he

said, as

lions will kill one,

"The

sounds.

only the

horses

counted

he

all,not

not

two;

on

all!"
wood

"Throw

Again
head

bigger flame

the
and

began

"Rain

Stasch

branches

not

be

Kali

But

answered
also

asked

denly
sud-

raised his

Stasch.

the negro.

pricked up
served

also for the entire

a

forth, and

listen.

of the trees

tent, and
could

to

the matter?"
"

burst

ceased.

roars

"What's

Now

the fire,"repeated Stasch.

on

singledrop fell to
heard patteringon

as

his
a

ears.

The
for the

roof

fore
hedge, and therethe ground, but it
the leaves

above

them.
As
air
was

there

not

it was
stirring,
pouring in the

The
and

was

sound

after

breath

easy

to

of

the

even

sultry

conjecturethat

it

thicket.

increased
little while

moment

by

the children

moment,

perceived
drops descendingfrom the leaves,drops of rain
that looked like large rosy pearlsin the firelight.
As Kali had prophesied,
a terrificstorm
a

THROUGH

266
a

THE

thunder

clap of

which
At

the wilderness.
broke
and

second

fire had

shook

the

the heavens
time

same

swept

off the trees

the

placewhere the
the glowing
away

over

carried

and

been

and

hurricane

that tore the branches

forth

in

DESERT

piecesof wood which remained under the ashes,

and flung them, like fiery,sparkling sheafs,
into the jungle.
The next moment
an
impenetrabledarkness
The terrible equatorial
enveloped the camp.
storm
raged in the heavens and on the earth.
lowed
Claps of thunder and flashes of lightningfolThe
another in rapid succession.
one
vivid forks of lightningtore wildlythrough the
of the black sky. On
the nearby
somberness
blue ball was
for
cliff a strange-looking
seen;
time it rolled along the gorge,
then flamed
a
exploding with such
up into dazzlingbrilliancy,
if the very
terrible report that it seemed
as
be crushed to powder by the shock.
rocks must
a

Then,

before, perfect silence reigned.

as

Stasch

worried

was

Nell's

on

account,

and

groped his way toward the tent, which was

still standing, being protectedby the ant-hill

he

and
next

break
knows

the

immense

gust

of

the

ropes

tree

wind

where.

then

increased,

masses

of broken

from

down.

the

and
The
and

trunk; nevertheless
be

might

abated
of

rivers

at

rain

twigs, branches, and

neighboringwoods

came

and

heaven

it away,

carry
storm

heavier

the

times,
and

foliage
thundering

THROUGH
Stasch

THE

DESERT

267

nearly at his wits' end. He did

whether he ought to leave Nell in the
not know
In the first case
she might
tent or take her out.
become
entangled in the ropes and be carried
was

off with the tent-canvas

stood

chance

of

the other hand, she

on

gettingthoroughly drenched

and

in addition, for even

being carried away
Stasch, though much
stronger than she, was
scarcelyable to keep his own
footing.
This desperatesituation was
at last solved
carried off the
by the whirlwind, which soon

top of
offered

the

tent, and

further

no

surrounded

by

two

walls

canvas

protection. There

do but to wait in the

to

to

the

now

ing
noth-

was

ness,
impenetrabledark-

lions, for the

storm

abate.

Stasch

thought that perhaps these animals

had also sought shelter from the storm
in the
nearby forest, but he was
quitesure that they
would

return

awful

predicamentwas

that

after the rain had

hurricane

the

made
had

hedge.
Everything threatened
useless, and

rifle was

Face

energy.

by

worse

also

no

the

the fact

demolished

destruction.

he had

to face with

ceased, and

the

Stasch's

scope

for his

the storm, the

ning,
light-

the tempest, the rain, the darkness, and

the lions, he felt himself
The

canvas

drenched
arm

defenseless,helpless.
walls, beaten
by the hurricane,
them on all sides,so Stasch threw his

around

tent; then

Nell

they

and

both

guided her

clung

to

the

outside
tree

the

trunk

and

either death

there waited

help of
But

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

268

the merciful

heaven.

the blasts of wind

suddenlybetween

now

could

the voice of Kali, which

came

or

scarcelybe

patteringof the rain.

"Ahl
ah!
Up the tree! Up the tree!"
And
immediately a wet rope let down from
above touched the boy's shoulder.
Bibi to it. Kali will draw her up!"
"Fasten
cried the negro
again.
above

heard

Stasch

Nell

up
cut

not

the

did not
in the

hesitate

the rope
her
it tightlyround
that

so

canvas,

her, bound

lifted her up

outstretched

with

He

minute.

and

arms,

rolled
could

body,
cried,

"Pull!"

low branches on
happened to be some
tree, so Nell's journey through the air was
caught her in his strong
long. Kali soon
and depositedher between
the tree trunk

There
the
not
arms

and

an

enough
as

she.

from

the
than

branch, which

enormous

for half

ten

in

such

more

blast of wind

No

the tree, and

tree

dozen

could

althoughthe

was

roomy

tinybeings

blow
water

stream, the trunk, which

her down
ran

down

was

more

feet thick, protectedher at least from

those sheets of water

obliquelytoward

which

the

tempest drove

them.

brought the little

"Bibi" to this place of safety,he let the rope
down
for Stasch, but he, like a captain who
is the last to leave his sinkingship,
ordered Mea
After

to climb

the

up

negro

before

had

him.

THROUGH
Kali's

THE

help was

herself up

in

as

though

she

It

was

he

DESERT

269

for she
unnecessary,
with skill and
minute

the sister of

were

swung

agility,
chimpanzee.

difficultfeat for Stasch, but

more

still

trained in gymnastics to
sufficiently
the weight of his own
overcome
body, which
increased by the rifle and the cartridges,
was
with which he had hastilyfilled his pockets.
In a short time they were
all in the tree.
was

Stasch

had

always

of Nell

to

once

become

accustomed

so

first,that he

that she stood

see

in

set

now

off, ascertainingif she had

and

whether

could

she

about

at

of falling

danger

no

think

to

enough,

room

lie down

Satisfied in these respects,he

comfortably.
began racking his

brains

shelter

as

to

the storm.

would

he

small
easy

roof

how

But
be

he

there

could
was

successful

over

their

much

not

in

heads

this.

To

would

could

not

would

only abate they could lighta

each

other.

If

that

erect

been

have

during the day, but now

surrounding them was so intense
see

from

hope

work

even

her

the darkness
that
the

they

storm

fire to

dry

despair,thinking that

the

Nell's clothes.
Stasch

child, who

was

was

in

drenched

to

the

skin, would

lowing
surely have her first attack of fever the folafraid that it might be
day. He was
cold in the early morning after the storm, as
had been the case
after the previous nights,
though the blasts of wind and the rain during
the other storms

had

been

warm.

Stasch

was

THROUGH

270

DESERT

THE

only surprisedat its duration, for he knew that

equatorialstorms are the fiercer in proportion
to their speed in passing. It was
a long time
ceased and

before the thunder

down

little,but

then

even

the wind

calmed

it continued

to

drops
heavilyas before, but stillthe rainwere
so
heavy and dense that the foliage
offered absolutelyno
shelter. From
beneath
them could be heard the roaring of waters, as
if the whole jungle were
converted
into a sea.
Stasch
shuddered, thinking that they would
also
He
surely be destroyed in the gorge.
thought of what might have happened to Saba,

rain, not

so

and

this made

dare

to

talk about

very

the

dog

to

the gorge.
for him to

At

so

becoming

they

Nell.

ished
cher-

animal

had

rocks

that

few

help the dog.

and

wetter

another,

one

under

began to cool
last the rain stopped entirely. To
hours

the

spread
out-

After

off and

the air

the water

possible
im-

was

branches, and waitingfor dawn.

a

not

He

rate, it

there close to

sat

wetter

any

did

he

hope that the clever

safe refuge between
the

overhung
And

sad, but

fond

found

him

at

all appearances

only flowed over the edge

of the promontories down
the lower
into
regions, for no splashing or hollow roaring
could
On
had
and

now

be

heard.

the

previousday Stasch noticed that Kali

attempted to make a fire with

the idea suddenly struck him

the negro

to

descend

and

wet

of

branches

ordering

try if he could

do

it

THROUGH

again. But just as

something happened
blood

DESERT

THE

in the veins

turned

he

which

271

toward

nearly froze

the

of all four.

terrible,heartrendingcry from

him

the horses

and deadly fear

pain,surprise,
broke the silence of the night. Through the
darkness
heard frightfulsounds, then a
were
short gurgling,followed by hollow
sighs and
pressible
inexand at the very end a piercing,
groans,
sound, and then silence reigned.
kill horses!" whispered
"The
lions! Lions
a

"

cry full of

"

Kali.
tack
something so terrible in this atby night,in the violence of the elements,
and in the sudden
killingof the animals, that
for a minute
Stasch's blood nearlyfroze in his
veins and he never
once
thought of the rifle.
But
what good would
it do to shoot in such

There

was

darkness?

At

frightenedby
shots,would
who

had

place as
and

the

far

nocturnal

away

their bound

as

then

run

marauders,

lightand

leave the dead

wandered

would

At

best the

the report of the

horses, follow those
from

the

camping
permit,

feet would

away.

the

thought of what reallymight have

gan
happened had they stayed below, Stasch beto
as

shudder.

if seized
the

by

tree

Nell, clingingto him, trembled

her first attack

of fever.

protected them

Doubtless

it

was

Kali

from
who

ever,
How-

being
had

tacked.
at-

saved

their lives.
In

spite of all, however, it

was

terrible

THE

THROUGH

272

night, by far the

journey.
They crouched on

awful

most

of

the branches

listened to

birds, and

DESERT

what

the

entire

drenched

Hke

low.
going on bewhile deep silence reigned,then
For
a
sounds
denoting the tearing
again there were
of large piecesof meat, the greedy smacking of
lips,the gasping breath and the groans of the
was

monsters.

The

of

scent

and

meat

raw

blood

penetrated

into the top of the tree, for the lions held their
from
feast not further than twenty feet away
the

hedge. They feasted

patienceand

lost

which

the

angry

roar

which

animals

enormous

blue

and

red

eyes

they

of

the

awaited

endless

the

so

dragged

In

the

bones,

between

background the
hyenas and jackals
their turn.
hours

of

the

night

lions

of dawn.

to

and

lightedup

scattered groves,

and

the

est.
the for-

the first ray

build a fire and

disappearedwith

Stasch
Mea

IV
rose

sun

jungle,the

ordered

the

on.

LAST

The

of

once

the

CHAPTER

AT

from

Then

crunched

prey

jaws.

glistenedas
And

of

took

short, broken-off,

only answer.
the cracking

heard

their

came.

he

direction

the

the

was

the

and

angry,

in

shot

noises

was

more

became

rifle and

the

up

long that Stasch

so

made

take

Kali

Nell's

things out

of the

had

ears

not

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

274

taken

even

the trouble

to

far

run

simply crept into a nook made

by the ant-hill and the large tree outside the
had

He

away.

hedge,and there, with

protected,

at anj^

ment
mo-

ing
repulsethe attack by vigorouslykickthe lions had aphis hind legs. But
parently

to
out

not

the

and

sides

events, in readiness

awaited

he had

head and

noticed him,

danger

was

when

so

felt the

he

over

the

sun

rose

necessity

lyingdown and taking a good rest after all

of the night.
the tragical
events
Stasch at last found
While circling
the camp
the impress of horses' hoofs in the moistened
the woods
The tracks pointed toward
earth.
of

then

was

fortunate, for it would

capture horses
further
which

run

so

be

to

considered

discovered

rock,

in the

of them

was

grazing in
very

horse

have

must

present he would
offset this,
lost. To

far that for the

Stasch

not

little

pass.

narrow

during its flight.This

away

have

in the

found a foot-chain,
in the grass was
ing
of the horses had succeeded in break-

on

one

off

That
the gorge.
not be difficult to

off toward

turned

and

behind

the other two

ravine,but

rollingon

the fresh green

its borders.

on

the

ground, the

grass.

tired,as though they had

run

Both
a

low
One

other

looked

tance.
long dis-

daylighthad driven all fear from

their hearts, and they greetedStasch by neighing
in a short, friendlyway.
The horse which
was
rollingon the ground sprang to his feet,
which enabled the boy to see that he also had
But

THROUGH
succeeded

DESERT

THE

275

in

breaking loose from his footchains, but fortunatelyhe had preferred remaining
with his friend to running away
lessly.
aimleft both

Stasch
advanced

journey.
had

off and

edge of the ravine to make

it were
possibleto continue the
pour
that the heavy downnow
saw

He
been

the

the

wash

the

roof

of the tent, which

caught

Stasch
which

of

the bushes; it

on

the hut made

of

put together hastily,and

pleasedat findingthis article,

he had
his

than

trees

much

was

Now

had

strong hold that the rain could

it away.
After all,the tent offered
such

better shelter for Nell

branches

run

was

off and

blown

had taken
not

be

to

that the rain had

severe

nearlydry. And soon

attracted by a grayish-white
was
had been caught in the vines overhanging
opposite side of the cliff. This

article,which

been

so

ground

his attention

proved

the cliff and

under

the

to

whether

sure

of them

thought was
joy increased

lost.
when

out

of

higher

crevice in the cliff hidden

by lianas Saba came

running toward him, holding in his teeth an
animal whose head and tail hung out of either
side of his jaws. The huge dog climbed down
in a minute
and laid at Stasch's feet a striped
back
and one
foot bitten
hyena, with broken
his tail and to bark
off; then he began to wag
cheerfullyas if to say: "I must
acknowledge
that

I took

even

you

to

my

crouched

heels before
like birds

on

the lion, but

the tree.

And

THROUGH

276

besides, you

THE
see,

DESERT

I have

passed the night

not

without

accomplishingsomething."
And
he was
so
proud of himself that Staseh
scarcelyliked to make him leave the ill-smelling
behind, instead of bringingit to Nell.
carcass
When
they both returned they found a large
fire in the bivouac, water
boilingin the pots,
and the meal being cooked.
Nell had put on
but she looked so pale and ill that
dry clothing,
Staseh

startled and took her hand, to make

was

whether

sure

"Nell, what

or

not

she

is the matter?"

"Nothing, Staseh;
"I

feverish.

was

am

believe it, after such

asked

he.

only very sleepy."

a
nightI Thank

Oh, what a
goodness, you have cold hands.
be sleepy
night that was ! Of course
you must
I am
sleepy,too. But don't you feel well?"
"I have a slight
headache."
"

Staseh

littlehead
a
so

laid his hand

was

"You

her

forehead.

The

cold like the hands, but that

sign of unusual
the

on

exhaustion

boy sighed and

was

and weakness, and

said:

have

something hot to eat,

and
then you
lie down
and sleep until
must
evening. At least the weather is good to-day,
and not likelyto be as it was
yesterday."
But
Nell gazed at him with terror.
"We
surely are not going to spend the
night here?"
"Not here, for the mangled horses are lying
other tree, or
nearby; we will look for some
must

else ride down

now

into the gorge

and build

better

THROUGH

in the world.

fence than any

quietlyas

277
will

You

sleepas

Said."

Port

at

and

tinyhands

she folded her

But

DESERT

THE

with

tears

in her eyes besought him to ride on at once,

she said that in this awful
place it would

for
be

impossiblefor her to close her eyes and she

would
surelyget sick.
and as she looked
She begged so earnestly,
and over
into his eyes
again,
repeated over
"Stasch, please!" that at last he consented to do
she wished.

as

"Then

will

we

attempt

continue

to

our

ney
jour-

through the gorge," said he, "for there it

when
is shady. Only promise to tell me
your
strengthgivesout or when you feel weak."
"It will not
to

me

the saddle and

"No.

and Mea

donkey will

"Good!
"But
take

the

on

will ride

carry

You

the tent

bind

can

good sleep."
with

horse

same

the others, and

on

and the

luggage."

Good!"
as

soon

as

breakfast

as

littlenap.

noon,

Besides,

there

are

many

is

over

can

we

you
not

things to

must

start

fore
be-

be done.

caught,the tent folded, and

baggage repacked. We shall have to leave
have only two
things behind, for we

The

horses must

the
some

horses left.
these
a

that!

I shall have

shall ride

Kali

j^ou.

the

to

come

be

shady."

very

warm

few

hours

in the meantime

you

It will take

things,and
good sleepand

be

be

to

do all

will have

feel stronger. It is going to

day, but under the tree it will

THROUGH

278
"And

you

ashamed

Said

on

Kali?

so

am

sleepwhile

to

you

"

while

we

When

account.

my

sleep.

can

in

tions,
frequently,during my examinapassed entire nights without sleep,but
it. My
father did not know
course
my

Port

of

rest

either.

course

out

of the

little fly like you.

You

have

friends took
stand

can
a

after

mind;

be worried

Don't

and

Mea

only one
anxiety

much

so

"Never

and

"

DESERT

be the

to

all have

THE

is of

look

badly you
eyes

and

no

hair

to-day
"

are

what

But

man

question for
idea how

no

frail as

as

glass.

all that remain, and

Your

there is

nothing left of your face."

Although he said this jokingly,in his heart
he was
frightened,for in broad daylightNell
curred
reallylooked ill,and for the first time it octhat the poor
child, if she continued
to look like this,not only might die,but
to

was

him

to

sure

die.

this

At

thought

his knees

trembled, for he suddenly felt that in

her death

"For

what

have

no

to live

reason

or

of
to

Said.

to Port

return

he

he would

case

would

there be in life for me?"

continuallythought.
turned

He

should

not

his eyes,
which was
cloth

see

and

for

away

minute,

the look

of sadness

then

went

piled up

he

under

covered

to

so

that Nell

and

the

fear in

baggage,

the tree, took

the

off

cartridge-case,
opened it,and began to search for something.
It was
there, in a little glassphial,that he
the

which

THE

THROUGH
the last

kept
as

the

is,in
it

quininepowder
his eye

apple of

for

279

and

"dark

guarded

almost

certain

the first attack

would

that after
come

on,

it

hour"; that

Nell should take the fever.

case

was

DESERT

But

such
and

now

night

a
so

he

cided
de-

precautionsagainstit. This he
did with a heavy heart, thinkingof what might
follow
and if he had not felt the impropriety
of a man
and leader of a caravan
weeping, he
would
surelyhave dissolved into tears on parting
with his last powder.
to

take

"

In

order

stern

to

look, turned

"Nell, I want
quinine before
"And

"Then
She

to
you

you

the
to

he

girl,and
take

assumed

said:

the rest

of the

eat."

if you get the fever?" she asked.

I will shake myself. Take
it,I say."
took

since he had
afraid

hide his emotion

it without

further

shot the Sudanese

resistance; for
she

was

little

him, notwithstandingthe attention

and kindness
her. Then
he showed
they all sat
down
to breakfast; and after the toils of the
of

nightthoroughlyenjoyed a plateof good soup.

Nell fell asleepas soon
the meal was
finished
as
and
hours.
Meanwhile
Stasch,
slept some
for the
Kali, and Mea
prepared the caravan
journey,brought the top part of the tent from
the ravine, saddled the horses, put the pack on
the donkey, and hid under
the roots of shrubs
unable to take with them.
everythingthey were
with sleep while
almost overcome
They were
performing these duties, so Stasch arranged

THROUGH

280

THE

DESERT
in

that

they should take turns

nap, fearingthat otherwise
sleepduring the journey.
It

about

was

held

Stasch

again.

o'clock when

two

the saddle and

rode with Mea

Kali

They did not

but kept between

ride

horse.
gorge,

The

forest.

new

this

during
under

ground

bore traces

either

had

swept

the

struck

the rather
ravine.

on

on

the

ond
sec-

side and

the
the

was

grass

It

was

easy

passed

that

black and
to

still

surmise

that

with

way

his

fire,caused

narrow

Stasch

Therefore

tried to

encampment

his horses' hoofs

could

and to his great

of the kind

joy he
was

it and

between

course

of Smain's

traces

him

by lightning,had
the dried jungle,and, having at last
itself through
wet forest,had wound

that

over

of

erably
considjungle had grown
last night of rain, but the

new

of fire.

Smain
or

men,

the

out

straightinto

its upper

to

go

they set

in front

Nell

short

having a
they might

be found

to be

seen.

whether

see

imprintsof

or
on

convinced

was

the

this route,
that nothing

Kali, who

derstood
un-

things,insisted that the fire must

driven there by the wind more
than

such

have
ten

been

days

ago.

"That

proves,"said Stasch,

alreadyheaven
"

and

that

we

knows
can

where
not

"that

Smain

is

with his Mahdists

possiblyfall

into his

hands."
He

and
with

been

in

began to look at the

for they had
some
curiosity,
They
tropicalforest before.

Nell

now

tation
vegenever

rode

THE

THROUGH

282

DESERT

bling festoons, curtains, or portieres.Indiathe trees with

rubber lianas^ nearly smothered
their thousands

pyramids

into

jungle

the

some

formed

human

neither

which

round

in

was

that it almost

matted

turned

clothed in white flowers.

themselves

lianas wound
and

tendrils, and

of

being

them

Small

the

largerones,
placesso thickly
a barrier through
could

animal

nor

penetrate.

and

where

strengthnothing can

Only here
elephants,whose

there, in places

withstand, had forced a passage,

looked
in the thicket, which
gaps

winding
which

corridors.
the

make

The

European

lacking.
absolutelj^

was

of

song

forests

there

were

so

like

deep,

the

birds,

charming,

the other

On

hand,

the tops of the trees the most

peculiarsounds, resemblingat times the sharp
there

from

came

scraping of
and

saw,

chatteringof

the

pans,

old rusty door, the

the mewing of cats, and even
of

an

conversation

time to time

parrots

or

eaters, with
swung

white

a
a

of gray,

multitude

themselves

background

the loud

of human

swarm

their

beating of pots
storks, the squeaking
clapping of hands,

the hollow

of

and

beings.
green,

colored

or

of

the

On

From
white

pepper-

gliding,wave-like
in the trees.

mated
ani-

motion,
the

india-rubber

snow-

vines

spirits
crept like forest
little monkeys in mourning, perfectlyblack,
with the exception of their white tails,white
their sides, and
stripes on
strange-looking
there

sometimes

'Landolphia florida.

THE

DESERT

283

encasing

their

coal-black

THROUGH
whiskers

white
faces-

children

The

had

man

forest, which

the

at

perhaps never

white

Saba

barked

and

prise
sur-

stantly
con-

fully.
cheer-

strengthenedby the
breakfast, and her sleep. Her
felt

Nell

Little

quinine,her
little face

seen

and

of

the eyes
before.

the bushes

under

ran

admiration

gazed with

and

fresh

was

somewhat

rosy,

and

ute
her eyes had a happierexpression.Every minshe asked Stasch the names
of the various
he answered

birds, and

and

trees

could.

last she

At

best he

as

she would

said that

get off the horse

to

her

like

pick quantitiesof

and

flowers.
the

But

that

"What's
than

eat

you

'siafus'?

"

up

in

Is that

minute."

something

lion?"

and

"Worse

said:

and

'siafus' would

"The

worse

smiled

boy

stillnot

They

worse.

are

ants

with

fearfully. The branches are covered

of fire
them, and they fall like a shower

from

the trees

that bite

crawl

along

and
the

try to get off

would

you

like

alighton one's back.

If you
ground, too.

go into the
begin to hop about and

your

soon

little monkey.

protect one's self from

in

come

givesway
"But
you

any

large

and

horse

swarms,

One
a

might

lion.

and

They
should

woods,
scream

easily
Sometimes
they
then everything
more

before them."
you

could

harm!"

surelyprevent

them

doing

"I?

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

284

could."

certainlyI

Why

"How?"
fire

"With

boilingwater."

or

always know how to defend yourself,"

said, thoroughly convinced.

"You
she

felt

Stasch

words, and
"If

in

answered

so

only keep well

you

flattered

much

very

cheerful

voice:

rely on

can

you

these

at

me

for the rest."

not

"Thank

heaven!

During

this conversation

from
sun

heaven!"

Thank

they

the

narrow

by

pass

riding
vided
was
only dihedge. The
were

ing
stillhigh in the heavens, and its scorch-

was

beat

rays

fine, and

was

of the forest,which

the border

on

even

now."

headache

"I have

The

down

them, for the weather

on

there

not

was

horses

cloud

above

the

sweatingprofusely,
and Nell began to complain of the heat. And
Stasch, seeing a suitable place,turned into
so
horizon.

the gorge,

The

fairlycold.

of the

Over

now

was

pletely
com-

lows
stillleft in the hol-

water

the storm

after
now

side of which

the west

shady.

were

the

previousday

was

of the little

heads

from
one
continually flew
side of the gorge
to the other
pepper-eaters
with purple heads, blue breasts, and yellow
wings, and the boy began to tell Nell what he

wanderers

there

"

"

had

read

"You
eaters

in books

about

their habits.

know," he said, "there are

pepperfind
which, in the brooding season,

cavityin

tree, and

the female

then

carries

THROUGH

THE

the eggs there and sets

closes the opening with
head

of the female
ones

young

is

285

them, and

on

the male

that

clay so

and
visible,

not

only

the

until the

does he break

hatched

are

DESERT

the wall

clay with his largebeak and give the female

of
her

libertyagain."

"And

does

she

have

feeds

her.

He

what

to

all this

eat

time?"
"The

male
and

"And
a

flies about

various

brings her

is she allowed

to

kinds

stantly
con-

of berries."

sleep?"asked

Nell in

sleepy voice.
smiled.

Stasch

"If

is

sleepy as you
permitsher to go to sleep."
are, then the male
denly
sudIn the coolness of the gorge the girlwas
overcome
by drowsiness, for her nap that
morning had been too short, and she needed
more
sleep.In fact, Stasch reallyhad a great
cause
mind to follow her example, but could not, beMrs.

he

Pepper-eater

had

to

hold

fast to her

might fall,and besides he was

seated, riding astride
saddle which
in Fashoda
move,

and

possibleso
And

Hatim

as

and

on

as

guided
not

she leaned

his shoulder, and

horse

had made

hardly dared
as
slowly as

her up.
back, laid her

to

she

the broad, flat

Seki Tamala

the

fear

ably
uncomfort-

very

for the littlegirl. He

he

for

wake

fell sound

small

head

asleep. But she

breathed so quietlyand evenlythat Stasch did
not
regret having given her the last small
quinine powder. On hearing her deep breathon

THROUGH

286

DESERT

THE

ing he

felt that for the present the danger of

fever was
and he began to make
the following
over,
observations:

"The

leads

bed of the gorge

continuallyup
hill,and just at this particular
spot it is rather
have climbed
higher and higher,
steep. We
drier than below.
and the ground is much
We
search for a high and well-sheltered
must
now
a
place near
rapid stream, and settle down
few weeks
in which
a
there, give the little one
and perhaps we
shall be obliged to
to recover,
wait until the 'massika'^ is over.
Few
girls
would

have

borne

up

trials,and

these
After

night

she

such

as

girlwould

any

other

the

fever, but

she

under

have

how

"

take

must
we

tenth

have

part of

good rest.
passed through
a

rightdown with
soundly she sleeps!

come

God!"

Thank

These

thoughtsencouraged him, but though

he spoke cheerfullyto himself while gazing on
Nell's head reposing on
his shoulder, he was
also surprisedat his emotions.
of this
"It reallyis strange how fond I am
I have always been fond of her, but
littleone.
now

care

And

as

and

more

he did not

this he reflected
"This

as

more."
know

how

to account

for

follows:

probably due to the fact that we

and
have undergone so many
dangers together,
care."
also because she happens to be in my
While meditatingthus he held the child very
is

'The spring rainy

season.

THROUGH

could

she
rode

They

whispered
words

on

slowly and

in

Stasch's

Great

buffalo.

of

ear

belt, so
saddle.

the

and Kali
silently,
these
flattering

lions.

Yah!

Yah!"

himas

Yah!

hunt

meat

Plenty of

softly,"do

Stasch

will kill

Man

the

would

"Wa-hima

if

then

you

throw

his custom,
This

Wa-hima

do

laughs."
until the lion

spears

to what

killinglions
Stasch, so he began
other

in the land

kind of game

of the Wa-hima

about

more

rhinoceroses

of
as

the
was

his stomach.

of

stronglyto

ing
dur-

then?"

many

he stroked

way

dig

lion falls into them

porcupine, then drag him out

and eat him.
Lion good." And,

trench

Wa-

of lions,but Wa-hima

afraid

deep trenches, and

the night,why

meat

lions,too?"

"Wa-hima

"What

Great

The

Plenty of

asked

"Kah,"

kills Gebhr, kills lion,and

Man

Yah!

many

as

in her

fall out

not

287

"The

like

right hand

his

with
carefully,

that

DESERT

THE

did
to

appeal
questionKali

was

to be found

and

not

so

they talked

and
antelopes,ostriches,giraffes,
until they heard the splashingof a

waterfall.
"What's
us

is

Kali

that?"

stream

nodded

and

cried Stasch.
a

"In

front of

waterfall, too!"

his head

as

sign that

it

was

reallyso.
For
pace

and

they rode on, quickening their

listeningintentlyto the rushing of

time

THROUGH

288

the

THE

which

water,

DESERT

heard

was

distinctly

more

minute.

every

"A

repeated Stasch, who was

But they had scarcely
passed

waterfall!"
interested.

much

through one or two bends in the gorge when

stacle
obthey suddenly perceivedan insurmountable
their path.
lying across
Nell, who had been lulled to sleepby the regular
of the horse, awoke

motion
"Are

stopping

we

look!"

but

answered

rock is lying across

"What
"It

can

is

the

to

back

turn

top and

the

stilltwo

"That's

where

with

more

he

and

it; but

the
so

try to climb
there

as

are

Do

you

hear the waterfall?"

we'll halt for the

to

side of

Kali

the

and

night."

ordered

narrow

pass

him
to

to
see

blocked
of the gorge
was
obstacles.
As for Stasch, he began

the

bottom

inspectthe

while

have plenty
we
night-fall
will give the horses a chance

turned
the

up

whether

to

this

it."

climb

alongsideof
just here, and

littleway

around

go

"I hear

then

creep

narrow
a

get their wind.

He

"See,

Stasch.

before

hours

of time, and
to

for the

gorge!"

impossibleto

must

here

do?"

we

rock, for it is very

we

put up

once.

asked.

night?" she
"No;

to

at

rock

very

and
carefully,

after

exclaimed:

"It must

have

broken

off and

fallen down

where
it has
here very recently. Do
see
you
See how
fresh the break is.
broken off, Nell?

THE

THROUGH

290

been

had

before

day

DESERT

greatlyenraged against

lions, answered:

great!

"That's

he had

before

But

voice

Kali's

lion"

time to

by day!"
approach the

heard

was

sage
pas-

above

from

the

gorge.

"Bwana

Kubwa!

"What's

the matter?"

In

of

creeper.
face that he

It could

"An

the stalk

slid down

easilybe

the bearer

was

of

from

seen

great news.

some

the young
"Yes," answered
negro,
with
his hands; "over there

eat him

Man

Great

The

out.

cliffs.

here

and

water

his

exclaimed.

elephant!"he
elephant?"

"An

cried Stasch.

the negro

moment

Kubwa!"

Bwana

gesticulating
rushing

Elephant can not get

kill elephant and Kali

oh, eat! eat!"

"

gan
thought made him so happy that he behis lipsand slap
to jump around, to smack
his knees and to laugh like an idiot,at the same
time rollinghis eyes and showing his white
This

teeth.
understand

did not

Stasch

at

said that the

elephant could

the

to

gorge,

hands

Mea's

Kali

all turned
where

care,

free in

ordered

make

case

to

back

they could

not

that

so

it were
mount

and

he

could

necessary

behind

began

climb up.

from

escape

had

of what

sure

his horse, and

mounted

he
into

so

first why Kali

pened
hap-

giving Nell
have
to

both

shoot, he

him; then they

to

look for

On

the way,

place
Stasch

asked
and

Kali's

from

291

elephantcould

the

how

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

have got in there,

he surmised what had

answer

reallyhappened.
Apparently the elephanthad sought refuge
from
the flames during the forest fire,and on
his way knocked
againstthe rock, which, being
and cut off all

insecure,had fallen down

of his return.

the end

to

of the

the

on

After

flowed, and
short time

but

of the gorge,

to dismount

the negro

assured

them

the top. At
strip of land, which
the stream

and

they saw
The

Stasch

thus

was

to

walk

on

last

they

came

jump

and

much

when

in.
out

way

on

he

to
on

the other

not

was

until

bordered

was

then

very

that the stream

looking down
the elephanton the
huge animal lay on
was

hemmed

rather steep,it was

and lead the horses. As

off,they continued

by

which

they discovered

reached

side

abyss,through

it was

as

necessary
far

self
him-

and

pass

of the

come

found

narrow

edge

the stream

he had

running further

On

means

by

they
high

the
the

one
vine,
ra-

into the

depth,
flat ground.
its stomach,

astonished

that he

and
did

caught sightof them,

dash for the edge of the
for, as Saba made
a
narrow
pass and began to bark, the beast only
his enormous
moved
and raisinghis
ears
once,
trunk, immediately let it fall again.
The
children held each other's hands tight,
and looked at him a long while in silence,until
not

Kali
"He

up

said:

hunger,

die."

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

292

that

elephanthad become so thin

length of his backbone stood out

In fact,the

the whole

like

hollow, and beneath his

hide, notwithstanding its thickness, his ribs

comb

could

his sides

be

were

and

plainlyseen,

that the

it

was

easy

he did not

reason

to

jecture
con-

get up

was

strengthwas exhausted.
The
fairlybroad at the entrance,
gorge,
changed into a small pocket,closed in on both
of
at the bottom
sides by perpendicularcliffs,
his

because

which

few

grew

off, their bark

broken

leaf remained.

These

trees.

torn

was

Nearly

trees

eaten,

Stasch

After
he

began

had

taken

to narrate

not

and the grass

been

uprooted

last blade.

to the very

even

off and

been

all the vines that had

overhung the cliffshad been eaten

throughout the entire pockethad
and

had

in the whole

to

Nell

what

tion
situahe had

thought that the huge animal

doomed
to die, he spoke very
was
softly,as if
afraid of darkening the last hours of his life.
ably
"Yes, he is reallydying of hunger. Probhe has been a prisonerhere for the last
but

seen,

two

as

he

weeks, since the time when

burned

the

up

old

jungle.

He

the forest fire

has eaten

up
he is

eatable, and now

everything that was
to death, for he can
being slowly tormented
bread-fruit trees and acacias growing above
see
him, but

is unable

to

reach

them."

they looked down in silence

for a while at the elephant, who
now
every
and then turned his small, dying eyes toward
And

once

more

them, and each time

sound

like

293

sob

escaped

his throat.

from

to

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

"Really,"the boy said,"it would

put an end to his suffering."

mercy

der,
he raised the rifleto his shoul-

these words

At

be

ing
the coat, and standrightin front of him, used all her force to
but Nell

drag

him

caught him by
from

away

the

edge

of the ravine.

"Stasch, don't do it! Give him something to

eat!

is

He

thin!

so

I will not

let you

shoot

I will not, I will not!"

stamping stillmore
emphaticallywith

him I

And

her foot, she continued

looked

at

her in

He
pull him away.
but on seeingtears in
surprise,

her eyes, said:

"But, Nell
"I will not

to

"

allow

it. I will not

let him

be

If you

killed!

kill him, I shall get the fever!"

threat sufficed to make
Stasch abandon

This

his murderous
and
silent for

intentions in

others
a

well.

not

then he said

phant
this ele-

In fact,he remained

while, as he did

the child

answer

as

regard to
know

what

to

"Well, all right! All right! I tell you, it is

all

right!

And
shone

Nell!

Nell at
out

only

care

food

as

let

once

me

go!"

embraced

him

and

smile

of her tear-stained little eyes.

Her
to give the elephant some
now^
was

possible.Kali and Mea were

much
surprisedon hearing that "Bwana
very
Kubwa"
not only not going to shoot the
was
elephant,but that they must straightwaypick
soon

as

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

294

bread-tree, the pods of the

various herbs, leaves and grass, as

fruit of the

the

acacia, and
much

they

as

greatlyaided

sword

Sudanese

bladed

accomplishingthis task, for

would have been by no means
did not

want

and

soon

as

breadfruit

wait

to

double-

Gebhr's

collect.

could

without

they

Nell

But

finished,

had

the first fruit fell from

as

in

it the work

easy.

until

Kali

the

grasped it with both hands,

gorge, and repeatedquicklyto

she

tree

carried it to the

herself,as if afraid that any

else should get

one

there first:
"I! I! I!"
had

Stasch

But

thought of deprivingher

no

hold

the contrary, he took

of this

pleasure; on

of her

ment
belt, for fear that in her great exciteshe

might

togetherwith

fruit rolled

enormous

and

edge

of the cliff

her bread-fruit,and

precipiceand fell at the

who
immediately put out
up

the

over

cried:

it down!"

"Throw
The

fall

crunched

and

it as

the

over

feet of the
his trunk,

if eager

steep

elephant,

picked it

to swallow

it at

it

disappearedinstantly.
"He
has eaten it up!" cried Nell, overjoyed.
"I should say so!" answered
Stasch, laughingly.

once,

The

elephantnow
put out
them, as if asking for more,
be heard
"He

his "Hrrumff
wants

"I should

more

his trunk
and

then

toward
could

!"

yet!"

think he did!"

repliedStasch.

THROUGH
A

second

followed

fruit

by

DESERT

THE

disappearedlike

now

third, fourth

rapid succession

feet.

only

was

down

and

now

"Hrrumff,"
and, as Nell

and

with

her

eating,and

it

mouthfuls,
forth

gave

denote

to

and

tired,she

to him

then, between

that he raised his trunk

more,

became

elephantcontinued

The

Nell,

replaceher,

to

one

food

more

in

tenth; then

"

of leaves.

kinds

at last her littlehands

stillpushed

first,

the

big bundles
acacia-pods,

he ate

of grass, and various

would
not
permit any
when

295

dering
thun-

that he wanted

felt certain, to

his

show

gratitude.
last Kali and

At

got tired of this work,

Mea

and
they had performed very faithfulty,
Kubwa"
they silentlyhoped that "Bwana
would
fatten the elephant and kill him later.
which

last "Bwana

At

the
to

had

sun

told them

quitelow

construction

not

was

sunk

now

begin the
it

Kubwa"

the three-cornered

of the

stripsof

stop, for

and it was

hedge.

for
difficult,

very

to

land

Nell

sible,
inacces-

were

and

that

did not

move

crouchingon

its edge,with her

crossed, she informed

distance away,
and
her thin

inch from

an

what

Stasch, who

ily
Luck-

sides of

two

only the third one needed

fenced in, and
plenty of acacias with
terrible thorns grew
nearby.
so

time

their

the gorge,

legstightly
was

some

the

little

be

to

elephantwas doing
voice
continuallyrang
"

out:

"He

is

feelingaround

with

his trunk!"

or

THROUGH

296

"He

is

DESERT

THE

his

moving

ears.

has

He

enormous

ears!"
Then

at

last: "Stasch!

He

Stasch!

is getting

Oh!"

up!

approached quicklyand took Nell by

In truth, the elephant had really
the hand.
could the children see
gotten up, and only now
his enormous
size. They had occasionally
seen
large elephantsbeing taken in ships through
Stasch

the

Canal

Suez

Europe, but
with

their way
of them

on

not

one

this colossus

from

India

could

compare

in size,for he

to

reallylooked

large slate-colored, four-footed rock.

in having
He differed from those they had seen
tusks five feet or more
enormous
long,and, as
Nell had already said, fabulouslylarge ears.
His front legs were
long, but comparatively
very
ing
thin,which was
probably due to his havfasted so many
days.
"Oh, what a Liliputian!"cried Stasch; "if
out
he were
to take a good stretch and throw
his trunk
to its full length he could catch hold
like

little foot."

of your

But
himself
With

nor

toward

steps he advanced

uncertain
to the

entrance

down

giant neither thought of stretching

of catching any
one
by the foot.

the

gorge

and

looked

for

whirled

side nearest

stomach,

dipped

it down

out

toward

then he turned

waterfall, sat

the

put

his

trunk

down

into

deep, and began

while

of which

into the ravine, at the bottom

the waters

the

to

on

the

the
his

water,

drink.

THROUGH

298

THE

DESERT

that
pricklyacacias and branches of passiflora^
there was
no
possibihtyof any beast of prey
sides
being able to break through the barrier. Bethe weather

was

fine,and

soon

after

set
sun-

studded
with stars.
It was
sky was
very pleasantto be cooled off by being in the
proximity of the waterfall,and to breathe the
heavy fragrance of the jungle and the freshly
the

off branches.

broken

'fly'will not get the fever here!"

thought Stasch joyfully.
They began to talk about the elephant,for
Nell could speak of nothing else,and she continually
expressedher admiration for his huge
size,his trunk, and his tusks, which reallywere
"The

At

enormous.

"How
"As
how

he is,Stasch, isn't he?"

wise

wise

I asked

never

language before,

of her,

and

and

perceivedthat
so

ing,
stop drink-

with

she fondled

understands

my

quest."
re-

English

what

you

quiteremarkable."
Stasch was
making fun
it is

him

like

little kitten,

said:

"Say
is very
at

to

taken lessons in the

said to him, then indeed

Nell

him

immediately complied

"If he had

"But

find that out?"

"Because, when
he

repliedStasch.

Solomon,"

as

did you

last she said:

what

like,but I'm certain that he

wise, and that he

once."

'Odenia

you

globosa.

can

be

readilytamed

THE

THROUGH

readilyand

"Whether
but

he

is wilder
that

be tamed.

can

than

the

Hannibal,

for

DESERT
at

The

299

I'm

once

not

African

sure,

elephant

Asiatic, but I believe

instance, used African

beasts."
"Who

was

Stasch

Hannibal?"

looked

indulgentlyand pityinglyat

her.

course," he said,"at your

"Of

age

you

are

Hannibal
was
a
great
expected to know
which used
leader of the Carthaginian army,
and as
with the Romans,
elephantsin the war
Carthage was in Africa, he was obligedto use
African
elephants."
mendous
The conversation
was
interruptedby a tretrumpeting of the elephant,which,
gan
beafter having satisfied his hunger and thirst,
either from
joy or longing to be free
gan
Saba sat up and beto signalwith his trunk.

not

"

"

"

to

"See

bark, and
what

you

his friends.
to

were

"He

Stasch
have
A

said:
done?

he

Now

nice story if

is calling

whole

herd

approach."
will tell the others that

we

good

were

Nell hastily.
him," answered
not at all worried
But Stasch, who really
was
(becausehe reckoned that, even if several were

to

along, the light of the fire would

frightenthem away), laughed defiantlyand

to

come

said:

"Well, well! But

you

will not

cry

if elephantsshould

for fear; oh, no!

"

appear,

your

eyes

THROUGH

300

would

THE

only perspireas

DESERT

they

have

done

twice

before!"
And

he

"I'm

perspireso!"
Nell saw
that he was
cluded
joking she conin no danger.
that they were

began to imitate
not crying,only my

When

"If

will not
should

eyes

him," she said, "then my

tame

we

her:

perspireany

if ten

even

more,

eyes

lions

roar."

"Why?"
"Because
Stasch
bark

in

then

he will protect us."

quieted Saba, who had
the

to

answer

"But, Nell, there is

think of.

not

ride

must

we

convenient
remain
and

here

I and

This
I

in fact all of

us

say

diately
imme-

place is very
decided

have

perhaps two

"

did

you

stay here forever;

I do not

further.

week

one

thing that

one

the contrary.
and healthy,so

on

"

on

continued

shall not

We

to

elephant'strumpeting,

while and

thought a

continued

need

"

to

for you

good

rest.

Well, all right! As

will

we

long as we stay here we

feed the elephant,although this is an enormous
is imprisoned,and
task for us all. He

end?
and
of

not

can

We
starve

course

would

Nell

take him

with

shall go

away

once
we

more,

will

us.

But

make

will this

and

he will stay here

until he succumbs.
And

grieve even

more

than

we

now."
felt very

sad, and

for

silently,
apparentlynot knowing
to

how

to

these very

time sat there

what

answer

sensible remarks, but

THROUGH
raised her

she

soon

the

THE

of

lock

forehead

hair

head, and

which

into her

the

301

pushing
fell

always

turned

she

eyes,

confidentlytoward

DESERT

aside
her

over

her

eyes

boy.

"I know," she said,"that you could get him

to."
if you only wanted
out of the gorge
"Yes?"
she put out

But

hand, and
"Yes!

well

finger,touched

Yes!"

Yes!

and

that the

confidence

clever little lady knew

would

boy

in him

and

be
that

earnestlyconsider
elephant.
would

morning

now

he

on

release the

to

of clouds toward

bank

was

Following

Stasch's

and

orders. Kali

and

Mea

gatheringthe
acacia pods, fresh

after breakfast

fruit of the breadfruit

leaves, grass

the south, the

clear.

busied themselves

the

from

quite
by her

for although there

nightpassed quietly,

was

for

flattered

how

CHAPTER

THE

Stasch's

repeated:

small

The

roots

elephant,and

tree,

of eatables

of all kinds

laid them

down

on

the

As Nell wanted
the gorge.
very much
friend herself,Stasch cut from
to feed her new

edge of
a

young,

wide-branched

pitchfork,so that
the
The

melon-tree

she could

more

kind

of

easilythrow

provisionsinto the bottom of the ravine.

elephanthad been trumpeting since early

THE

THROUGH

302

for

morning,
when

he

saw

little white

he

was

the

on

creature

DESERT

evidentlyhungry, and
edge of the cliff the same
fore,
who
fed him the day beby making a joyful sound

greetedher
and immediatelystretched out his trunk toward
the children
her.
In the morning sunshine
fore.
taller than the day bethought he looked even
thin, he seemed
Although he was
very
and
his tiny eyes
somewhat
stronger now,
sisted
inShe even
looked almost merrily at Nell.
had grown
stouter
that his forelegs
over
night, and she made such haste to throw the
food down
to him that Stasch was
obligedto
became greatlyoverrestrain her, for she finally
heated
dren
and he had to take her place. Both chilwere
having a very good time, and they
faces the
amused
at the queer
were
especially
At first the animal ate everyelephantmade.
thing
that fell at his feet, but
indiscriminately
when
his hunger was
somewhat
appeased he
was
more
discriminating.When
plants were
given to him that he did not like,he pushed
he

them

his forefeet and

with

away

the air with his trunk,

"These

delicacies I

as

tossed them

though tryingto

for you
Finally,after the beast had

eat."

reserve

up

hurt
order

am
us

to make
:

if

we

sure

went

down

to

satisfied his
to

sure," said Nell, "that he would

now

say

there to

he began
hunger and quenched his thirst,
his huge ears
with great satisfaction.
"I

in

slap
not

him," and in

she called down

phant
to the ele-

THE

THROUGH

DESERT

303

"Elephant, dear elephant,you would not

hurt us, would you?"
And
his trunk as if in
the elephantmoved
as
she turned
triumphantly to Stasch:
answer,
"Look!

He

says

'Yes!'"

are
"Perhaps so," repliedStasch; "elephants
dently
animals, and this one has evivery intelligent

for

necessary

the

to

come

his

conclusion

welfare.

that

Who

we

are

can

say

whether

he may
not be a littlegratefulto us?
It is better not to attempt it now, and certainly
Saba

would

killed at

dare

not

do

Perhaps

once.

it, for he would

in time

be
come
be-

they may

friends."
All further
the

conversation

elephantwas

cut

that he would

day

to

obtain

food

about

the

beauty of

short

by Kali, who,

have

to work

for the beast,

hard

seeing
foreevery

approached

Stasch, smiled

and said:
cheerfully,
"Great
kill elephantand Kali eat him,
Man
instead of gathering grass and branches
for
him."
But
away
very

the "Great

Man's"

miles
thoughtswere
from killing
the elephant,
and as he had a
he replied
while standing
happy disposition,

there:

"You're

donkey."
Unfortunately he had forgotten the word
for "donkey" in the Ki-swahili language so
he used the English word
"donkey" and Kali,
who
did not
understand
cluded
English, conany
that this name
was
appliedto him as a
a

"

compliment
him

saw

reward, for the children

toward

and heard

Mea

soon

him

ging
brag-

follows:

"Mea

or

turn

as

Kali

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

304

is

skin

black

has

and

black

head

and

donkey."-

continued, with

Then

he

"The

Great

himself

Man

pride:
said that Kali

was

donkey."
both

Stasch, after ordering them

guard

to

lady like the apple of their eye, and

should anything happen,
at once
to call him
grasped his rifle and started off toward the

the young

that blocked

he
the gorge. When
reached the spot he examined
everythingvery
carefully,inspectedall the cracks, put a twig
fallen rock

into

he discovered

crevice which

part of the rock

up

and

measured

in the lower

its

depth

actly,
ex-

slowly returned to the camping

and began to
place,opened his cartridge-case
the cartridges.
count
Scarcely had he counted three hundred when
from
out of a tall baobab-tree
near
by, about
then

he

five hundred
voice

the tent, he heard

feet from

Mea's

crying:

"Sir! Sir!"
Stasch
trunk

out

asked

approached the big tree, the

of

and

tomb,

"What

do

"There

are

from

resembled

which

hollowed-

you

here, and

"Good.

many

want?"
zebras

further

I will take

off
my

to

be

seen

not

far

antelopesalso."
gun

and

go

after

THROUGH

306

THE

"Look, what
tree, which
Pharao.

and

make

all could

me

when

while

live

the time

to

of

is

this

see

opening is
through. One

to pass

one

in there,where
largeroom
together. That occurred to

Mea

saw

encircle this

part of the trunk

You

for any
sort of

ing
people hold-

not

dates back

hollow.

we

could

the lower

largeenough
could

hands

perhaps
But

rotten

Fifteen

giant!

another's

one

DESERT

branches, and

in the

up

silentlyapproaching the zebras

the plan continuallyrecurred to me."
"But we
must
hurry on to Abyssinia."
I

was

"Yes.

But

we

yesterday,I

you
week

or

rest

have

decided

You

two.

also,and

must

would

to

not

as

I told

stay here
to

want

leave

elephant,and on your account I am afraid

of the rainy season,
which has already begun,
when
The
will surely get the fever.
you
is fine to-day, but you
weather
that the
see
if the
clouds are
gathering,and who knows
rain will not come
before evening. The tent
your

sufficient shelter for you, and within this

gianttree, providedit be not hollow to the very
is not

shall be able to

top, we

It would
than

any

safer for

in the tent, for if

opening and
to

be much

make

for

number

light,with

thorns

of lions could

rainyseason
spring, and I

within

stuff this

would

every

it

have

evening,
the tree.

month

still of the

wait until it is over.

we

around

roar

only lasts a
am

us

to

were

the windows, which

The

should

we

pour.
down-

the worst

laugh at

If

during the
opinion that we
we

have to wait

had

we

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

here in this

better wait

307

giant tree

than

anywhere else."
As Nell always acquiesced
in Stasch's plans,
lighted
deshe assented now,
especiallyas she was
the
with the plan of remaining near
elephantand livingin the tree. She began at

under

tent

once

to think

how

furnish

or

the rooms,
she could arrange
them, and how they would then
how

invite each other to "five o'clocks" and

Finallythey both

became

wanted

to

and

merry,

take
had

look

at

dinners.

Nell
the

mediatel
imnew

learned

day by day
cautious, prevented her

house, but Stasch, who

experienceto be
from proceeding in too great haste.
take possessionof the house,"
"Before
we
said he, "we must
beg the present inhabitants,
if there are any there, kindly to depart."
from

After

this he ordered

lightedbranches,
profusely,into the

which

be

depended

to throw

being

green

interior of the tree.

well he did so, for the

and by tenants
not

Mea

several
smoked
It

was

habited,
gianttree was indeed incould
whose hospitality

upon.

CHAPTER

VI

openings,a largeone half

the ground, and a smaller one,
a
somewhere
about the height of the first story
of a town
house.
Hardly had Mea thrown the
burning branches into the lower one than large
bats began to fly out
of the top one,
and,

tree had
THE yard
from

two

THROUGH

308

DESERT

THE

blinded

by the sun, they circled around the tree,

screaming as loud as they could. But the real
of the house soon
master
wriggled out of the
lower opening,and it proved to be an enormous
boa-constrictor,which, though apparently still
of its
half asleep,had devoured
the remnants
last feast, and
the

out

of

like

an

in his

until the smoke

it awakened

nostrils had
At

not

reached

and

sought safety.
sightof this iron-colored body squirming
the smoking tree-hollow, uncoilingitself
enormous
spring,Stasch picked Nell up
and

arms

started to

run

away

with

in the direction of the open wilderness.

itself frightenedby the smoke and
reptile,
did

follow

not

The
set

to

on

and
his rifle,
gorge

The

fire,

wended

but

the direction of the

hide itself in the crevices of the rocks.

children
Nell

her

its way
the pilesof baggage and

them,

through the grass and

disappearedvery swiftlyin
gorge,

its

regained their
the ground,
then

ran

after the snake.

Stasch

courage.

hurried

to

fetch

in the direction of the

Nell followed

hind.
close be-

held
going a short distance they besuch an extraordinarysightthat they both
stood rooted to the ground. High above the
the body of the snake appeared for an
gorge
instant, wriggled in the air, then fell to the
ground. After a while it appeared a second
dren
the chiltime, then fell down
again. When
reached the edge of the ravine they saw
phant,
to their surprisethat their new
friend,the elewas
playing with the snake, and after

After

THROUGH

THE

DESERT

309

having thrown it in the air twice, he was now

sembled
stamping on its head with his feet, which reblocks of wood.
Having finished this
performance,he lifted the stillsquirming body
with

his trunk; this time

into the air,but

he

with his
and

at last

side

and

ears,

demanding

rightinto

from

swayed

put

out

to fix his eyes

his trunk

toward

for his heroic and

it

throw
Then

the waterfall.

side, fanned

to

began

reward

he did not

himself

Nell,

on

her,

if

as

sensible

deed.

immediately ran toward the tent and

returned
with a quantity of wild figs,a few
of which she threw to him.
He pickedthem up
after another.
one
carefullyand swallowed
Those
that fell into deep crevices he picked up
by blowing into the cracks with such force that
Nell

stones

the

size of one's

fist flew

into the

air

along with the figs. The children showed their

appreciationof these tricks by laughing and
clappingtheir hands. Nell repeatedlybrought
more
food, and every time she threw a fig
down
she maintained
that he was
quite tame
now,

down

and

be safe for her to go

that it would

to him.

"Do

you

see,

Stasch,

now

we

shall have

protector for he is afraid of nothing in the

of a lion or a snake, or a
wilderness,not even
crocodile.
Besides, he is very
good and
"

"

surelyhe ought
"If

he

"so that

should
I

might

to

be

fond

become
leave you

of us."

tame,"

said

in his care,

Stasch,
I would

THE

THROUGH

310

DESERT

for I could not

not be afraid to go off hunting,

find a better protectorfor you in the whole of

Africa."
After a while he continued:
of Africa are
"It is a fact that the elephants
wilder,but I have read that the Asiatic ones,
weakness for children.
for instance,
have a peculiar
In India there has never
been a case
of
of

elephanthurtinga child,and when one

these animals becomes enraged,as sometimes
happens, children are sent to appease

an

it."
"So you
"At any

see, you

see!"

rate, you

rightin preventing

were

him."
killing
Thereupon Nell's eyes shone with joy.
she laid both hands on
Standing on tiptoe,
her head back
and leaning
Stasch's shoulders,
and lookinginto his eyes, she asked:
me

from

"I behaved
As

if I

And
"At

as

if I

were

"

how old?

Tell me!

how old?"
he answered:
were

"

least seventy."

"You

do

nothingbut joke."
"Well, be angry!be angry! But who will
release the elephant?"
On
hearingthis Nell clung to him like a
kitten.
and I shall love you very much for
"You!
it,and so will he."
"I have alreadythought about it," said
young

"

Stasch;"but itwill be

very troublesome

thing

THROUGH
to
are

do.

DESERT

do it now,
to continue
our

I shall not

ready
"Why?"
"For

him

THE

this

before

got used

he is
to

but

only when
journey."

because

reason:

quitetame
he

us,

311
we

if I should

release

and

he

would

before

has

immediately

run

away."
"Oh!

he will not

"Do

think

you

am?"

leave me."
he

repliedStasch

is

as

approach

of

who

Kah,

zebra

with its young

one,
to death by Saba.
It was

bulldog that

he

of

had

impatiently.
was
interruptedby
brought the slain
had been

which
a

bitten

lucky thing for

Kali, and

followed

had

been

he

could have
a

torn

box
to

seem

to

he did not
been

on

to the

come

the

hanging

have

He

rescue.

out

much

since he

ever

ceived
re-

for having

to

heart, for

put in his tongue, which

even

it,

zebra, but he did

young

take this very

of

long before

Stasch

from

ears

piecesthe

would

its reach
in its coils

death

squeezed to

Stasch

not

within

come

the
had

therefore not been present at the routingout

the snake, for the dog would have followed
and

as

you

somewhat

All further conversation

the

fond

had

came

from

to

understand

the

chase.

Meanwhile

Stasch

that he intended
the
when

tree, and

gave

to arrange

told

him

Kali

in
dwelling-place
had
what
happened
a

smoking out the tree-trunk, and what

done
The
the snake.
the elephant had
to
thought of livingin the giant tree, which not

THROUGH

312

only
but

DESERT

protectionagainst the rain,

against wild animals, pleased the

served
also

negro

THE
a

as

the other hand, the

did not at all meet with his

much, but,

very

on

behavior
elephant's
approval.
"The
elephant is stupid," said he, "and
therefore he threw the 'nioka' (snake) into the
rushing waters, but Kali knows that 'nioka' is
very good to eat, and so he will fish it out of
and

the water
a

roast

it,for Kah

is clever

and

"

donkey."
"Yes, you

donkey, all right,"answered

surelydo not want to eat

are

"You

Stasch.

snake."

good," said Kali.

And
pointingto the dead zebra,he added :
"Better than this nyama."
Then
they both walked toward the baobaband began to arrange
the house.
Kali
tree
took a flat stone, the shape of a large sieve,
"Nioka

is

the bank

from

of the river,laid it down

the tree-trunk, and

wood
wood

would

have

was

"Great

care

ing
burn-

more

that

the

the entire tree

soon

smoke

rushed
creep

out
out

that

so

and

Man"

rotten

filled the
than
of

no

sooner

the

broken

ablaze.

the little "Bibi."

no

had

interior of

all kinds

fire,

nothing could

apparent that this was

for
precaution,
of

set

said that he did this

bite the
It

it, taking

on

and

more

in the inside of the tree did not catch

which
He

put

inside

the wreaths

the

of vermin
bark

sary
unneces-

"

tree

and

began
black

to

and

THROUGH

THE

DESERT

313

cherry-coloredbeetles, plum-sized hairy spiders,

caterpillarscovered with finger-long
ous
pricklyhairs, and all sorts of horrible poisondeath.
cause
vermin, whose bite might even
From
what was
taking placeon the exterior of
the trunk, it could readilybe imagined that
similar insects were
meeting their fate
many
in the clouds

within, and the insects

of smoke

which

fell to the grass

lower

branches

the

afraid

that

you

hidden

minute.

spirit."

"Have

"No,

you

but

ever

Kali

your

sorcerers

heard

are

noise

afraid of him?"

fully believe

and

and

the dreadful

not

huts and tell us

the negroes
pombe (a beer

Msimu?"

in the sorcerers' huts."

sorcerers

our

seen

has

Msimu

by

"The

"

that, 'Msimu'?"

"Evil

"So

is afraid of 'Msimu.'

KaH

"What's

eggs

pear
ap-

in the tree?"

"No;

enter

would

creature

strange

do you look like that?" asked Stasch;

believe that there is another
snake

"Why

made

the

were

some

at any

"do

and

unmercifullykilled with
by Kali, who all the time stared fixedly
two
openings in the hollow trunk as if

stones
at

the bark

from

bring
made

meat,

with

in

that Msimu
them

from

him;

they

is angry,

bananas, honey,
a

which

certain
to

plant),
propitiate

Msimu."
Stasch

raised his

"I should

think

eyebrows.

it would

be

to
delightful

be

THROUGH

314

of your

one

been

have

Kali

But

sorcerers.

his head.

shook

killed

been

the

so

after

dust;

have

rupted
suddenly interthe lower cavity in the
From
strange-looking cloud of red
which
the
crackling became

him.
came

not

is dead."

elephant. Msimu
weird
crackling sound

tree

would

Msimu

but

Msimu,

elephantwould

killed the
A

this snake

could

Msimu?"

"If this had

have

DESERT

THE

louder.
Kali
and

at

began

to

Aka!

first Stasch

mold, loosened
smothered

Aka!"

back, too, but he

and
he

Nell

when

he said, "that layersof

likely,"
by the heat, have fallen down

the fire.

But

Kali

believes it

shall pour
water
cavity,for if the fire is not smothered
mold

should

whole

tree

Stasch
terror,

and

explainedthe probable

into the

Mea

Msimu.

was

soon

them.

to

"It is most

and

Aka!

drew

regained his composure,

Mea
came
running up
cause

his face

on

in terror:

scream

Msimu!

"Aka!

At

prostratedhimself

once

it might
ignite,

burst out

and

the

and

the

be consumed."
saw

that

Kali

Aka!"

repeating"Aka!

his rifle,
shot into the

stilllay prostrate in
so

cavity,then

he

picked up

touched

the

with the butt of the gun

and said :
Msimu
is shot. Don't be frightened."
"Your

boy

Kali

raised

his knees.

himself

but remained
little,

on

great, great sir! Is the

"O
afraid

After

reply was

was

very

had

not

Stasch

appetite,for in
helping of smoked

returned

take out

to

wondered

concluded

small

unable

to

Stasch
the

cavity was

and

would

be

persons,
a

door
it was

giant tree.
into two
one

of

the

ashes,

beetles,

uncoil
the
out

could

have

dained
dis-

either

monster
or

prey

off,and thus cleaned

formed

more

the snake, but

proximity to

that

such

the bats

how

heat had caused

four

and

was

large insects.

lived in such close

The

the mold

bats, the pilesof roasted

other

being

there

be done, for it took

to

and

he

Then

sycamore.

the tree, where

to

hours

two

Stasch

he

he

meat

liver of the young

zebra, not to
the wild figs,
of which grew
quantities

the burned
and

fright
addition

his

stillplentyof work
than

his momentary

that

neighboring

laugh.

raw

mention
on

evident
affected

the

ate

even

became
the negro
calm, and
It
to the meal
prepared by Mea.

substantial

not

master

while

down

to

315

of Msimu?"

Stasch's

sat

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

could

not

reach

itself inside the

layersof

mold

it,

tree.

to break

the interior very

oughly.
thor-

delightedto see this, for

as
spacious as a large room,
big enough not only to shelter
but ten.
lower
The
opening

was

the upper, a window

sequently
con; and
neither dark nor
stuffyin the

Stasch

decided

by

rooms

these

he

to

means

intended

divide the
of the tent
for

Nell

terior
invas;
can-

and

THROUGH

316

Mea

DESERT

THE

the other for himself,KaH, and

and

Saba.

the top, therefore

in order to
rain could penetrate it, and
no
make
it completely waterproof it was
only
The

tree

to

necessary

decayed at

not

was

raise and

both

openings,so
They decided to

over

sun-dried

with

and

stream,

to

the bark

prop

form

to

as

slightly
two

ters.
gut-

the floor inside

strew

sand

from

the

cover

this with

of

bank
a

the
of

padding

dry moss.
This

was

hard

very

Kali, for he had also

to

especiallyfor

work,

the meat,

smoke

water

supply food for them all,as

for the elephant,who
minded
continuallyrethe
them
of it by trumpeting. But

the horses, and

well

as

set

negro

young

to

work

with

industry arranging their

for his industry
reason
Stasch that very day.
"If the Great
his hands
Kali
the
the

his

on

will not

you

"Kali

is

like
a

should

"And

yet

"But,

on

and

you

surelybeat

large hedge for

nothing to do in

her."

he likes to be

that I work

the other
she

said Stasch.

idle,for

work."

see

for the Great

should

live in the tree.

to

build

so

by

Bibi," said he, with

being idle,eh?"
and

The

discovered

was

he will have

man,

only women

work

to

and

zest

abode.

new

hips,"are

have

night,and so
evening."

"So

and

Man

great

Man

for Bibi."

hand, Bibi will have

when

refuse, the

she grows
Great
Man

to

up

"

will

THROUGH
At

the very
and cried

up

"You
"I

DESERT

THE

thought
angrily:

317

of this Stasch

sprang

fool,do you know what 'Bibi' is?"

don't know," answered
the frightened

boy.
"Bibi is

is

good Msimu."
At this Kali fairlystaggered.
On finishing
his work
he walked
shyly up to
Nell, prostratedhimself on his face before her,
and began in a beseeching,
if not a frightened
"

"

voice, to repeat:
"Aka!

Aka!

And

the

"good

deringlywith
could

Msimu"

looked

at

him

won-

her

lovelysea-green eyes, for she

had happened, and
understand
what

not

what

Aka!"

the matter

was

with Kali.

CHAPTER

VII

which Stasch
dwelling-place,
all ready for
"Cracow," was
days. Most of the baggage had

THEnamed
new

in three

placed in

"the men's

the house

was

ready

well

sheltered

The

rainy season

This

rain is not

when
clouds

the

sky

and

had

the

the earth

the wind

our

over

so

several

been

were

storm.

severe

in in earnest.

long autumnal

monotonous,
Here

set

now

is covered

lasts for weeks.

water

during

them

before

even

the four youngsters

there

like

and

room,"

had

storms,

with

lowering
dreary weather

the dense

are
plentifully
times a day.

clouds

which

by
dissipated
Then

the

sun

THROUGH

318

again as though just emerging

shines

and

the entire

can

almost

one

the grass
is

can

are

which

are

fruit

one

The

on

excessive

transparent that

out

and
distinctly

great distance. On the horizon

beautiful
rainbows, the colors of
to

see

there

it so

objects stand

f oKage

before

forming.

in the air makes

far-off

The

grow.

is luxuriant, and

off another

moisture
even

its goldenlight.One

jungle with

see

trees

drops

from

floods the diffs,the stream, the trees,

bath and

the

DESERT

THE

always reflected

in the waterfall.

During the short dawn and the twilightthe

ors
sky shone and reflected a thousand brightcolwonderful

more
seen

in the

even

hanging

down

than

the children had

Libyan

nearest

desert.

the water

colored, and the higherregions,better

cherrylighted,

purple and gold, and the

like rubies,
small, puffy clouds shone alternately
vals
amethysts, and opals. At night,in the interlooked

like

clouds

The
were

ever

between

seas

of

showers, the

moon

on

and

diamonds, and

lightshone

into
much

more

the

the leaves of the acacias

dewdrops hanging
mimosas

converted

the

tropical
brilliantly
through the

fresh, transparent air than

at other

seasons

of

the year.
Under

formed
the waterfall, in the swamps
the stream, the croaking of frogs and the

by
melancholy concert of toads rang out, and the
like shooting stars, flitted through
fireflies,
the

bamboo

other.

bushes

from

one

bank

to

the

THROUGH

820

THE

DESERT

Nell

picked a peculiarkind of begonia,*

which
in large quantitiesbetween
the
grew
crevices of the rock; she approached the slope
which they had formerly ridden out of
over
way

the gorge,

and walked

large boulder

The

tillshe

had

barred

the cHff, and

to the rock.

came

broken

off the side of

the mouth

of the ravine

before, but Nell noticed that there

as

enough
cliff for

it and

between

room
even

grown

the wall
to

person

still

was

of

the

get through

easily. She hesitated a while and then passed

through,gaining the oppositeside. But there
stillanother
was
bend, which had to be passed
before reachingthe broad mouth
of the gorge,
enclosed by the waterfall.
Nell began to consider
she should do.
"I will go only a.
what
little farther; then
and

rock

take

and

not

spy

she

crept forward

me,

I will look
the

from

elephant;he

peep

at

then

I shall turn

the gorge
suddenly widened
the
and then she saw
deep valley,
stood

with

his back

back."

until she reached

where

toward

behind

the

into

will
So

place
small,

elephant.He

her, his trunk

in

taking a drink. This encouraged

her, and keeping close to the wall of the cliff,
she walked
few
a
a
steps, bending forward
littlemore;
just then the giantbeast, who was
going to take a bath, turned his head, saw the
littlegirland immediately started toward her.
but having
Nell was
thoroughly frightened,
her very prettiest
time to retreat, she made
no
the water,

'Begonia Johnstoni.

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

321

courtesy, and then extendingher hand

said
begonias,

she held the

voice

trembhng

good-day to

to say

colossus

The

from

took

I have

"

here

come

only these

little

approached,put out his trunk

Nell's fingersthe blossoms, but
he

had

sooner

of the

the taste

saw

now

stringyleaves
directlyabove

resembled

which

stretched

and

hands

at

one

hung

time, then her

and

down

began

to

snake; it
little

her

and

arms,

swing

like

his trunk,

her

contracted, touched
a

not

flowers.

the

or

black

enormous

an

than

in his mouth

put them

drop, for evidentlyhe did

he let them

Nell

you

I have

so

know

"

flowers

and

and

hurt me,

elephant!

morning, dear

will not

you

it

rather

"Good

no

in

in which

at

last

side to

from

side.
"I knew

you

would

not

hurt

me," repeated

frightened.
girl,although stillsomewhat
nately
The
elephant flapped his huge ears, alter-

the

and

extended

contracted

his trunk, and

the grunt of satisfaction that he always

did when
the girlapproached the edge of the

gave

ravine.
Just

as

Stasch

face to face
or

not

"

he, a

rock, and

angry,

under
But

once

(Nell and

these two

now

had

but

monster

faced

the lion, so

elephant) stood
resemblinga house

the

if
tiny crab that he, even
merely careless,might trample

she

foot.
the careful beast did not

move

an

inch,

and

THE

THROUGH

322

seemed

DESERT

delightedat beholding liis

little

visitor.
Nell

graduallytook courage ; at last,raising

her eyes and looking up as if to a high roof,
she timidlyextended
her hand and asked:
"May I stroke your trunk?"
The
English,
elephant did not understand
what she meant
from
but he immediatelyknew
of her hand, and pushed the end
the motion
of his two-yard-longnose
into the palm of her
hand.
Nell began to stroke the trunk, at first
hand
and very
then
only with one
carefully,
with

both, and

around

it and

at

last she threw

clung

to

it with

both

childish

arms
fidence.
con-

from
foot to the
one
elephant moved
other, and grunted with satisfaction.
Soon
the
after, winding his trunk around
fragile body of the girl,he lifted her high
and
began gently to swing her from side to
The

side.
More!"

cried Nell,

delighted.
This game
who
lasted quite a while ; the girl,
had entire confidence in the elephantand
now
was
no
longer afraid,thought of another plan,
for on
reachingthe ground again she tried to
climb up the forelegof the elephant,
as
though
climbing up a tree, or hid behind him, and
asked him if he could find her. During these
pranks she noticed that in the elephant'sfeet,
in its hind feet, there were
a
especially
great
thorns, which the powerful animal was
many
"More!

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

828

able to extract, because, in the first place,

he could not reach his hind legs readilywith
not

secondly,because he evidently
wounding the fingerwhich forms

his trunk, and

was

afraid of

the

end

would

of the trunk, and

lose all his

that

thorns

dexterity.Nell

in the

which

without

feet torment

did not

he

know

Indian

phants,
ele-

and

especiallytheir cousins in the

African
jungles, which mostly consist of
aroused
pricklyplants. Her sympathieswere
for the kindlygiant,and squattingdown
near
of his feet, she began to pull out
the
one
tering
large thorns and then the small ones, chatincessantlyand assuring the elephant
that she would not let a singleone
remain.
He
understood

his

bending
there

well what

very

the matter, and

that
plainly showed

knee, he

was

thorns in the soles of his feet between

were

the

hoofs

these thorns

were

protecting the toes,

more
even
painfulthan

and
the

others.
Meanwhile
and

at

had

Stasch
asked

once

returned

Mea

where

from

ing,
hunt-

the littlelady

was.

On

receivingthe

that she

answer

was

ably
prob-

in the tree, he was

injust going to look side
when he thought he heard her voice in the
gorge.

To

the

make

edge
frightenedat
to

and

looked

what

he

froze in his veins.

feet of

the

he

sure,

down.

He

that the blood

saw

The

immediately sprang

girlwas

colossus, and

was

so

nearly

seated at the

the latter stood

so

THROUGH

324

and

ears

thought him

have

might

one

of his trunk

for the movements

but

quietthat

DESERT

THE

hewn

out

of stone.

Stasch.

screamed

"Nell!"

Earnestly engaged in what she

him cheerfully:
she answered
minute!

"In

The

boy, who

accustomed

not

in

to

pone
post-

his rifle

danger,pickedup

hand, while with the other he grasped

dried liana stem, twisted both legs around
it,

with

one

and

in

second

level of the

narrow

and

Stasch
but

at

but

sad

that Nell

saw

in

was

ger,
dan-

no

legsshook under him and

ered
violently.But before he recovin an
frighthe mumbled
angry

beat

from

Stasch!"

then his

even

his heart

around

arms

hastily,
"Elephant, don't

cried

once

the

uneasily,but

ears

put her

arose,

that's
frightened;

be

to

pass.

this instant Nell

his trunk

down

himself

swung

elephantflapped his

The
at

minute!"

was

when

action

In

doing,

was

his
voice:

"Nell, Nell, how

could

you

do that?"

herself,saying she had

began to excuse
done nothing wrong
after all,for the elephant
She

was

kind and

intended
go

take

to

her

if Stasch

detained

at him

her

only

and

then

by playing

carefullyswinging her, and

liked he would
swing him, too.

and

spoke these

trunk

and she had

now,

closer look

back, but he had

with

she

quitetame

with

one

words

she lifted the end

hand, and

drawing

that
As

of his

it toward

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

the other hand

Stasch, she waved

325

from

side to

side, saying:
rock Stasch, too!"
''Elephant,
The
inteUigentanimal guessed
in

and

she wanted,

what

movements

from
a

her

second

grasped by the belt and swung

through the air. Seeing him lookingso angry
and at the same
time swinging through the
air struck her as so comical, that she laughed
her cheeks, and clapping
tillthe tears ran down
her hands, she repeated as before:
"Elephant, swing Stasch, too!"
It was
vere
utterlyimpossibleto maintain a seand
demeanor
preach morality while
trunk and
hanging to the end of an elephant's
and
fro with
to
being involuntarilyswung
clock-like regularity,
the boy at last laughed
so
After
too.
while, noticing that the trunk
a
was
slowly,and that the elephant
moving more
Stasch

was

intended

to

and

him,

large ears
onto

put him

when

down,

one

of

near

idea seized

new

the

elephant's
self
swinging him-

it,and
the beast's head, seated
he held

on

to

himself

on

his neck.
"Aha!"

he

cried,as he glanceddown

"he shall know

And

began

with

that he has to

the look

to feel around

"Good!"

cried Nell

of

obey

lord and

the head
from

his

legs down

over

Nell,

me."
he

master

of the beast.

below, "but

will you get down?"

"That's very easy," answered

Dropping

at

how

Stasch.
the

elephant's

THROUGH

326

THE

head, he fastened

them

sHd down

from

as

"That's

the way
they both

Now
thorns

Stasch

fall,so

"Cracow"

at

her round

him.
on

tree.

I shall get down."

began to pull the remaining

no

decided

back

to

stacle
unexpected obfor the elephant

part with her, but turned

with his trunk

The

an

in their way,
account

Nell

to take

But

once.

stood
on

and

the trunk

mitted
elephant'sfoot, and he subpatientlyto the operation.
the first drops of rain had begun

Meanwhile

would

around

of the

out

very
to

DESERT

and

drew

her toward

began to be serious,and
obstinacyof the animal their
in danger of ending badly.
know
what to do, for it was

situation
of the

account

happy play was

The boy did not
now
raining harder
Both

retreated

and
a

bad

storm

short distance

ened.
threattoward

the

opening, but they had only taken a few

steps when the elephant followed them.
At last Stasch plantedhimself between
Nell
and the animal, looked severelyat him, and
whispered to Nell :
"Don't run
away, but retire slowlyand with
measured
passage."
step toward the narrow
"And
asked the httle girl.
you, Stasch?"
"Return!"
"for
he repeated energetically;
otherwise I shall have to shoot the elephant."
she
At this threat she obeyed, especially
as
now
completelytrusted the elephant,and she
felt

sure

Stasch.

that

on

no

account

would

he

hurt

THROUGH

328

THE

which

quinine

DESERT
been

have

might

overlooked.

he found

nothing. There only remained a

of the bottom
littlewhite powder in a corner
of the vessel which the missionaryin Khartum
had given him, but so littlethat it was
hardly
enough to whiten the tip of one's finger. He
therefore
decided to pour
boilingwater into
the receptacle
and give this water
to Nell to
But

drink.
As

had
the

the storm

as

soon

again,he
fish caught by Kali.
out

come

about

ten

line.

Most

with

subsided

of them

small, but there

were

foot

of the blue Nile, and

banks

said that these

about

knew

good
high out

were

sun

negro had caught

he had used for a

The

long,with silver spots,and

lightweight. Mea, who had grown
up
three

the

left the tree to look at

wire, which

and

very

to

were

of very
the

on

the fish,

eat, and

that

of the water.
night they jump
found
While
that they
cleaningthem it was
ders
were
so
fightbecause they had large air bladat

inside them.

skins, which
showed

pane

for

took

the size of

was

it to

"Look,"

Stasch

of these little

one

largeapple,and

Nell.

said he, "this

our

window

was

could

inside the fish.

be made
And

he

opening in the tree.

he thought for a minute
something else."

and

quantity of

these

bladders."

from

pointed

to the upper

Then
"And

"What?"
"Kites."

asked

Nell, very curious.

added:

THROUGH

THE

those

"Like

DESERT

used

you

329

fly in

to

like them!"
Oh, good! Make
some
"I will; I will make
the small frames

stripsof bamboo, and use

instead of paper.
They will

these

thin

better than

paper

them.

Such

in

and
a

strong wind

out

of

bladders

lighterand

be

the rain

Said?

Port

will not

trate
pene-

flyvery high,and
knows
fly Heaven

kite will

it will

"

where."
Then

he

"I have

an

"What

idea!"

is it?"

"You

will

As

see.

shall know

you

soon

as

ourselves

so

plan is formed

my

all about

elephant is trumpeting
In

his forehead.

suddenly tapped

it.
loud

And

can't

we

hear

talk."

fact, the elephant trumpeted

and

continuouslybecause he
Nell, and perhaps for both
the

shook

the

now

whole

loudly

lonesome

was

for

children, that it

and

gorge

so

the

neighboring

trees.

"If

let him

we

see

us," said Nell, "it may

So

they walked
Stasch, quitetaken up

him."

mutter

to

"Nell
from
hands

to

with

and

Said, who

Stanislaus
have

of the Dervishes,

And

"Yes,

the gorge.
But
his new
gan
idea, be-

himself:

Rawlison

Port

toward

quiet

are

Tarkowski,

escaped from
to

the
"

be found

taking breath, he asked himself:

yes, but where

"What,

shall I say

"

where?"

Stasch?"

"Nothing, nothing!

I have

it

now:

'They

THROUGH

330

be found

can

east

month's

of the blue Nile

When

assistance.'

I will send

wind

"

journey away to the

and beg for immediate
is

there
up

kites, and

of such

DESERT

THE

north

west

or

hundred
one
twenty, fifty,
to
you, Nell, will help me

together."

stick them
"Kites?"

"Yes, and
be

of

service to

more

they had

Meanwhile
and
precipice,
move

from

went

once

one

for

away

than

us

reached
the

more

"

they

even

ten

may

phants."
ele-

the

edge of the
colossus began to

foot to the other, to shake

self,
him-

his ears, and as soon

Nell
as
minute he began trumpeting

prick up

to

this much

I tell you

again. At last the girlexplainedto the "dear

elephant"that they could not always stay with
tend
him, for they had to sleep,eat, work, and atto

household

duties

in

"Cracow."

He

only pacifiedwhen she threw down to him

the food Kali had prepared for him, but in the
evening the trumpeting began again. That
him the "King," for
night the children named

was

Nell insisted that before he entered the gorge he

have been the king over
all the elephants
must
of Africa.

CHAPTER
TA
-*^

the

URiNG

not

King,

that followed, when

rain, Nell spent

who

away,

days

VIII

now

made

because

he

no

most

of her time with

her ing
gothat she returned

objectionto

found

it did

THE

THROUGH

DESERT

331

frequently during the day. Kali, who was

afraid of elephants,
was
surprised
very much
him that the
at this,but at last they convinced
had bewitched
the
great and good "Msimu"
giant,and he too began to visit it. King was
kindly disposedto him and also to Mea; but
Nell was
the only one
who could do what she
liked with him, and a week later she ventured
Stasch felt very
to take Saba along with her.
much

relieved,for without

leave Nell

in the

himself, "under

of

care

he

worry
or,

"

the trunk"

of

as

he

expressed
elephant,

the

"

could

now

take
even
hunting, and sometimes
along without feelingany anxiety. He

Kali

go

certain that the animal

them

under

would

not

leave

now

any circumstances, and he began

he could release King from
to how

ponder as
his imprisonment.
He
had long ago fullydecided
to

of action

on

his

but the sacrifice it demanded

felt

plan

was

so

great that he considered a long while before

then put it off from
attempting it,and even

day
to

day.

to

talk the matter

confide his
her

upon

"The

be

until

one

else with whom

finallydecided to
Nell,althoughhe stilllooked

he

child.
could

mean

be blasted," said he, "but

the destruction of a great

for
cartridges,

many

into

as

no

over,

plansto

rock

that would
to

he had

As

removed,

and

bullets would

the

the

powder poured

enough was obtained.

the deep crevice in the

This
middle

I would

have
out

put
of the rock.

THROUGH

332

THE

DESERT

it up, and

cover

be blown

to

"But
noise

lightit.
and we
pieces,
that

suppose

wouldn't

he

The

would

rock

then

could let King out."

to make

were

dreadful

be

frightened?"
let him be frightened
"Then
I" repliedStasch
quickly. "That is the least thing that worries
Nell, it reallyis not worth while talking
me.
to you."
seriously
Nevertheless
he continued talking,
rather
or
thinking aloud:
"If too Httle powder be used the rock will
and the powder will be wasted, and
not split,
yet if enough be put in there will not be much
left over;
to explode prebesides,if it were
maturely
we
might be killed. Then what would
"

be left to hunt
of

case

I had

should
when

attack?

an

not

with, what

had

long

since have

in Gebhr's

hands
in

could not

we

defend

us

with

in

quitewell that if
these cartridges
we

know

You

this rifleand

lucky, too,

are

to

or

lost

lives,either

our

from

starvation.

having horses,
carry

We

for

either the

selves
by ourbaggage or

the

cartridges."
Thereupon Nell put out her forefingerand
said very emphatically:
"If I tell King to do it,he will carry everything."
"What

burdens
few

have very

will he

have

to

as

can

he

can

with

we

thingsleft."

"Nevertheless, he will protect us

"But

carry;

not

my

shoot game
rifle."

with

"

his trunk

THROUGH

"Well,

we

figsand

eat

can

fruits that grow

catch fish."

can

"Yes,
must

long as

as

DESERT

THE

the

large pumpkin-like

the trees, and

on

stay near

we

333

Kali

We

stream.

stay here and wait until the rainy season

is over,

for these continual

give you

the fever.

continue

our

Remember

are

that

journey later,and

strike
"Like

showers

we

to

sure

must

we

may

sibly
pos-

desert."

Sahara?"

the

Nell, much

asked

alarmed.

"No;
trees

but

and

without

one

acacias

like that

one

can

and

and

streams

mimosas.

only live

would

find grass, and I

nothing to shoot them

In

on

fruit-

place
King

game.

but if I
antelopes,
with King could

have
not

capture them."
Stasch

to be worried,
certainlyhad reason
for now
that the elephant was
and had
tame
well acquainted with them, it would
become
so
be right to desert him
and leave him to
not
the other hand, releasing
him meant
starve ; on
and certainly
losingmost of the ammunition
riskingdeath.
And
Stasch put the work
off from day to
so
haps
day, every evening repeating to himself: "Per-

think of

I may

Meanwhile

other way
troubles came

some

other

In the first place Kali

by
stream

bees

after

so-called

when
rather

bee-hawk,

he

had
went

small

been

to-morrow."
upon

them.

tortured
terribly

far

down

the

bird, a
gray-green
well known
in Africa.
The

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

334

the bees

boy had been too lazy to smoke

out, and althoughhe returned with some

black

he

stung and swollen that

so

was

with

Mea's

stings,and
mud.

of wet

"good Msimu,"
assistance,drew out the poisonous
him
then quickly made
poultices
toward
But
morning it seemed

though the poor

good care
triumphed, but it

negro

as

his usual
In

with

wrong

and
was

die.

would

strong

ten

days

nately,
Fortu-

constitution
he

before

gained
re-

health.

second

the

later

hour

an

The

unconscious.

he became

honey,

place,something

the

had

gone

Stasch, who

horses.

was

obligedto tie them up and lead them to water

during Kali's illness,discovered that they were
beginning to get very lean. This certainly
caused by insufficient food, for the
not
was
very luxuriant after the rain,making
grass was
good pasture. And
yet the horses
very
A
before his eyes.
few days later
dwindled
their hair began to fall out, their eyes had lost
and a thick slime ran
from
their brilliancy,
their nostrils. Finally they refused to graze,
and drank a great deal,as though consumed
by
ing
nothWhen
Kali saw
fever.
them they were
but
what

was

skin and

bones, and

he knew

once

the matter.

"Tsetse !" said he, turningto Stasch.

must

at

"They

die!"

Stasch

knew

what

this meant,

Said he had often heard

"tsetse,"which is such

of
a

an

for

flycalled
plague in cer-

African

terrible

in Port

THROUGH

336

DESERT

THE

IX

CHAPTER

day

ONE

putting

was

small

meat
into her
piece of smoked
drew back suddenly,as if disgusted,

mouth, she
and

Nell

table, just as

at

said:

"I can't eat

anything to-day."

Stasch, who
the bees

were,

and

taken

the

had

eaten

too

had

found

and

had

Kali where

from

smoked

honey, was
much

out

them

certain

daily

out

that the child

of the sweets, and

fore
there-

he

paid no further attention to her loss

of appetite. But
gan
and bepresentlyshe arose
to run
quicklyround and round the campfire,each time making largercircles.
"Don't
go too far away," called the boy to
her; "something might happen to you."
harm
he was
But
not afraid of any
coming
of the elephant,whom
to her, for the presence
the wild animals scented, and his trumpeting,
that reached
their keen, attentive ears,
kept
This afforded
distance.
them
at a respectful
cause
protectionto them as well as their horses, beeven

the

jungle,such

do not
or

the most

care

to

as

come

ferocious

beasts

and leopards,
lions,panthers,
in contact

with

elephant,

an

in too close

and

As

faster

the

proximityto his tusks

girl continued running

faster around
asked

the fire,Stasch

followed

trunk.
and

her and

"Nell,
around

in

of prey

you

little moth,

the fire like that?"

why

do

you

run

feel

I can't sit stillin

place.'*

one

"

and

uncomfortable

so

queer

she leaned her head

once

on

confessinga fault, and

stifled by tears:

voice

voice, he

his uneasiness

if

as
a

cheerful

the matter?"

"What's

All at

337

answered:

"I don't know;

"I

alarmed, and

be

Nell

as

this in

asked

Though he
had begun to
increased

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

"Stasch, I

der,
his shoul-

cried out

in

of

his

and

as

be ill."

must

"Nell!"
the

At

hand
cold

her in his

he took

ice. Then

as

palm
felt dry

forehead, which

her

on

laid the

he

time

same

carried her to the

and

arms

camp-fire.

the way.
you cold?" he asked on
"Cold and hot, but mostly cold."
"Are

Her

began to chatter,and

teeth

shaking with chills. Stasch

had

that Nell

to

tree, to undress
he

covered

take

her, and

her

at

put her

once

into the

to bed.

her

up with everything he
find, for he had noticed that in Khartum

Fashoda

was

convinced

now

was

body

the fever.

told Mea

He

her

Then
could
and

patientscovered themselves up
with sheep skins to induce
perspiration.He
decided to stay with Nell all night and give her
hot water

fever

and

mead
take

to

it.

drink.
the

At

first she did

light of their
rudely made lamp Stasch noticed the glistening
plaining
pupilsof her eyes. Soon she began comof the heat and shivering
at the same

not

want

to

By

THROUGH

338

THE

time, although covered

shawl.

Her

hands

DESERT
with

felt rugs
forehead were

and

and

always

edge
knowlcold,but if Stasch had only had a slight
of the symptoms
of the fever he would
have seen
from her great restlessness that she
have a very high temperature. He
must
was
terrified
with

on

hot

noticingthat when Mea appeared

water
the girl looked
with
at her

astonishment,

recognizeher at first. But

talked rationally,
told him that
lie down
any longer,and begged
to

and

get up
whether

he

about.

run
was

on

case

she blinked

his

assuringher

him

she could
him

her

seem

she
not

to let her

for

that this

drive back

to

with

she asked

Then

with

angry

and

did not

with fear, and

even

him

being ill,
not

was

the

tears, and

her

be well the next

promised that she would
day.
During this evening,or rather this night,the
restless and roared
elephant was
particularly
incessantly,which set Saba
barking again.
Stasch perceivedthat this excited the patient,
and
he left the tree to quiet the animals.
so
Saba was
cult
diffibut it was
more
easilypacified,
Stasch threw
to silence the elephant,and
several melons
trunk

by

the

for

down
while.

of the stream
meat

"What

going?" he

on

are

him

On

the fire Kali

lightof

smoked

to

you

asked

and

so

as

to

his return

close his
he

saw

rection
walking in the dicarrying a piece of

his shoulder.

doing, and
the negro.

where

are

you

THROUGH
The

black

and
boy stood still,

he said with

"Kali

DESERT

THE

there for the bad

Stasch

as

proached
ap-

air of secrecy:

the other tree

to

goes

an

339

place meat

to

Msimu."

"Why!"
"So

bad

the

will

Msimu

kill

not

good

Msimu."
wanted

reply,but a strange pain

pressedlike a weight on his chest, so he only
bit his lipsand went
silently
away.
Stasch

to

to the tree Nell had

he returned

When

closed

hands, which lay on the felt rug,

trembling very much, but still she appeared

her eyes
were

her

to be

dozing.

afraid of

side,and

as

remained

there motionless

who

seated

was

he

Stasch

in her

on

for

down

by

her

awaking her,
some

time.

he

Mea,

the other side,toyed all the

piecesof ivory hanging

come
It had bein order to keep awake.
quiet,and only from the lower bed
the

with

time

was

sat

ears

very

little

in the direction of the swamp,

ful
could the croakingof the frogs and the mourn-

of the stream,

tooting of the toads

Suddenly

be heard.

Nell raised herself up

in bed.

"Stasch!"
"Here

I am,

Nell."

Then, shaking like

leaf blown

by

the wind,

eagerlybegan to search for his hand

repeat hastily:
"I'm frightened;I'm frightened!Give

she
to

your

and

me

hand!"

"Don't

be

frightened.I'm

here with

you."

THROUGH

340

And

THE

DESERT

he

burned
grasped her hand, which now
like fire,and having no
idea what
to do, he
the poor, wretched
little hand
began to cover
with

kisses.

"Don't

be

Nell;
frightened,

he gave her
with water, which had
Then

Nell drank
the

cup

hands

drink

become

and
greedily,

from

away

tight. The

don't be

of

This

time

he tried to take

mouth

cold drink

mixed

honey

cold.

when

her

ened."
fright-

she

held

seemed

to

his

quiet

her.
A

long

silence ensued.

Nell

raised herself up
terrible expressionof

Half

an

hour

later

a
again,and there was
frightin her wide-open

eyes.

"Stasch!"
"What

is it,my

"Why," she
voice,"why do
the tree

and

Stasch
had

taken

"What
"There's

asked

Gebhr

in

and

trembling,uncertain
Chamis

here.

one

around

she

around

look in at me?"

Kali

is the

of ants

he

said.

only

one

the tree."

through the
and cried with chatteringteeth:
"And
the Bedouins!
Why
But

walk

suddenly felt as if thousands

possessionof him.
are
talking about?"
you
no

walking

dear?"

stared

dark

did

opening
you

kill

them?"
Stasch

put his

her to him.

arm

around

her and

pressed

"You

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

happened

had

This

back

long

time

like the

to her

back

always came

"

To-day!

"To-day!

there!

over

happened long ago."

think of it! That

Don't

look

Don't

why!

know

341

but

ago,

that rolls

wave

the shore,and it filledthe mind

upon

it

of the

All attempts to quiether

Nell's eyes grew
largerand

sick child with horror.

unavailing.

were

if it would

as

and

and

water,

"I'm

like

to

twist

fish drawn

daybreak

weak!"

till

did her

sink back

she

down
falling

out

lasted

her littlehead

and

to be

seem

began

condition

until

weak,

weak,

"Stasch, I

that
Not

nearly morning.
strength give out
the pillow.
on

she

Then

burst.

that it seemed

hard

so

herself around

throw
the

of

beat

heart

larger. Her

some

repeated.
place."

then she closed her eyes.

And

first Stasch

At
she

dead.

was

was

But

this

was

thought

for he

overcome,

only

end

the

of

of this terrible and treacherous

the firstparoxysm
African
fever, two attacks of which are as

much
for

as

nobody
Mr.

even

that
and
two

to
a

often

described
house

Tarkowski

Europe

second

had

attack

when

Said, and
missionaries

Catholic

told about

"

third attack.

in Port

on

stand

the fever

entertained

comes

can

person

survived

frequentlythe

Mr.

back

ever

Rawlison's

more

whom

has

had

Travelers
at

strong, robust

their way

on

it.

after

It
few

seems

days,

within
third,which, if it does not appear
weeks, is not fatal,for then it is considered
a

THROUGH

342

to be the first attack

knew

that

stop

DESERT

THE

heavy

of another

doses

of

quininealone

alleviate the attacks, and

or

Stasch

case.

he

could

had

not

of it left.
particle
still breathing,he became
Seeing that Nell was
somewhat
composed, and began to pray
In the meanwhile
the sun
for her.
appeared
a

behind

the cliffs in the gorge, and it became

elephant was
bright daylight. The

from

alreadydemanding
of

direction

shoot

the

stream

could be heard.

water-birds
to

the

his breakfast, and

As

birds to make

some

screams

the

from

the

of

the

boy wanted

broth

for Nell,

along the edge of

of high shrubs, in which
the stream
to a group
the birds generallyperched for the night. But
from
loss of sleep,and his
he was
so exhausted
mind was
so
preoccupiedwith the thought of
the girl's
illness,that he did not see a swarm
of birds, walking slowly in single file,that
passed him on their way to drink. Another
reason
why he did not see them was that he was
constantlypraying. He thought of the deaths
the rifle and

he took

walked

Bedouins, and
liftinghis eyes toward heaven, he said in a
"Dear
voice drowned
with emotion:
Lord, I
it
did this for Nell, for Nell; for otherwise
of Gebhr

would
our

Chamis

been

have

freedom

"

but restore

me,

and

the

impossibleto

have

but if I committed
her to health

regained
sin,punish

"

he met
the way
Kali, who had gone to
had eaten the meat
Msimu
if the wicked

On
see

and

THROUGH

344

with

beaks, cranes
number

THE

DESERT

crowns

their heads, and

on

of

gulls,variegatedor gray as mice,

fro
to and
ran
which, like tiny forest sprites,
their long, thin, straw-like legs.
on
Stasch shot two large,bright-colored
ducks,
which
dead white butterflies,
and walking over
the banks by the thousand,
strewn
over
were
first making sure
there were
crocodiles in
no
and picked
into the water
the ford, he waded
The
shot had evidentlyfrightened
up the game.
the birds, for there remained
only
away
two

marabous, that stood

short distance

shoulders.

They

away.

bald

with

men,

near

heads

resembled

bowed

down

two
on

at

old
their

boy took
another
look at their ugly food bags,hanging
down
their breasts, then finding that the
on
were
surrounding him, he returned to
wasps
the

move.

The

camp.

Nell
to

They

did not

the water

Mea

still asleep,so

was

and

he gave
the ducks
stretched himself out on
a

then

felt rug
and at once
fell into a heavy sleep.
did not awaken
He
until the afternoon, a little
earlier

than

Nell.

The

girl felt somewhat

being slightlyrefreshed, she
stronger, and
drank some
good, strong broth, arose and left
the tree to look at King and the sun.
Only
the ravages
by daylight,could be seen
now,
made by the fever in one
night. Nell's skin was
black,
yellow and transparent, her lipswere
there were
largecircles under her eyes, and her
little face

looked

much

older.

Notwithstand-

DESERT

THE

THROUGH
assured

345

she

Stasch

felt

quite
though she had drunk a large
strong, and even
hardly able
cup of soup on awakening, she was
Stasch
to drag herself to the edge of the gorge.
terrified at the thought of the second attack.
was
He
had no medicine, nor
anything else
to help her.
several heavy showers
Meanwhile, there were
midity
day, and this greatlyincreased the huevery
ing

she

that

in the air.

CHAPTER

not

of the fever, but

violent

had

look

lost

like

as

the

weight

little flame

feeblythat

it seemed

Stasch

have

to

wait

of her
if

as

realized
for

from

hour

to

and
as

misfortunes
mental

he looked

himself, "My
as

the

ghost

breath

would

that death

quitethin

were

more

strength could
reward
my

of

a
so

blow

would

not

carry

her

to

day

and

to

day,

than
stand.

dark, for
his

bodily
Each
day

into Nell's face he often

apple of

thin

hour.

He, too, had become

these

felt

life flickered

off,and he expectedher death from

even

so

was

she did not

that

third attack

it

Nell

become

rather like the

girl,but

girl. The
it out.

had

turn
re-

attack

though

previous one,

much

so

the second

week, and

after it. She

weaker

much
and

for

appear

so

days awaiting the

passed anxious

THEY
did not

for
eye

having

said to

cherished

will be the

her

of
privilege

THROUGH

346

her

burying

THE

DESERT

in the

jungle!" Why it should

have come
to this he could not imagine. At
times he reproached himself for not
having
of her, and for not having
taken sufficient care
treated her as kindly as he should, and then he
felt such a pain in his heart that he could have
bitten his fingers for grief. This misfortune
was
overwhelming.
Nell now
which persleptalmost continually,
haps
saved her life. But

Stasch

her

awakened

several times

during the day to give her

Whenever
it was
strengthening food.
rainingshe would beg him to carry her out
air, for she

the open
often

happened

unable

was

that she went

he carried her in his

to

not

into

stand.

It

sleepeven

to

She

arms.

some

as

that she

knew

and that she might die at any time.

ill,
httle better and
At
she was
a
first, when
felt inclined,she would
talk about it to Stasch,
was

very

all the

time

she

crying, for

afraid

was

of

death.
"I shall

"But
made

return

never

tell him

must

you
me

very

papa," she once said.

that the thought of it

to

sorry, and

ask him

to

here

come

to me."

"You
But
wanted
And

will return," answered

he

unable

to

Nell continued

in

to

was

say

Stasch.
any

more,

for he

cry.
a

audible
scarcely

and

sleepyvoice:
"And
come

will come
here, and you will
papa
back here again,too, won't you?" At

THROUGH

DESERT

THE

347

face,
thought a smile lit up her tiny,wan
and then she whisperedstillmore
softly:
this

"But

the

At

"

his

and

Kali

return, and

I shall not

you

I should

what

know

even

carried

fell

back

her

asleep

the

to

tree,

stepped out of the dwelling

est
running down from the highwith
neck of land, gesticulating
crying out in an excited and
he

came

the

pointof

Nell

silent,and

became

again. Stasch
but hardly had
than

his

to

you."

do without
Both

quering
con-

quickly:

in fact I don't

and

he,

emotion, pressed her

own

"Nell, without
"

to cry, but

began

answered

heart, and

her littlehead

she leaned

time

same

his shoulder

on

sorry

so

am

his hands, and

terrified voice:
"Great
"What
And

Man,

extended

his hand,

pointing

cried, "Smoke!"
with

his eyes

Shading

Stasch.

asked

want?"

do you
the negro

the south, and

to

Man!"

Great

the

hollow

of

his

in the direction
hand, Stasch gazed attentively
abling
enindicated,the red lightof the settingsun
him

to

in the midst
of two

rather

see

column

of the

high

Kali trembled

of smoke

jungle between

ascending
the peaks

hills.

from

head

to

foot, for he still

vivid recollection of their capture

Dervishes, and he felt sure that the smoke

had

their camp.
At
last Stasch

by

the

came

from

also

thought

that

it must

THROUGH

348

Smain's

from

come

he

was

THE

much

as

the cHmax

and

camp,

come

Fashoda

Mahdi,

under

or

in

captured Nell
first day, and he

the very

For,

life,what

if he

even

body

the

to

hyenas and

the

If

they

doubtless

would

be

what

of his father

was

How
Mr.

or

Nell's

throw

to

were

die

slave for

Nell?

he could

was?
grave
Such
thoughts shot

of

would

without

could he look into the eyes

if the Dervishes
Rawlison

to

whip!
a

be

to

back

hands

to escape,

were

freedom

was

the

was

deadly

them,

carried

Abdullah's

be

should

life.

Khartum

or

This

to Nell's

upon

prisonersagain, and

taken

moment

Kali.

frightenedas

illness,the Dervishes

for

so

have, in addition

to

"

DESERT

tell where

not

her

lightning.Suddenly

he felt

desire to look at Nell, and

tree.

the
the

like

uncontrollable

an

he went

the

toward

he ordered
Kali to put out
the way
fire,and forbade him building it during

On

he entered

night; then

Nell

asleep. She

not

was

the tree.

immediately told Stasch.

and

his head

through

warmed

her

softlystroked

with

Saba

his

his head

felt better, as

enormous

and

lay at her side

body; she

smiled

tried to catch the littlegrainsof mold

flying about

in the streak

last rays of the

of the tree.
cheerful mood
turned

to

settingsun

than

Stasch

"Perhaps

She

I may

was

of

that

were

the

low
into the hol-

evidentlyin
a

more

littlelater she

quitepleased and
not

he

when

lightwhich

threw

usual, for

she

said;

die after all."

certainlywill

"You

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

349

die," answered

not

feel stronger after the

will never
have a third."

Stasch, "for as
attack, you

you

ond
sec-

lect
began blinkingas if tryingto recolsomething and then said:
"If I only had another littlebitter powder,
much
like the one
that did me
so
good the night
she

And

after the lion visited us;

you? Then I should not
not

even

And

with

one

in such

death

"Ah!"
I not

dying
"

cated
of her little fingersshe indi-

little she

how

think of

even

"

much

so

don't

remember,

you

would

be

prepared for

case.

would
"what
excitedly,
grain of quinine! I don't know

cried Stasch

givefor

what!"

thought to himself that if he had

enough quininehe would not hesitate to give
Nell two little powders at once,
her
then wrap
up in the shawl, place her on his horse, and go
off immediately in the oppositedirection from
And

he

of the Dervishes.
the camp
Meanwhile
the sun
had gone

and

down

the

suddenly
The
girl

in darkness.
jungle was
talked for nearly half an hour, and then went
to sleep,
and Stasch continued
to think about
and the quinine. Although torthe Dervishes
tured
and fright,his extraordinarily
by sorrow
clever brain began to build more
and more
ing
darplans. In the first place, he thought

whether
bound

or

to

not
come

this smoke
from

seen

Smain's

in the south
camp.

It

was
cer-

THROUGH

350

tainlymight

DESERT

THE

the Dervishes'

from

come

camp,

but

also from

who

penetrate the interior of the continent

search
in

of

ivory and

slaves.

wise connected

no

their trade.

ruined

Abyssinians, or

of

encampment

an

with
It

These

also be

be

not

negro

of

villagein

the

after human

yet penetrated. Would

find

sensible to

more

were

camp

mountains, into which the hunters

beings had

Arabs

in

the Dervishes, who

might

some

Arabians,

out

what

it not
it

really

was?

The

Arabians

of Zanzibar, from the districts

and the
Witu, and Mombasa,

Bogamajo,
seashore, continuallycame
of

whites, and who

reward

would

Stasch

and

Stasch

knew

them

such

not

induce
one

quitewell

his word.

with

could tell if the offer of

Nell to

in contact

to

of the nearest

another

large

conduct

seaports.

that he could

reward, and
But

them

the

promise

they would
thought caused

that

lieve
be-

him

vishes,
great uneasiness, for he noticed that the DerNubia, were
especiallythose from
to fever in Khartum
as
susceptible
the whites,and that they cured themselves with
quinine,stealingit from the Europeans, or if
the renegade Greeks
creted,
or
Copts had any sethey bought it at a great price. And
it was
so
probablethat the Arabians from the
would certainly
have some
borders of the ocean

almost

as

of it.
will go there," said Stasch
"for Nell's sake, I will go there!"
"I

to

himself;

THROUGH

352

will

you

never

THE
see

your

DESERT
children

Fatima

or

"

again.'
He

certain that Smain

was

that he would

of it and

would

well

think

scarcelyrefuse

such

an

offer.
Of

this

only a surmise. In fact,

while an
structio
investigationmight prove their deit might also prove
their deliverance,
and
the only means
of help in this African
wilderness.
Stasch
felt surprisedat himself
for being terror-stricken at first at the thought
of meeting Smain, but as it was
to
necessary
assistance for Nell as soon
as
possible,
procure
he decided to go there that very night.
course

This

was

was

easier said than

done.

thing to sit at evening before a

jungle,behind a hedge of thorns,
to

penetrate

the

dense

darkness

It is
fire in

and

one

the

another

and

wade

high grass, in which lions, panthers,

and leopards,
not to mention
hyenas and
jackals,prowl at this time of night. But the
what
the young
said
boy remembered
negro
the time when
off one
he went
night in search
of Saba and brought him back, "Kali is afraid,
but he goes!" and he repeated to himself, "I
be afraid, but I will go."
may
As the night was
very dark, he waited until
the moon
when
its light shone out
rose, and
the jungle he called Kali and said:
over
through

the

"Kali, put Saba

the

inside

the tree, and

opening with thorns ; you and Mea

guard the littlelady as the apple of your

up

block
must

eye

while I go to
there in that

paused

now

"Kali, you

KaH

said

hind!"
stay becision.
de-

with

return, and should

must

leave

in the

and

smart,

Should

I tell you.

will do what

I not

not

me."

and

faithful

that you

erect

also the

voice:

are

her

and

Stasch

to follow

hope

must

over

while, and then continued

hoarse

rather

people are

with him

Kali

take

"I forbid you

He

853

camp."

will remain,"

"You

of

kills wild beasts.

rifle which

in

kind

what

see

Man

"Great

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

the littlelady die, you

round

tree, but

high hedge, and

carve

it you

like

mark

"

this in the bark

bamboo
sticks, he
picking up two
tinued
placed them together like a cross, and conAnd

should

"And

die,then

not

I not
must

you

return, and
her

serve

her

due

There
you
and

Do

until

east

you

you

But

ocean

to

your
to take

is reached.

will find white

people,who will give

gunpowder, glass beads, wire,
canvas
as
possiblycarry.
you can

weapons,
as

her

warriors

the great

Bibi

and
faithfully

lead

and you
must
respectfully,
people,and tell the Wa-hima

should

much

understand?"
the

young

negro

knelt

clasped him round the knees,

pleaded with him, repeating:
"Oh, Bwana

Kubwa!

and

Return,

before

him,

sorrowfully
return,

turn!"
re-

THROUGH

354

Stasch
black
hand

"Kali, go
As

by the attachment of the

leaning down, he placed his

and

and

his head

on

said:

to the tree

stood

he

DESERT

touched

was

boy,

THE

there

taking the donkey

and

"

God

"

bless

you!"

alone, he thought about

with

be safe to do

so,

him.

It would

tainly
cer-

for the lions in Africa

(just as the tigersin India), on meeting a

man
riding,always attack the animal and not
the man.
But
the question then
presented
itselfthat if the donkey were
killed,who would
carry

Nell's tent, and

he

When

thought

what

on

of

these

would

she ride?

contingencies he

completely gave up the idea of taking the

animal
along, and began making his way
through the jungle on foot.
The
moon
was
already fairlyhigh in the
much
heavens, and it was
now
lighter. But the
boy'stroubles began at once, for he disappeared
in the grass, which had grown
so
high that horse
and rider could easily
have hidden in it. Even
in the daytime it was
to see a foot
not possible
ahead, so one can imagine what it was
by night,
the surwhen
the moonlight only shone over
face,
and lower
bathed
down
everythingwas
in utter

Under

darkness.

such

conditions

it

and travel in a circle

easy to lose one's way
instead of advancing. But Stasch took courage
was

when
camp

to

the most

from

he

place,that the
travelingcould be at
four English miles away

thought,in

which

he

only three

the neck

was
or

the first

of land, and

secondly,that

the

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

the

appeared between
high hills;so by keeping the
had

smoke

But

peaks

of two

two

hills in view

and

acacias

get lost.
the grasses, mimosas,

he could

355

not

cealed
con-

hills
everything.Fortunately,groups of antsometimes
than ten feet high, apmore
peared
Stasch carefullylaid
here and there.

he came
aside his gun
when
to each cluster of
ing
hills,and then he climbed to the top, and on see-

the

and

ground
hilltopsoutlined against the backof the dark sky, he climbed down
again

continued

When
the

he

journey.
thought of what
his

sky should

become

longer shine,

he

was

would
and

overcast

verj^

much

if

happen
the

moon

no

frightened.

only danger. In the dead

silence of the night in the jungle every noise,
by
step, and almost every sound made
every
the insects as they creep through the grass can
But

that

be heard.

not

was

The

the

sensation

that

comes

over

one

is gruesome
terrified. He had
; and Stasch was
to take precautionsagainst all sorts of catastrophes.
He
to

keep watch

was
on

obligedto
all sides,and

listen

attentively,

to hold

his head

ready to turn round like a screw, and his rifle

ready to shoot. Every minute it seemed as
animal
was
though some
lying in ambush, or
him.
From
time to time
was
creeping up near
he heard the grasses trembling and the tramping
of animals running away.
Then he thought
that he must
have frightenedoff the antelopes,
for althoughone
of their number
always keeps

THE

THROUGH

356

DESERT

watch, theysleepvery lightly,

knowing full well
that

do

huntsmen

amateur

not

hunting

out

go

of

he
night. But now
something dark, large,under an umbrella-

in the dark
sees

at this time

be

acacia.

It may
buffalo, which

him, and

he

black

"That's

rhinoceros,or

being will

scenting a human

on

immediately advance to attack

hind
also sees
two
glitteringthingsbe-

and

awaken

rock,

No!"

lion!

Rifle to shoulder!

"Ha!"

stone.

alarm!

False

They

are

tiny lightrises in the air and

ing
glidesover the grass, like a shooting star slantdownward.
Stasch not only climbed the
ant-hills to make
that he was
sure
going in
the right direction,but also to dry the cold
perspirationwhich stood out on his forehead,
for
fireflies,

to

get his breath, and

should

alreadyso
But

tired

he walked

be left undone
he

to

Nell.

save

very stony
lower, and so it was

was

The
a

to

came

little

there

nearer

irregularlyin
which

towered
encased

or

far off

as

some

were

transverse

kind

one

four

as

on

hours

they

valley or
which
King
the

but

ever,

running
direction, above

of

in

two

rocks

taller rock, and

Now

imprisoned.
three

a
a

the

about

After

place,where the grass

much
lighter.

peaks looked

two

until his heart

palpitate. Besides, he was

that he could hardly stand.
that nothing must
on, feeling

to

cease

wait

to

perceivedthe brightreflection

had

been
cliff

feet distant
of

sembling
re-

gorge,

side of the

hundred

ently
appar-

flame.

"

"

he

He

stood still. His

wildly that

so

could

hear

it

eastern

Will

mountains?

It

he

about

gone

heard

the

stood

counted

he

that
a

to

hundred

breath.

prisonme
im-

or

do

now,
so;

he

lightly

After

he

steps, he suddenly

Dervishes

no

one

was

fire had not

advance

would

the others

in the tall grass.

frightenoff the
God that thingswere

But

have

ably
prob-

were

he

had

was

prised
sur-

watching them, or that

been left burning in order

wild
as

without

The

lightof the fire

plainer. In less than
Stasch

of the

back

turn

the fire,steppingas

The

to

now

taken

Nell?

inclination

supposed that

hidden

least

villages,

neighingof horses in the jungle,and

he
still. By the lightof the moon

five.

so

more,

at

to

and holding his

possible,

had

he

him

the

savage

find death,

there

no

crept slowly toward

as

Or

impenetrableforest

impossiblefor

was

from

Dervishes, have

the

besides, he had

and

Dervishes

perhaps help for

or

likelyto

left their native

have

fleeingfrom
refuge in the most

is he

Arabians

there?

and

was

Whom

Smain's

who

negroes,

heart

thump.

coast

357

again beating
the silence of the night he

in

down

encounter

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

beasts.

He

thanked

they were, for he could

attractingattention.
on
a

the cliffbecame

quarter of

an

still
hour

placewhere the cliff opposite

him was
which
satisfied him
brilliantly
lighted,
be burning directly
below it.
that a fire must
Crawling on all fours, he crept carefullyup
reached

to the side and

looked

down.

THROUGH

358

The
was

objectthat

first

large white

DESERT

THE

attracted
Before

tent.

his attention
the tent

stood

camp-bed, and on it lay a person

wearing white European clothes. A small
apparently about twelve years old, was
negro,
into the fire,which
minated
illuthrowing dry wood
a

canvas

the

next

the

cliff,and
slid down

Stasch

moment

into the bottom

the moment

OR

-*-

that he

stood
man,

the

slope

of the gorge.

XI

CHAPTER

T^

of

row

either side of the tent.

sleepingon

were

negroes

The

side of

he

was

unable

was

and

weary

so

utter

to

excited

word, and

gasping for breath in front of the

who
mained
lay on the bed, and who likewise resilent,gazing at him with such utter
there

amazement

that he

At

man

last the

"Nasibu!

Are

all but dazed.

was

cried out:
you

there?"

"Yes, sir,"answered
"Do

you

see

any

the young
and is any

one

negro.

standing

one

in front of me?"
But

before

the

boy could

answer

Stasch

gained
re-

his voice:

"Sir," he said, "my

kowski.

was

is Stanislaus

name

captured by

Tar-

the Dervishes, and

escaped with little Miss Rawlison, and

we
are
hiding in the jungle. But Nell is very
ill,and I pray you to help us."
have

The

stranger blinked

at

him, then

passed

THROUGH

360

thank

his

though

new

friend

own

life were

DESERT
as
enthusiastically

as

at stake.

stranger nodded

The
and

his

THE

his head

said:

"Enough, enough. My
I

am

met
me

several times

with
very

Then

Zurich.

Swiss, from

days

Two

wild beast

toward

the black

accident.

an

is Linde

name

and
ago

wounded

severely."
turned

he

"Nasibu, fillmy

boy.

pipe."

Incliningtoward Stasch, he continued:

fever than in
"At night I always have more
the daytime, and attacks of dizziness as well.
But the pipe brightensme
up and freshens my
thoughts. You just said that you had escaped
and
from the Dervishes, who held you captive,
I
in the jungle. Am
had hidden
that you
right?"
"Yes, sir;that is what
"And
"To
"You

do

what
flee to

to

will fall into the hands

do?"

troupes of them

of the
are

Mah-

hanging

the frontier."

"But

what

else

"Ah,

only

of assistance
at

intend

Abyssinia."

dists,for whole
around

you

I said."

can

month

we

do?"

ago

But

I could

have

I find

been

myself
of God
the mercy
and this black boy."
Stasch looked at him in surprise.
"And
this camp?"
"This

is

"And

these

to

you.

camp

now

of death."

negroes?"

"These

asleep,and

are

negroes

awaken

never

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

361

will

they

again."
"

"I don't understand

this

lakes, where

ness/
sleeping-sick-

of the great
is always
terrible sickness

the shores

from

are

the

with

stricken

"They are
They

has
of them who
and every one
prevalent,
not died of the smallpox has been stricken down
with it. I have only one
boy left."
he was
It just occurred to Stasch that when
slidingdown the slopenot one of those negroes
had moved, nor
even
budged, and that during
the whole conversation they were
stillsleeping,
with their heads propped up against the
some
and
others
rocks
with their heads
hanging
very

down

their chests.

on

awaken?"
"They are asleepand will never
if he could scarcelybelieve his
he inquired,
as
ears.

Linde

responded:

"Oh, this Africa

But

by

is

house

of death."

the

the

remaining words were

interrupted
tramping of the horses, which, frightened

by something in the jungle,hopped along,

their feet being hobbled, to the edge of the
the people and the fireto be nearer
cliff,
so
light.
as
"That's

nothing;it is only the horses,"

'It has latelybeen

lates people,

as

well

discovered
as

oxen

sickness,though it has been

the sleeping sickness in some
of the

Mahdi

the

cause

that

and
found

this

same

horses,

with

the

their

sting only

that

places.

of this illness

At
was

the
not

said

tsetse-flyinnocu-

time

known.

fatal

of

sleeping

the

causes

revolt

THROUGH

362

THE

DESERT

the Swiss

quietly. "I captured them from the

I conquered a few weeks
Mahdists, whom
ago.
There were
of them. But they
at least thirtymen
had

men

my

part with spears, while

Remington rifles,which are now

for the most

armed

were

standingagainstthe wall useless. If

shot, help yourself. Take
or
weapons
On

too.

horseback

quicklyto your patient. How

"Eight years,"answered

choice

your

our

and

come

Nasibu

will

for her.

provisionsand as
again to-morrow

give
Take

much

as

to

get

more."

some

will

"I
from
can

of

want,

you

Stasch.

wine

tea, rice,coffee, and

you

more

old is she?"

she is still a child.

"Then

horse,

return

can

you

need

you

back,

certainlycome

the bottom

of vay

help you."
Whereupon Linde

to

heart, and

thank
do

to

you

all I

to

"It is
least

so

once

earlier

pleasantto
did

you

see

before

more

than

said

die.

to-day

alone

are

and

If

the
likelyto be myself. Now
on
again, for I see you double.
No!
people standing by me?
you

face at

European

shall be

fever

that this is

come

you

is

Are
I

more

coming

there two
know

only the

that

fever.

Oh, Africa!"
And
A

he closed his eyes.

quarter of an hour later Stasch

strange

camp

of

sleepand death

his return

horseback.

dark

oblivious

journey on
night,but he was

and

left this
started

It
of the

was

on

still

dangers

lurked

which

363

in the tall grass.

He

supposing that

it led

the stream,

to

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

kept

close

the

nearer

The
return
journey
pass.
because he could hear the
was
a great deal easier,
rushing of the waterfall in the distance. Besides,

end

of this

narrow

the clouds

in the

forth

and the constellations shone

boy put spurs, which were

Arabian
stirrups,to the horse,
The

the

moon.

the

broad

sticks and

galloped over
to

do

to

and

thoughts
He

all

not

scenes

he

and

reallyhad
The

floated

little

my

Swiss,

and

varied

his brain.
he

whom

to

jars

them

most

through

and

thers
pan-

time he felt for the

he

on

thought

quininefor

dream.

the wounded

saw

as

lions

can

I have

me?

girl."And from time to

of quinine to make
sure
was

stones,

harm

"What

himself:

that it

dispersed,
brightlynear

sky had

western

felt

had
now
inexpressiblygrateful, and who
aroused his sympathy, for during the first moment
or

so

him

taken

of his intercourse
for

an

his round

with

idiot ; he

head

with

him

he had

the little Nasibu,

saw

shaped like

ball,the

rows

sleepingmen, the barrels of the Remington

propped up againstthe rock, and lighted
guns
also all but certain
up by the fire. Besides, he was
had told him
Linde
that the fight which

of

had

about

felt

been

with

Smain's

peculiarsensation

Smain

also had

as

he

division

"

and

he

thought perhaps

fallen.

mingled with his ever-present

thoughts of Nell. He imagined how surprised
she would
be the next
morning on seeing a
These

dreams

THROUGH

364

THE

jar full of quinine,and

him a prodigy. "Ah," he

whole

think

"if I had

and

lost courage
where this smoke

out

DESERT

have

had

she would

how

said to himself,
not

gone

to

from, I would

came

find

never

forgiven myself."

elapsedthe sound of
the waterfall
became
quite distinct, and on
hearing the croakingof the frogs,he knew that
be near
which
the silicious ground on
he must
the previousday.
he had killed the water-birds
guish
distinhe could even
l^y the lightof the moon
After

short

the

distant

as

animals

had

obligedto

in the

was

had

far

now

to

all the

resort,

of the stream

banks

night,and apparently
had taken refuge in

into the

of prey
the clefts of the rocks after their nocturnal

beasts

the

for prey.

The

the

fresh

horse

neighed a

trail of

lions

the firsttime

in the

interior

reached

home.

of Africa
He

all still asleep,but

who
the

to

saw

on

silhouette of

since he had
felt

the

as

if he

been
had

expected to find them

he never
thought of Saba,
bark loud enough to wake
had

dead.

The
tree

began

now

he

ing
scent-

panthers, but

or

passed safely on, and soon

high projectionthe large black
For

hunt

little on

Stasch

"Cracow."

be

land

guard,

were
vicinity
because in other placesthe
were
exceedinglysteep.

It

he

Now

trees.

for this swampy

watering-place,to which
his

especiallyon
served

hour

next

and

moment

cried;

Kali stood

in front of the

THE

THROUGH
"Bwana
The

his voice

of

tone

was

powers

horse

out

for

expressed more
faith in

his

joy

Stasch's

great that had the latter created

so

of

365

horseback!"

on

astonishment,

than

Kubwa

DESERT

nothing,the black boy would

not

surprised. But as the

always shows his happinessby laughing,
negro
he began to slap his sides and laugh inordinately.
have

been

"Tie

up

much

very

this horse," said Stasch; "take

provisionsoff

his back, make

fire,and

boil

Nell

also

water."

some

and

awake

inside the tree.

he went

Then

had been

aside the

canvas,

thin hands

lying on
covering.
"Little

how

one,

was

ing
callingfor him. On drawStasch saw
by the light

of the little lamp her

the

pale face

and

the shawl, which

are

you?"

her

little

served

he asked

as

quite

gayly.
and

"Well!
me

up.

But

"Because

sleptsoundly until Saba

why aren't you asleep?"
I have
been away."
I

woke

"Where?"
"To

the

We

must

druggist's."
"To the druggist's?"
"Yes.
To
quinine."
get some
the

confess

quinine powders

taken, but
panacea

and

that the child had

as

she

which

she had

considered

for all the ills flesh is heir to, she

said:

not

joyed
en-

viously
pre-

them

sighed

THROUGH

366

"I know
Stasch

DESERT

THE
have

you

lifted

no

quinine."
jarsto the lightand

more

of the

one

and joy:
jDride

said with
"What

do

Nell

would

continued

call this,then?"

you

her

believe

not

hastily,brimming

with

over

he

so

eyes,

ure:
pleas-

going to get well again! I

will lose no time in wrapping a good dose up
swallow
in the skin of a fresh fig,and you must
"Now

it,and
seen.

what

you

Why

do

I have

Yes,
of

are

you

them

about

will drink

second

from

that I have

went

pleasantto
Brr!
a

go

the men's

to

and

think

you

it is

jungle by night?

second

him

time

unless

it

getting quinine."

these words

smallest
out

of

matter

With
went

not

is

camp

It is from

Do

the

through

go

I would

were

foot.

on

whose

both

Linde, and he
nice things
many
though
horseback, alon

but he gave me
I returned
back.

bring

idiot?

an

is

name

is wounded,
to

to be

I received

here.

His

like

me

man,

from

come.

at

jar,too.

white

miles

four

stare

you

later remains

he left the astonished

girl,
selectingthe

quarters, and

hollowed
it
fig from the provisions,
poured quinineinto it,but he was very

careful

that

powders

the

he had

dose
taken

larger than

was

left the tree, poured the tea into

water,

and

Then

in Khartum.

returned

to

Nell

the
he

ing
pot of boilwith

the

medicine.
All

this time

Nell

was

very

curious

to find

THROUGH

368

THE

DESERT
XII

CHAPTER

IT

until toward

not

WAS

started out

that Stasch

day

he had

because

the

noon

to make

night before.
Thinking that the sick

to revisit

for the

up

following
Linde,
had

sleephe

lost the

fresh

he

meat,

killed

need

might

man

birds

two

some

the

on

way,

appreciated.Linde was very

As soon
as
weak, but perfectlyrational.
they
Nell
had exchanged greetingshe inquiredhow
which

was

much

were

then he told Stasch

would

alone

quinine

that he did not

think

the fever, and

cure

said

against the
guard the little one
sun's rays, dampness, spending the night in
low, damp
places,and finally against bad
narrated
water.
Then, as requested, Stasch
and Nell's adventures
his own
from the beginning
that

he

must

as

far

as

their arrival

their visit to the Mahdi,

and

in

and

Khartum
Fashoda

from

to

their escape
from Gebhr's hands, and also their
later wanderings. During this story the Swiss
looked

at him

with

even

Stasch

its end

once

there

he

are

"The

after

best

the tale

head

foot, and,

to

in

thought,said :
boys like
many

country, it will be hard

And

as

lightedhis pipe,looked
from

more

apparentlylost
"If

admiration, and

evident

approached
at

and often
growing curiosity,

with

to

conquer

you

in your

you."

short silence he continued:

proof of

is the fact that you

the truth

are

of your

standing here

words

before

me.

And

that

you

route,

what

I want
in

are

dangers,
brave
boy as

such

both

himself

369

to

say

is this,

you

predicament; the
take, is

direction you
knows
but who

which

with

beset

to

terrible

matter

no

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

whether
lead

not
can
safely
you
that child out of this great

and

wilderness!"

everything in
"But
the

my

must

you

work

only get well again I will do

power," cried Stasch.
of yourself,
take care
too, for

would

"If Nell

lies before

that

you

would

tax

the

Have
j^ou ever
strengthof a full-grown man.
thought where you are?"
that after leaving
"No; I only remember
ment
Fashoda
we
passeda river near a large settlecalled Deng."
"The
river Sobat!"
interruptedLinde.
and
Dervishes
"At
Deng there were
many
"

But

negroes.
we

into

entered

marched

for

tillyou

came

listen;it is obvious
Sobat

with

southeast,

region

until

weeks

gorge, in which you

"I know.
You
gorge

we

know

what

then

went

of

arrived
took
on

that after

little more

you

Sobat

jungle,
at

place
through

to that stream.

the Sudanese
or

side of the

the other

on

Well,

passing over
turned

toward

and
the
"

the
now

the

off to the
the

south.

known
happen to be in is unto explorers and
geographers. This
river near
northwest, and probably
runs
us
empties into the Nile. I say probably,for I
not
am
mj^self,although I turned
quite sure

The

country

j^ou

now

THROUGH

370

off from

source.

Dervishes

told

me

they

even

were

DESERT

cover
Karamajo to disAfter
the fight the captured
that it was
called Ogeloguer,
for they only go
not
sure,
of

the mountains

its

but

THE

into this district to hunt

This

slaves.

land

was

part sparselyinhabited by the

the country is devoid of
Schilluks; but now

for

the

most

beings,for some
smallpox, others

of

Dervishes, and
of

mountains
Africa

that

still others

from

Lado.

with

Ermin

the

happens in
land thicklypopulated
I calculate

to-morrow.

about

300

tant
dis-

kilometers

uge
fact, you might take refin Sudan, but as it is quite
In

Ermin

Dervishes, that
"How

fled into

It often

wilderness
are

you

likelythat

have

Karamajo.

to-daybecomes
that

have

stretch of

peoplehave died
been
killed by the

of the

human

about

besiegedby the
is out of the question."
course
going to Abyssinia?" asked
himself

is

Stasch.

"It is also

nearly 300 kilometers distant.

that, one
at

now

war

must

with

reckon

the whole

that the Mahdi

Abyssinia.Besides, I have heard

are
prisonersthat bands of Dervishes
and

you

or

southern

from

races

believers

to

the

south

in Islam, and

are

the

ing
wander-

districts,and

might easilyfall into their hands.

is certainlya Christian
land,

savage

is

world, consequently

with

in the western

sides
Be-

either

for that

sympathize with the Mahdi.

secretly
not go through that country."
can

sinia
Abysbut

the

heathens

reason

No

they
;

you

shall I do, and

"Then

what

with

Nell?"

go

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

371

shall I

where

Stasch.

asked

in a difficult posi"I told you that you are

tion,"
murmured
Linde; then he covered his

"From
"would

here
be

ocean," he

the

to

than

more

at

last said,

kilometers, through
desert
tribes,and even

900

regions,wild

mountain

silent a while.

and remained

head with his hands

places,for on the way there are supposed to be

But
nominally the
large tracts of arid land.
country belongsto England. One might strike
their way
of ivory on
to Kismayacaravans
sionary
mismeet
and Mombasa,
Lam
perhaps even
I saw
that, owing
expeditions.When
the Dervishes, I could not

to

of this river,as

made

up

"Then

to go

will

we

east

course

the Nile, I

off toward

it turns

mind

my

the

escape

the ocean."

toward

together!"

return

cried

Stasch.
"I shall

and

sinews

my

poisoningmust
could
Now

save

first day the

"You

the

was

stiffened,but

on

the

great that I bit into

so

"

certainlyget well."
brave boy, I shall surelydie, and

will

"No,
you

pain

so

and

up

and

hands

my

beast tore

terriblythat blood
geon
certainlyset in. Only a surme
b}^ amputating my leg.
veins

dried

it has

Ndiri

The

return.

never

my

must

cover

hyenas
of

can

me

well

not

dig

little consequence

while alive it is not

with
me

up.
to

stones,

so

that

This
the

is haps
perdead, but

pleasantthought.

It is

hard

have

to

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

372

die

to

far

so

one's

from

away

family."
these words

At
after

while

"But

he

I will

is

road

the east toward

for

the

advice

pieceof

one

to

you

your
weeks.

little

stillcovers

are
now

the level of the

three hundred

thousand
and
of

if by chance
lower

the mountains

haps
per-

of

mer,
sum-

the water

elevated

an

feet above

high regions of
feet there is

assumes

places
milder

much

one

fever,

no

it be carried there from

altitude, it

Take

form.

In

sea.

is

the

healthful.

hundred

plateau lying nearlyseven

and

the most
are,

panion
com-

Postpone

is over
journey until the rainy season
even
longer. The first months
when it has ceased raining,and
This

is to

before ing
attemptshould
rest well and

few

the swamps,
place,where we

There

take, which

journey you
gather strength; otherwise
a

about

But

ocean.

this

will die in

the

to

talk about you, not

now

give you

only one

veiled,and

accustomed

become

have

thought, so let us
me.

his eyes became

continued:

the littleEnglish girland

go

into

with her."

Talking evidentlytired him very much, and

he paused once
and for a time fought
so
more,
off large blue flies the same
kind that Stasch
"

had

in Fashoda.

seen

Then

he" resumed

"Pay

strict attention

tell you.
you

will

One
see

to what

am

day'sjourney toward
an

isolated mountain,

going

to

the south
not

more

THROUGH

eighthundred

than

overturned
The
so

that in

barely walk

with

away

by the

broad, there

slaves

the

Nile.

there

Up

excellent water,

quantity
there
fear

that

from

away

human

soul!

killed

taken

others
done

was

whose

he

fields of manioc

had

will

you

produce

left the ants

plain.
Remain

Other
one

than
or

and

will also find

You

bones, but

Dervishes

the

small

heavy guard toward

the top is a spring of

several

these corpses

about

conquered, but

on

human

many

have

can

have

be that this

of banana-trees.

for after the

and

under

them

sent

be

to

capture because

not

pass

horses

Mahdists

the

It may
I
Smain

could

already

used

them.

very

mountain

an

steep.

very

its flat summit,

On

of the inhabitants

some

by

are

places two

some

village,but

negro

it is

abreast.

kilometer

its sides

to reach

only way

373

It looks Hke

high.

feet

saucepan;

narrow

DESERT

THE

two

need

not

plague,

drove

these,
months

us

not

in

that

village. At that height there is no fever.

The nights are cool.
There
little one
will
your
regain her health and you your strength."
"And
then what shall I do, and where shall
I

go?"
"Leave

all

the rest to the

try

means

which

but
that

the

they get

to go

furthest

are

go

from
the Dervishes,
away
the east.
I have heard

toward

Arabians,
from

tribes,advance

guidance of God.
By
toward the placesin Abyssinia

hunting

the
as

far

Samburu
as

for

ivory,which

and

Wa-hima

certain lake."

Now

Stasch

obtained

Kali

he

began to tell Linde how

(Gebhr's servant) after

he had

Gebhr's

had said
also that the young
negro
of the chief of the Wathe son

death, and
that

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

374

was

himas.
Linde

But

"All

more

had

Stasch

than

news

much

was

indifferent to this

expected.

the better," he

said, "for he

can

be of

Among the blacks there are kind

pend
denot
souls, although on the whole one
can
their gratitude,because they are but
on
children still,
and forgetto-daywhat happened
yesterday."
"Kali will not forgetthat I saved him from
to you.

use

Gebhr

I'm

"

of that."

sure

"Possibly," said
Nasibu, he added
"He

is also

after

Linde,

and

pointing

to

child.

good

my

death."

"Don't

always

think

Take

care

of death, and

of him

don't talk

of it."

dear," answered

"My
it

the Swiss, "I

long for
placewithout
now
am
quite

all I

hope is that it will take

further suffering.Just think, I
of the Mahdists
whose
helpless,and if one
I dispersedshould
band
wander
accidentally
through this narrow
pass, he could slaughter
like a lamb
me
single-handed."
He
sumed
pointed to the sleepingnegroes, and re"

"These
each

one

will

never

will wake

wake,
once

correctly,
again shortlybefore
or,

more

his earliest

from

youth

then

This

journey to Egypt.

started

the

from

he

so

got

the

far

as

Sudan

in the

hunted

his first

on

placebefore

took

and

of the Mahdi,
and

graduated

tune
he inherited the entire for-

of his father, and

Khartum,

the idea

beset with

was

he

travehng. When
PolytechnicSchool
of

time

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

376

with

as

the

ing
Dongalese. He then devoted himself to studyhe so
the geography of Africa, in which
excelled that he belonged to many
geographical
to tersocieties. This last journey,which was
minate
so
badly for him, had been undertaken
Zanzibar.

from

intended

lakes and

But

the

from

the

far

great

along the

Karamajo

Zanzibar

the

as

as

far

would

as

plored
unex-

sinia,
Abys-

of the
not

sea.

pany
accom-

further.

tunately,
Fortunately,or unforat that time raging between
war
was
terially
kings of Uganda and Unyoro. Linde maassisted the king of Uganda, and the

latter

any

as

hundred

reward

black

Karamajo
smallpox
by

and

than

more

two

naturallygreatly
the

visit to

the

but

just then the

the people, followed
broke
out
among
the terrible sleeping-sickness,
and
caravan

had

of
consisting

he dreaded

That

journey

Mountains,

last the

Linde

him

gave

Agisis.

facilitated the

at

as

there to the borders

people of

him

got

advance

to

of

mountains
and

had

He

was

with him
all kinds

the scurvy,

demoralized

and

stroyed.
de-

of provisions,
quantities
of canned goods, but as
he hunted dailyfor fresh

He

meat.

was

And

he

Ndiri

very

of

sprang

blood, and

of

to the tent.

tore

his

up

of it to stop
the wounded

bandage
brought
But

in

him

this camp,

Nasibu, who

made

shirt and

back

few

happened quitenear

This

the flow

boar, the animal

wild

in full view

man

and wounded
leg terribly,

his

the back.

own

not

days before,
a
foohshly approached too near

had

tore

and

splendidshot, but

it happened that

so

wounded
up,

377

hunter.

cautious

when

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

the result of internal

as

bleeding,clumps of coagulated blood

threatened
with
formed, and the patientwas
gangrene.

insisted

Stasch

that either
every

day, or

in the

care

bring him

to

let Stasch

make

would

no

on

would

come

as

not

leave

of the two

stretched

felt rug

he

so

"

bandaging him,

on

negroes
between

out

"Cracow."
a

new

account

to

to

Linde

bandage

see

Nell

put him

"

horses

two

clared
de-

and

him
alone
on

and

willingto

was

for him, but he

listen to the

thought

of

being removed.
"I know,"

said, pointing to his negroes,

people must die, but as long as
he

"that

these

death

has not
them

the

And

"I

he

who

to them

can

to

not

demn
con-

piecesby

only kept at a distance

nightby the campfire."
at once
began to repeat feverishly:

not, I
he
However,
can

come

while alive to be torn

hyenas,

during the

yet

are

can
soon

not, I

can

not!"

regained his

composure,

THROUGH

and

continued

voice

"Come
favor

will

DESERT

THE

378

in

peculiarlysad, ringing

early. I

here to-morrow

perhaps

hell, and

great
grant it,God
a

of you, and if j'^ou

lead you both out of this African

ask

to

have

die contented.

I will

I wanted

postpone this request until to-morrow,

I may

be

unconscious

to-day.

you

water
name

the

Holy

Ghost.

then became

"I blame

died of the

and

"

journey

said after
same

smallpox and

But

now

like to

would

words

while,"that
died

threatened

with

that is,with the

this last

on

go

pointed with his

two
large tears

he

flaming sky, and

slowly down his cheeks.

the

Stasch

wept

like

THE

great

hand

to

trickled

XIII

followingday

the

sun

shone

down

Stasch walked
side
alongstrange scene.
of the steep cliff,stood still in front of
on

each

mainder
re-

child.

CHAPTER

ON

of those

way

of those who

am

"

of my
caravan,
with them."

these

of

silent.

leave in the

take

earlier.

At

up

voice full of emotion,

myself,"he

I did not

death

vessel, go

"

Amen.'

said with

he

This

even

will tell

of the Son, and

of the Father, and

the

who

into

water

as

of these poor sleeping

creatures, sprinkle
in
his head, and
on
sa}^: 'I baptizeyou

to each

and

Pour

but

to-morrow,

to

negro,

poured

water

over

each

forehead

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

379

making the sign of the cross, and at the

And
time pronounced the sacred words.
same
they slept their hands and feet shaking,their
their chests or held upright.
heads sunk
on
In
Though stillalive,they resembled corpses.
this manner
the sleeperswere
baptized in the
quietof the morning, in the lightof the sun, in
The
the silence of the wilderness.
sky was
if
cloudless, highly arched, gray-blue as
in mourning.
shrouded
while

"

"

Linde
and

stillrational, but became

was

his

After

weaker.

bandage

weaker

had

been

he gave Stasch some

papers locked up
tin box, and begged him to be especially

changed
in

careful of them
could

swim

out

so

to

sunset

he

for

him

became

lirious.
de-

children,forbidding

some

far in the lake ; at last he

began to have convulsions, and

holding his head in his hands.
On the following day he could
Stasch, and three days later,at
without regainingconsciousness.
mourned

speak. He

dreadfullytortured

was

before

called to

He
to

he ceased

then

eat, but he

not

by thirst, and
them

while, then

afterward

not
noon,

recognize
he

Stasch
he

sat

and

died

truly
Kali

carried the

body to a near-bycave, the opening

they closed with thorns and stones.

of which

Stasch

took

and
after the
near

little Nasibu

ordered

Kali

to

with

him

to

cow,"
"Cra-

stay there, to look

and keep a largefire burning

provisions
the sleepersat night. Stasch continually
rode

back

and

forth between

the two

THROUGH

380

gorges,

THE

carrying

to

of

rifles,out

Remington

"Cracow"

baggage,

for
the cartridges
especially

and

weapons,

back

DESERT

which

he

took

the
the

powder he needed to blast the rock that held

King a prisoner. Fortunately Nell's health
improved very much, owing to her daily dose
of quinine,and the great varietyof food had
her
appetite and increased
given her more
and
strength. Stasch left her very reluctantly,
he felt that something might happen to her,
as
he forbade her leavingthe interior of the tree
during his absence, and closed the opening
account
On
of thorny acacia.
with branches
of the increasingduties which had fallen upon
often obligedto leave her in the
him, he was
and Saba, on whom,
of Mea, Nasibu
by
care
he chieflyrelied. He
the way,
preferred to
for
ride several times a day to Linde's camp
provisionsrather than leave the girltoo long.
This

of

course

meant

great deal of work, but

proof against all fatigue.

took ten days before the things were
erly
propneeded
were
sorted; those not especially

his iron

It

done

up

nature

in

was

and

canvas

depositedin "Cracow."
brought there, as were

the necessary
The horses
a

While

would

there

also

of Remington

now

fall to

King.
this

was

being done,

in their
sleepers sprang
up
fled wildly into the jungle,and
But

were

were

largenumber

rifles;these burdens
the lot of

ones

were

others

who

died

some

last
never
on

of

the

paroxysm,

returned.

the spot, and

THROUGH
still others

who

their heads

to

Kali

camp.

DESERT

THE
off

rushed

only one remained, and

sleepfrom exhaustion.
last the time

At

and release

him

set

he

put

ladder.

had

on

increased
would
showed

his

be

weeks

expiredin

blast the
so

rock

that at

tame

with his trunk

He

had

come
also be-

carrying the burdens which

back by means
of a bamboo

afraid

was

his back

fly. It

now

the"

near

to

that

heavj^for him,

too

was

Nell

was

his neck.

on

up

upon

soon

to

come

or

Two

he lifted him

accustomed
Kali

He

King.

command

Stasch's
and

had

in

them.

later
his

blindly,dashing

rocks

pieceson the
had
to bury

381

seemed

but

no

one

the

heavier

of the

small

pieces

load

for him

than

that their baggage

only now
by the things Linde had left them
was

burdensome

for

great restlessness

him.

At

he

"

"

first he

approach of
he was
Saba, but now
quite friendlywith the
dog, and played with him by throwing him
down
the ground with his trunk, whereupon
on
Saba
But
sometimes
pretended to bite him.
he unexpectedly poured water
the dog,
over
which, of
poor
The

on

the

the latter considered

course,

very

joke.
children

especially
pleasedthat the
beast
understood
intelligent
everything that
was
required of him, and that he not only paid
were

the greatest attention to every command

or
quest,
rebut to every sign given him.
Elephants
far
and

outstripall other animals in this respect,

King greatly surpassed Saba, who only

THROUGH

382

THE

DESERT

and threat
his tail at every
command
Nell, and then, in the end, did just what

wagged
from

he

pleased.
For

that the person

to be
Stasch, and the person

was

attention

of every

loved

Nell

one

Nell.

was

commands

obeyed Stasch's
and

served
King obobeyed
implicitly
who
engaged the

instance, after several weeks

the most

dearest.

the

And

He

did

thus

he

readily,
not

care

ignored Mea.
had
After
Stasch
prepared the blast, he
pushed it into the deepest crack, closed the
opening with clay,and only left a tinyhole, out
of which
hung a fuse of twisted palm threads
cisive
rubbed
with ground powder. At last the deStasch
moment
came.
lighted the
powdered thread himself, then ran for his life
he had previously
the tree, in which
toward
Nell was
afraid that King
shut every
one.
might become
greatly alarmed, but the boy
calmed her by saying that, in the first place,he
had chosen a day when
there had been a heavy
in the morning, and, secondly,
thunderstorm
have heard the peals
that wild elephantsmust
when
the elementary
of thunder
than once
more

much

for

Kali

and

had

forces of the heavens

been

let loose

jungle. But nevertheless they sat there

beating hearts, counting the seconds. At
a

terrible noise

tree

trembled

from

of the mold
on

their

shook

heads.

top

the
to

air.

The

bottom, and

the

over

with
last

bamboo-

the

mains
re-

stillleft in the tree fell down

The

next

moment

Stasch

THROUGH

384

and

THE

DESERT

for Nell that at last

persistently
obligedto give him a good smack

was

Stasch
on

hijs

trmik.
Kali

the most

was

pleasedwith

the result of

the

he was
relieved from the task
day, for now
of collecting
food for the giant,which had not
been at all an easy matter.
While
preparing
a

fire to cook

him

the supper

singinga

"The
Yah!

Great

and

break

man

his

Yah!

eat.

joy:
kill people and

man

breaks

Of

course

days,but

also

over.

decided
Linde

to

had

heard

Nell

Yah!

rock.

up

lions. Yah!

trees, and

Kali

rainy season

was

own

phant
Ele-

idle

can

Yah!"

"massika"

The

and

of

hymn

new

great

Stasch

or

there
some

move

stilldark

were

fine

very

Stasch

days.

the

to

over

and

nearly
rainy
now

which

mountain,

told him

about, and this plan was

after King's release.
Nell's
carried out soon
health no longer deterred him, for she was
now

decidedlybetter.
Selecting a fine morning, they
and

camp
were

had

no

for

longer afraid

found

Linde's

started

among

outfit

the

of

the
compass

south.

broke
Now

being lost,for
and

they
the boy

articles of

other

many

excellent

an

up

scope,
tele-

through which far distant placescould

be plainlyseen.
Besides Saba, King, and the
taken
donkey, five heavilyladen horses were
along. King, in addition to the baggage on
his back, carried Nell, who

the

enormous

ears.

sat

She

on

his neck

looked

as

tween
be-

though

THROUGH

Stasch left the

largearmchair.
shaped promontory

in

DESERT

THE

385

peninsula-

the baobab-tree

and

out
with-

of Nell's illness
regret, for the remembrance
clung to the place. But, on the other
at the rocks,
hand, the girllooked regretfully
the tree, and the waterfall, and said that she
would

return

again when

still sadder

But

she

reallyloved his former

rode on the donkey at the
turned

back

placewhere
tillthe Day
wind

The

of

body

Now,

master.

end

of poor

as

he

of the caravan,
to look at the

minute

every

the

who

the little Nasibu,

was

had

he

"grown up."

was

Linde

to rest

was

Judgment.

blew

from

the north, and

the

day

very cool. Consequentlythey did not need

ten to three, the hoiu's of the greatto rest from
est

was

heat, and
than

therefore

could

go

much

further

ney
usuallydo in a day. The journot long, and a few hours after sunset
perceivedthe mountain which was to be

caravans
was

Stasch
their

destination.

In

chain

of hills stood out

the

distance

another

againstthe sky, but the

and stood out by itself
former
much
was
nearer
like an
island in the middle
of a jungle sea.
When
that its prethey approached they saw
cipitous
sides were
washed
of the
by an arm
river on
of which
the borders
same
they had
was
previouslylived. Its summit
shaped like a
round

bowl, and

seen

from

below, seemed

to be

completelycovered by a thick forest. Stasch

figuredthat as the stripof land in which their
baobab-tree
700 feet high, and this
was
grew

mountain
at

THE

THROUGH

386

altitude of

an

which

could

not

The

Egypt.
made

feet

800

higher,they would
feet, and

1500

be

much

thought

hotter
him

gave

desire to take

him

DESERT

in

be

living

climate

than

of

that

and

courage

possessionof this

ural
nat-

quicklyas possible.
found
the mountain-pass, which
They soon
the only means
of reaching the summit,
was
and immediatelybegan to climb the mountain.
An
hour and a half later they had reached the
top. The grove they thought they had seen
from below
proved to be not only a grove, but
a
banana-grove. The sight of this greatly
pleasedthem all,includingKing; but Stasch
was
delighted,for he knew that in
especially
all Africa there is no food more
strengthening,
healthful, and a better preventiveagainst
more
fortress

illness than
here

was

Hidden

flour made

during

of dried bananas.

year'ssupply.
in the foliageof

huts,

negro

other

as

of which

some

the invasion, and

however,

means;

condition.

the

In

these

had

middle

plants were
been

burned

destroyed by

some

few

And

remained
stood

the

in fair

largest,

which

formerly belonged to the chief of the

constructed out
village. It had been tastefully
of clay,with a broad
roof forming a sort of
veranda
front

around
of

the

the walls.

huts

Here

and

lay singlebones

there in
and

also

skeletons, white as chalk, for

complete human
they had been thoroughly cleaned by the ants,
of whose
invasion Linde
had spoken. Many

had

weeks

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

passed since

the invasion of the little

insects,but in the hut there

of formic

scent
a

could

trace

the negroes

by

or

"

vermin.

in the

dwellingsnot
roaches
large black cock-

of the

not

that

snake

victims
After

be found, for

these

to

Stasch

had

led Nell

the human

and

them

the

along.

force

But

that Linde
them

that

there

the boas

even

and

Kali

bones.

obeyed by simply throwing

stream,

could

one

feel
was

fall

unconquerable warriors.

chieftain's hut, he ordered

clear away

so

the entire summit

on

to

huts of

spiders,or scorpions,or anyEverything had been destroyed

the terrible "siafu," and

confident

still a strong

was

infest the mud

usuallj^

which

"

other

acid, and

be found

387

of

the

during
had

thej^would

and

Nasibu

The

black

boy

them

into

the

not

they

mistake

find

to

carried

current

this work

made

into the

Mea

covered
dis-

in telling

ing
singleliv-

The
being on the mountain.
quietwhich
reignedafter the kidnapping of the inhabitants
by the Dervishes, and the tempting look of the
bananas, had enticed a great many
zees,
chimpanwhich had arranged something resembling

umbrellas,
the rain.
he decided

small roofs, to protect them from

Stasch did not want
to kill them, so
or

to

into the air.

which

frightenthem
This

increased

caused

when

by shooting
generalconfusion,
away

Saba's

heard, and
to
not

King, excited by
trumpet vociferously.But
have

to seek

far to find

angry

bark

was

the noise,

began
the monkeys did

means

of retreat,

THROUGH

388

for

down

let themselves

so

of the

means

that

King

singleone

with

his trunk

The

had

gone

of the banks
a

edges of the cliff and

quicklyand with such
trees growing alongside

the

they gallopedto

agility
by

sun

Nasibu

lighteda

After

Stasch

things for the

chief's hut, of

tired

down,

to

capture

tusks.

and

the

and

Kali

evening meal.
the

unpacked
night,he wended

necessary

his way

to

the

had

already taken
the hut it was
hght and cosy,
lightthe small lamp that had
Nell

which

did not

the interior of the baobab-

largetravelinglamp which they had

Linde's things. As the day had
among
so
cool, Nell did not feel particularly
in a cheerful
after the journey. She was

tree, but
been

and

fire to cook

served to illuminate

found

unable

was

had

possession.In
for Nell

DESERT

THE

frame

of mind,

increased

which

told her that the bones, which

her, had

been

Stasch

when

had

frightened

cleared away.

good it is to be here," she said. "Look,

the ground is covered with asphalt. Here
even
shall live luxuriously."
we
"I shall wait tillto-morrow
before taking a
good look at the whole settlement," answered
I have already seen
day
tohe; "but from what
I conclude that it would
be a good placeto
"How

live in all one's life."

"If
be

all

our

papas

right.

here, yes, it would

were

But

what

shall

we

name

then
this

settlement?"
"In

geographies

this

mountain

is called

and

Mountain,

Linde

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

389

villageis

this

named

'Nell,'after you."
"So, then, I shall also be

geography," said
"Certainly;it

she
will

perpetuate your name,"

with great earnestness.

Stasch

answered

representedin
joyfully.

XIV

CHAPTER

ON

following day it rained

THE

there

as

also

were

but
little,

hours

some

between

as
possibleto
began as soon
he had
explore his surroundings,and by noon
The
corner.
inspection
penetrated every
proved very satisfactory.In the first place,
the most
Linde Mountain
secure
was
place in
of Africa.
the whole
Monkeys alone could
lions nor
scale its heights. Neither
panthers
could climb the plateau. As to guarding the
mountain
pass, they had only to install King

showers, Stasch

at

the

and

entrance

then

lie down

sleep peacefully. Stasch

he could

now

Dervishes, for the road

was

very

he had
so

good gun,
that
effectually

spring

outlet of which

its way

one

of the

not

"island"

troups of
the

tain
moun-

alone, provided

man

could

able to pass.
In the center
forth

of small

leadingto

and

narrow,

go to
that
convinced

was

resist attacks

and

block

the

soul would

through

the

small

be

there bubbled

of cool, crystal-clear
water,
was

trance
en-

brook

that

banana-grove and

the

wound
at

last

THROUGH

390

plunged

THE

DESERT

the

edge of an overhanging cHff

into the river,thus forming a narrow
waterfall,
which glistenedlike a white ribbon.
On
the
south
side of the peninsulathere were
fields
covered with a luxuriant
growth of manioc
relished by the negroes.
roots, which are much
Behind
these fields grew
very Iiighcocoanut
palms, their crowns
shaped like beautiful
over

feather-dusters.
A

of

mass

and

the view

could

be

jungle surrounded
was

seen

very

the

covered

been

the

however,

of the

south

with

rose

the east

Karamajo
high hills,

color,
On

trees.

extended

view

On

their dark

which, judging from

have

extensive.

the blue chain

On

Mountains.

the "island,"

the

the

to

jungle melted into the sky.

lookingthrough Linde's telescopeStasch
various
there

not

with

as

the

In

some

yet grown
naked

and

passes,

trees,

enormous

like churches.
had

narrow

ceived
per-

and

the grasses
where the grass
places,

herds

zebras, elephants and

here

But

risingabove
very

eye

west,

horizon,

the

where

must

high,one could see

of antelopes and

buffaloes.

Here

and

giraffesmade paths through the grayblue jungle like ships furrowing through the
Close to the edge of the river some
watersea.
bucks were
playing,while others raised their
horned heads above the deep water.
In places
there

where
every

had

the
now

surface
and

of

then

caught,would

the

water

fish,the

same

was

calmer,
kind

Kali

Uke silver
spring up, glitter

THROUGH

392

THE

day,after theyhad

one

accustomed

to the

"There
and

settled down

he counted

and grown

island.

plentyto do,"

is

DESERT

on

answered

his outstretched

awaitingthem.
begin:Kali and

the

boy,
fingersall

the tasks

"To

Mea

heathens, and

are

dan,
Zanzibar, is a Mohamme-

INasibu, a child from

everythingmust be explainedto
be taught the true Faith and
them ; they must
baptized. In the second place,meat for the
be smoked, so I must
coming journey must
shoot it;in the third place,as I have so many
and so much ammunition, I am
going
weapons
and

so

Kali

to teach

how

to

shoot, so

that two

of

us

fensive
ready to act on the degotten
; and, in the fourth place,have you forabout the flyingkites?"
"The
flyingkites?"
"Yes, that you are going to glue together,
sew
together. That will be your
or, better still,

will

be

armed

and

work."
do

something besides play."

be play,but a very
"That will by no means
important work, perhaps the most important
of all. Do
kite will
not imagine that one
make
to anything;you
must
amount
fiftyor
"I want

to

more."

"Why

so

many?"

asked

the

girl,grown

curious.
Then

hopes.
names,

Stasch
He
how

began

wanted

to tell

to write

they had

her his
on

each

escapedfrom

plans and
kite their

the Der-

THE

THROUGH

DESERT

393

they were to be found, and where

also going to
they expected to go. He was
write on
them that they needed help,and to
to send a telegramto Port Said.
one
beg some
He intended to send up these kites only when
vishes,where

the wind

southwest.

was

"Many of them," he said,"will soon fall to

of them reaches the
the ground, but if only one
coast and falls into the hands of Europeans we
saved."

are

Nell

quitedelightedwith this idea, and

that even
King was not a match for

was

declared
Stasch

it

when

convinced

was

would

that

flyto

even

to cleverness.

came
a

great

Yes, she

of the kites

many

and

their papas,

promised to
morning tillnight. Her

glue such kites from

joy was so excessive that Stasch was afraid it
might bring on the fever again,and he was
therefore obligedto calm her enthusiasm.
Stasch

which

work

The

immediatelybegun
told to catch

been

had

in earnest.

as

mentioned

Kali, who

of the

many

was

had

as
flying-fish

but on the other hand

stoppedfishing,
possible,
he erected a high fence of thin bamboo
rods,
or,

to be

more

accurate,

this weir he fastened

middle

of

through
swim

the

which

across

trellis

was

kind

of

and
trellis,

the river.
a

the fish would

in order to reach the open

In

the

large opening,
be obliged to
water.

At

this

opening Kali placed a strong net made from

and so caught a plentiful
palm-threads,
supply
of fish every day.

THE

THROUGH

394

the fish into the murderous

drove

He

help of King, who, being led

with the

disturbed

and

darkened

water,

DESERT

it

net

into the
that not

so

only those shimmering silver fish,but all other

in the water, tried to escape into
creatures living
the clearer depths. At this pointthe weir was
often damaged by crocodiles overturningthe
self
trellisin their efforts to escape, and King himagainst crocodiles. So he
as
them, and as soon
they reached
he would
water
pick them up with his
hatred

inborn

an

followed
shallow

them

throw

and

trunk

it,for he cherished

often overturn

would

the bank, and

on

the greatest satisfaction and

stamping them to death.

dehght

took

Turtles
and

also

often

were

caught

in

in the net,

made

the littlewanderers

of them

he

licious
de-

Kali prepared the fish by drying

soup.
in the sun, but the air-bladders he
them
brought to Nell, who cut them in two, stretched
them

out

into two
Stasch
for it

was

boards, and thus converted

on

the size of one's hand.

sheets of paper

and

Mea

by

thicker than

no

helped Nell

means

them

The

easy.

of

the bladders

in this work,

our

skins

were

river fish,but

being dried they became quitebrittle and

Stasch at last discovered
were
easilybroken.
But
that they should be dried in the shade.
sometimes
his patiencewas
nearly exhausted,
and that he did not giveup the plan of making
after

kites out

of the bladders

that he considered them

was

due

and
lighter

to

the fact

better able

THROUGH
withstand

to

dry

THE
the rain than

had

season

DESERT

Though the
not quite
was
in
especially

paper.

begun, he

now

395

whether, during the summer,

the mountains, there would not be showers.
sure

glued togetherkites made out

of paper, a quantityof which had been found
Linde's effects. The first light,
large
among
also

he

But

kite, which

paper

he let loose in

wind,

west

high,and when Stasch cut the

stringwas carried by a strong current of air
toward
the chain of the Karamajo Mountains.
with the aid of a teleStasch followed its flight
scope
until it got as small as a butterfly yes,
appeared
until it looked like a fly and at last diseven
in the pale azure
of the sky. On the
followingday he loosed a second one, this time
at

once

rose

very

"

"

of

made

fish bladders, which

lost to view

soon

the air,but

quickly into

more

ascended

because

even

probably was

of the transparency

of the skins.

It

Nell who

was

worked

and her littlefingerssoon

became

she excelled Stasch

Mea.

and

perseveringly,

most

skilful that

so

She

was

quite

The

healthy climate of Linde

had completelyrestored her. The
Mountain
time for the third attack of the deadly fever to
had passed. On that day
make its appearance
strong

now.

Stasch

hid himself

cried for
the

mountains

Msimu"
when

joy.
now

in

the

in the banana

After
he
looked

stay of

noticed

thicket and
two

that

weeks

the

in

"Good

than
quite difl'erently
jungle. Her cheeks had be-

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

396

yellowand transparent
disappeared,she looked rosy

fuller,the former

come

complexion had
and

more,

once

beneath

from

luxuriant

her

of hair her eyes looked out on everything

of
the bottom
shiningwith happiness. From

mass

the

his heart

boy

cool

for the

thankful

was

nights,the transparent spring water, the flour

proof that he
do
fever patients
a

was

for

had

He

sun.

sunburned, which

thin and

become

had

He

would
not

have

not

the fever,

by the
manly.

tanned

become

taller and

grown

all,Linde.

above

the dried bananas, and

from

more

and the labors he had

quick movements
performed had increased his ability and
and hands,
strength. The muscles of his arms
hard as steel. Now, in fact,
legs and feet were
African
seasoned
he had actuallybecome
a
traveler. As he hunted dailyand used bullets
only,he had become a sure shot. He no longer
His

hunters

and

horned

him

than

had

killed

he
a

which

to

the

him.
the

black

He

numerous

danger

more

At

never

edly
unexpect-

paid

African

dispersewhole
gluing of the kites

from

shot he

one

which

large rhinoceros

dailytasks, Stasch
this more

in
them.

sometimes

Besides

convert

were

from

was

attacked

attention

that the wild

animals, for he knew

wild

feared

the

least

buffaloes,

caravans.

and the other

and Nell also set to work

to

Kali, Mea, and Nasibu, and they found

they had expected. The

great pleasure in being

diflicultthan
trefoil took

taught,but

looked

at

the lessons

from

the

THE

THROUGH

negro'spointof

DESERT

told them

Stasch

When

view.

397

Paradise, and
well, but when he
the serpent, everythingwent
got as far as the murder of Abel by Cain, Kali
unconsciously patted his stomach and asked
with great calmness:
of the creation of the world, of

did

"And
The

black

Wa-himas

boy

then?"

of the

remembrance

the

stillremained

so

up

always insisted that the

human
beings, but apparently

had
eat

never

they did

him

he eat

with him

days

as

when

national

tradition.
could he understand

Neither
God

had

evil

killed the "wicked

not

also

were

following

the Lord

Msimu,"

and

things. His ideas of good and

quite African, which led to the

similar

many

why

teacher

between

conversation

and

pupil:
Stasch, "what

me," asked

"Tell

is

an

evil

deed?"
"If any

takes

one

answered, after

cows

from

away

Kali," he

consideration,"that is an

some

evil deed."
!" cried Stasch

"Excellent
a

good

one."

This

time he answered

"A
cows

good
away

Stasch
ideas of

one

from
was

good

for

"

any

too

and

Europe, and are

even
approved by

at

"and

now

giveme

once:

instance

"

if Kali

takes

one."

young

evil

to

know

that similar

prevalentalso in
and
practisedby politicians
are

entire nations.

THROUGH

398

But

THE

DESERT

gradually light began

black brains,and

for

shortlyready

in the

could not understand,

received.

hearts

warm

brains

what

dawn

to

Baptism,

They

which

were

was

formed
per-

with great ceremony.

The god-parents
presented each of the children with four doti

(equal to

about

sixteen

yards) of white percale

and a stringof blue glassbeads.
They felt
somewhat
however, for they were
disappointed,
so childlike that they thought their skins would
white immediately after Baptism, and
turn
they were
greatlysurprisedwhen they saw that
Nell
But
they were
just as black as before.
calmed them by convincingthem that they now
had

white souls.

CHAPTER

XV

also taught Kali how

STASCH
and this he learned
rifle,
to

ington
the Rem-

use

much

more

After
ten
easilythan the catechism.
days'
practiceshooting at a target and at crocodiles
sleepingin the sand on the river banks, the
killed a largePofir-antelope,^
then
negro
young
several gazels,and finally
Ndiri wild boar.
a
This hunt
came
near
ending in an accident
similar to that which

boar,^ which

Kali

befallen Linde, for the

had

had

carelessly
approached

firingthe shot, sprang

after
'

Bosclapha

The

wild

flew at him

Canna.
boars

of Africa

cornered, tusks, and

attacked.

and

have

fairlylong

broad

head, round,

tail which

they

not

elevate

threewhen

THROUGH

400

"No; I don't know

welcome

should

us

THE

DESERT

how

the Wa-himas

we

there."

go

to fall on

"Kali order them

their faces before

good Msimu."
would
"And
they obey you?"
"Kali's father wear
leopard skin

great

would

and

man

and

Kali,

too."
understood

Stasch
Kali's

father

eldest

son

was

and

And

himas.

king

this meant

and

he

me

that white travelers had

once

Kali

"Yes; and

the

was

inquiredfurther:

and that the older

visited you
them?"

that he

that

ruler of the Wa-

the future

so

told

"You

that

has heard

peopleremember
that

they wore

great deal of percaleon their heads."

"Ah," thought Stasch to himself, "so they
the
not
were
Europeans, but Arabs, whom
negroes, judging from the lightcolor of their
skins and their white clothes,mistook for white

people."
But
them
of

as

and

remembered

could

give no

Stasch

them,

nothing about
further
description
another
question to

Kali

put

him.
"Did

the Wa-himas

not

burus

neither
do

can

"Why

these

the

Wa-himas

nor

the

Sam-

that."

not?"

"Because
up

of

in white?"

peopledressed
"No;

kill any

they said that

if the earth sucked

their blood the rain would

cease."

"I

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

401

gladthey think that," thought Stasch.

am

he asked:

Then

the Wa-himas

"Would

with

go

us

far

as

as

of
promisethem quantities
percale,glassbeads, and weapons?"

the

sea,

if I

were

go

and

"Kali

but great
the Samburus, who are

also the Wa-himas,

first conquer

must

man

to

the other side of the water."

on

"And

lives back

who

of the

"Back

of the Samburus?"

there

Samburus

ended

tains,
moun-

Stasch

conversation.

the

no

in it live lions."

only a jungle,and
This

are

now

constantlythought of the great journey to the

east, remembering what Linde had said about
of meeting Arabs from the coast,
the possibility
who trade in ivory,and perhaps mission expeditions.
that a journey like this
He was
sure
would
be very
fatiguingand dangerous for
Nell, but he knew she could not stay all her life
Linde Mountain, and that they would
soon
on
have

to

the

after

The

on.

move

rainy

best

so

were

up

to

now

would
now

not

as

cool that

sleep. But

much
soon

is

leave

infectious

and the

ground

of the mountain

themselves
they had to cover
below, in the jungle,it was
and

become

he

well

knew

unbearably hot

rained less and

that
conjectured

to

yet felt the heat; the nights

warmer,

the river became

the

when

season,

covered with water

are
swamps
is stilldamp.
On the summit

they had

time

less and

lower

the river

there.

It

the water-line

day; so
valleywould

every

it

that

of

Stasch
be

con-

THROUGH

402

verted

into

which

the like of

flowingin

desert of

the

that then there would

stream

narrow

DESERT

dry bed in summer,

in
formerly seen

he had

Libya, and
a

THE

only remain

the middle

of its

bed.
he deferred

But

day.
well
was

Linde

On

animals

as

departurefrom day
Mountain
they all men
"

felt

"

only cured

not

anemic

the

melon

at home!

Nell

Mea's

Nasibu

had
skin

looked

no

aches
head-

more

to shine

began
like

walking

thin

on

horses and
Stasch knew
another

Stasch

Kali's and

like black satin.

much

as

of the fever, but also of her

condition.
and

so

to

legs,and King, as well as the

the donkey, had become
quitefat.
very well that they would not find

island like this in the

of

midst

the

jungleduringtheir entire journey. He looked

into the future with much
foreboding,
although
had considerable assistance,and, if
they now
need be, an important defender in King.
gan
And
another week passed before they beso
making preparationsfor the journey.
Whenever
not busy packing they
they were
devoted the time to sendingup kites containing
the information
that they were
going in an
direction toward a certain lake. They
easterly
because a strong west
sent them up continually,
wind was
blowing almost a hurricane, which
carried

them

off

Nell from
out

to

be

over

the mountains.

the heat

of the remains

placed on

the

Stasch

made

To
a

quin
palan-

of the tent; this

elephant'sback,

tect
pro-

for

was

the

THROUGH

DESERT

it had

ride in. After

girlto
a

THE

been

put

accustomed

few times he became

403
on

to the

King
light

having the palanquinbound

this was
to his back with palm thongs. But
a
in comparison to the other bagfeatherweight
gage
he was
expectedto carry, which Kali and
Mea
were
now
busy sortingand packing.
weight,and

also to

Little Nasibu

and

to

stones.

rub

told to look for bananas

was

them

flour between

to

King assisted

him

in

flat

two

pickingthe heavy

clusters of fruit,but

they both ate so much that

the bananas
in the vicinityof the huts were
and they were
soon
other
obligedto go to angone,
situated at the oppositeend of
grove,
the plateau. Saba, who
had nothing to do,
these expeditions.
often kept them company
on
But
Nasibu
came
near
paying for his zeal
with his life,or

at least

strange kind of

very

it happened that once

imprisonment. For
when he was
gathering bananas on the edge of
in
a
steep,overhanging cliff he suddenly saw
a

crevice

skin,with

horrible

far

run
a

for his life.

hairyarm

the air,and

the

But

"

; he

it laughingly

then he

before

encircled him

as

black

first the

At

fear

with

him

at

its front teeth.

with
nearlypetrified

was

to

that blinked

eyes

showed

face, covered

he
was

monster
night-black

had

boy
began
gone

lifted into
started off

running with him toward a gorge.

Fortunately the enormous
monkey could
only run on two feet; consequentlySaba, who
happened to be near, easilyovertook it and

THROUGH

404

buried

his

THE

jaws

enormous

in his back.

in which

fightensued,

been

certainlyhave
arrived in time

to

had

him; for

not

succor

gorillacan

lions,and monkeys seldom

conquer

when

rible
ter-

standing
dog, notwithstrength,would

worsted

save

the

great size and

his

even

DESERT

itis a matter

let go

of

regaining
having
their freedom or their lives/ The gorilla,
been attacked from behind, could not easily
get at Saba, but in spiteof that he pickedhim
ing
liftup by the neck with his left hand and was
him in the air when
the ground shook under
a
heavy tread, and King came
running up.
A slightblow with his trunk was
sufficient,
their prey,

even

the terrible "forest devil," as

and

call the

and

sank
gorilla,

to

crushed.

But

neck

monster

dead,

was

his tusks and

sure

to wreak

roaring and

from

the direction

in hand, and ordered

gorillalay
began to lick

stained with

had

It is true

Africa, but
carry
that

gore.

him
in

to

gorillaof East

west, for it does

is satisfied with

bitingoff

geance
ven-

become

stop.

pool of blood, which

up, and King's tusks were
It was
a very
largegorilla,

gorillaslive mostly
Livingstone also met them
The

his

that

oflfchildren.
of the

tipathy
an-

screaming, came
of the huts,gun

and, though dead, its upturned

'

that the

his natural

from

or

then continued

the

at

running up

Saba

to make

it until Stasch, who

on

The

ground

it,King nailed it to the ground with

to

alarmed

the

the negroes
with brains

not

his

in
in

the

eyes
forests

the

Africa

its

of western

They

often

is less vicious

than

east.

kill the wounded

fingers.

and

huntsman,

but

THROUGH
it still

made

teeth

DESERT

THE
horrible

looking object.
triumphantly, and

elephant trumpeted
Nasibu, ash-gray with terror,
For
moment
had
a
happened.
The

whether

he should

horrible

monkey,

for

suddenly

him.

Nell

dismissed

the

out

the

not

her

possession

of

the

on

thing happen

same

very

the

thought,

walking alone

Linde

proved that
safe refuge as

This
a

returned

she

wide

"You

and

listened

in

told Nell

what

not

was

Stasch
had

pened
hap-

curiosityand fright,her
continually repeating :

open,

what

would

right!

One

see

Mountain

it at first seemed.

hut

to the
;

eyes

might

considered

show

took

what

her?

to

such

went

he

and

fear

great

often

island, and

he

Stasch

told

Nell

fetch
but

405

have

out
with-

happened

King?"
"That's
a

child

here

with

don't

like

nurse

take

when

"The

provisions

loads

the

on

"To

see

"If

it

gravely.

are

there

our

be

not

him;

going

we

is

to

ready,

are

nothing

animals;

so

and

to
so

do
we

about

worry

while

without

step away

"And

sorted, and

need

we

are

him."

leave?"
the
but

baggage
pack the

can

start

morrow."
to-

papas?"
God's

will!"

answered

Stasch

THROUGH

406

THE

DESERT

CHAPTER
break

did not
THEY
days later.
o'clock

after

"

short

rode

until several

camp

prayer,

him

flappinghis ears and

back the palanquinin

on

dawn

in which

themselves

Stasch

Behind

by Saba.

up

They departed at

earnestlycommended
their head

XVI

to

God.

"

six

they
At

horseback, preceded

solemnlymarched King,
carryingon his enormous
which Nell and Mea

were

seated; then, under Kali's guidance,followed

the horses, tied togetherwith a long rope, and
laden

all sorts

with

of

baggage;

and

little

fat as
as
donkey which was
the boy brought up the rear.
venience
At that early hour the heat did not inconthem very much, althoughthe day was
tains
fine, and from behind the Karamajo Mounin great splendor from
the sun
rose
a
cloudless sky. An eastern breeze mitigatedthe
heat of its rays.
Occasionallythe wind blew
like billows of
a gale,waving the jungle grass
the sea.
so
luxuriantly
Vegetationhad grown
after the copious showers
at the
especially
lower levels that King and the horses were
covered up by the grass, so that all that could
the white
above the waving jungle was
be seen
on
a
palanquin,which looked like a shipsailing
lake. After marching for an hour they came
of
to a dry, high plateau lying to the east

Nasibu,

the

on

"

"

"

"

Linde
'

Mountain,

Eschinops giganteus

abundant

in

Abyssinia.

and
grows

saw
in

thistles,^

enormous

this country

and

is

especially

the animals

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

408

threw
stood still,

their heads,

up

prickedup their ears, and looked at the white

palanquin in surprise;then they immediately
hundred
for a few
dispersedand ran away
tion,
feet,then stared again at the strange apparisatisfied their curiosity,
until they had
time
and calmly began to graze again. From
to time there appeared in front of the caravan
withstandin
rhinoceros
a
growling and snarling,but notposition
and its disnature
its aggressive
in its
to attack everythingthat comes
before the glance of
way, it fled ignominiously
King, who was only kept from followingit by
a

command

African

The
and

from

if he

comes

Stasch.

elephant hates the rhinoceros,

across

fresh trail he follows

it up till he finds his adversary,and, relying

his superior strength,begins the fightin
on
which
It
had

nearly always worsted.

not very
certainly
easy for King, who
than one
death on his conscience,to

the rhinoceros

was
more

renounce

and

is

his old habit, but

accustomed

to

; therefore,on

look

he

upon

was

now

Stasch

tame
as

his

ing
hearinghis voice,and seehis brightand threatening
eyes, the beast
dropped his upturned trunk, drew in his ears,
and calmlywalked
on.
Though Stasch would
have
these
enjoyed seeing a fight between
giants,he was afraid of its effect on Nell. If
the elephant were
to gallop,the palanquin
might fall to pieces,or, what would be worse,
the enormous
animal might knock it againsta

master

THROUGH

THE

DESERT

409

Nell's life would

be in great danger.
Stasch had
the tales of the chase which

tree;

so

From

read when

at Port

Said he learned that in India

afraid that the

people hunting tigersare more
elephant,in the excitement of the chase, might
knock
the small tower againsta tree than they
of the tigers. Besides, the giant galare
even
lops
so
clumsilythat to ride like that any length
of time would
endanger one's health.
of King obviated
On the other hand, the presence
dangers. The vicious buffaloes
many
they met that day on their way to the small
lake, where all the animals in the neighborhood
he
also fled when
congregated at nightfall,
looked at them, and
lake to drink.

With

ran

to

the other side of the

his left foot tied to

tree.

King guarded the tent in which Nell slept,and

this so thoroughlyprotectedher that although
Stasch kept a fire burning,'
he thought it unnecessary
to build a hedge around
the camp,
be
although he knew that there must certainly
lions in the vicinity
of so many
herds of antelope;
in fact, some
of them
began to roar that
the enormous
juniper-trees^
very night among
the mountain
on
slope. Attracted by the scent
of the horses, they approached the camp,
withstandin
notthe burning fire,but when
King
could no longer stand their constant
roaring,
and began to send forth his threatening,
thunder-like
trumpeting, they quieted down
'

In

attain

Abyssinia
a

height

of

in

the

Karamajo

fiftyfeet.

Mountains,

the

juniper

trees

THE

THROUGH

410

better

had

they seemed

for

humbly,

DESERT

not

to

know

in contact

come

that

with

they

such

an

this the children

slept
antagonist. After
soundly for the remainder of the night, and
break.
they did not continue their journey until dayBut

Stasch

now

He

and worries.

to

was

have

troubles

new

noticed that

ing
travelthey were
slowlyand that they could not cover
very
than ten kilometers a day. If they progressed
faster than that they would
no
tainly
cernot reach the borders of Abyssinia in a

more

but

month,

as

Stasch

had

decided

follow

to

Linde's advice
that

that

that

said
impHcitly(he had distinctly
sinia),
they would not be able to reach Abysthe only one
the road to the ocean
was
culation
they could take. But accordingto the calthan a thousand
made
by the Swiss, more
kilometers laybetween them and the ocean
;
of Mombasa,
is,in a direct line; for by way
which
lies in a more
southerlydirection,

it is farther away,
three months

to make

terrified when
months

of

and it would

he

journey.

encounters

they

were

than

more

Stasch

and

was

three

thought that this meant

fatigue,excitement,

from

danger

Now
with tribes of negroes.
stillin a barren country, depopulated

by smallpox and
Dervishes

the

take

; but as,

on

rumors

of attacks

the whole, Africa

by the

is fairly

well
to

bound
or later they were
populated,sooner
to places inhabited by strange tribes,
come

which

would

probablybe

ruled

by

savage

and

THE

THROUGH
chiefs.

treacherous

It

freedom

one's

DESERT

was

no

task to

easy

one's

and

411

Hfe

amid

tain
re-

such

dangers.
could

come

calculated

Stasch

Therefore

that

how

teach several of the warriors

their

accompany
Kali had not

and

the least idea where

"ho

Linde,

them, coulc
could he
where

n*"

had

'

'Linde

tl" ,i^-"'
about

declared

his tribe lived,

to reach

had

mentioned

the

nor

place

also mentioned

live

Kali

on

the Samburu
because

tinctly
disside

one

he called Basso-Narok,

worried

was

about

them,

large lake, and

the other side of which

Stasch

But

something

the Wa-hima

of this lake, which

now

them

ocean.

of
qP^'-t description

^om

having heard

heard

tell how

"^'

induce

the

to

party

shoot, and

to

by making great promises would

to

they

tribe he would

the Wa-hima

across

if

live.

that lake

on

But
was

the

geography of Africa,
at school in Port
which he had studied carefully
to menSaid.
If Kali had been the only one
tion
have
it Stasch would
supposed it to be
could not have
Victoria-Nyanza, but Linde
not

made
from

in

mistake

like that if he

Victoria Lake

northward

had

marched

along the

Kara-

majo

Mountains.

these

questioningthe inhabitants of
mountains, that this mj^steriouslake

Stasch

to

came

the

clusion,
con-

after

ought

to

lie further

Stasch

did not

he

also afraid he

come

was

across

know

the

to

what

the
to

might

Wa-himas

east

and

north.

think of all this ;

miss
or

the lake and

other

savage

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

412

impassablemountains, the
tribes,arid jungles,
which might kill the animals, the
tsetse-flies,
the fever for Nell, the heat,
sleeping-sickness,
and

of all those interminable

worst

from

them
stillseparated

which
But

having left

the

Mountain,

Linde

distances
ocean.

the

only

steadilydue east.
a journey to tax
Linde had said that this was
the strength of an experiencedand energetic
explorerto the utmost, but Stasch had already
sake he
and for j^^ell's
had great experience,
thing to

do

determined
no

energy

to

was

not

to

to

advance

think of

to spare
himsel.lbpd

accomplishhis purpWI

For

the

the

girl's
tween
strength,and so he decided to travel only besix and ten o'clock in the morning, and
from three to six o'clock in the evening,when
water
at their first
there happened to be no
halting-place.However, as there had been
they
plenty of rain during the rainy season,
small lakes
found
water
everywhere. The
formed
the lowlands
on
by the showers were
present it

still well

was

necessary

filled,and

cold
crj^stal-clear

here

water

to

and

save

there

flowed from

rivers

the

of

tains
moun-

to bathe in, and

inviting
also very safe,for crocodiles only live in larger
where
streams
there are
plenty of fish,upon
which
they chieflysubsist. As Stasch had
Linde's things,
found a very good filteramong
he did not allow the girlto drink unfiltered
The filter always surprisedKali and
water.
that, though filled with
Mea, for they saw
;

these

were

very

THROUGH
and

clouded

whitish

flowed

water

this

At

THE

DESERT
clean

and

they laughed and

clear

beneath.

the reservoir

it into

from

only

water,

413

their

slapped

knees,

pleasure and surprise.

the beginning of their journey
the whole
On
made
was
by easy stages. They had received
from
Linde
large supplies of coffee, tea, sugar,
canned
bouillon, various
goods, and all kinds
to

their

show

of medicines.
for

had

they

them.

Stasch

of various

there

lowlands

had

poison the

there

the

were

air
over

The

becoming

called

"white

trees,

through

of

Stasch,
health.

sun

and

meeting
In

meat.
across

came

not

to

altitude

hours"

the

could
the

made

in the
thick

innoculate
did

unbearably

travelers

small

fresh

occasionally

mosquitoes

no

all

fertile, and

very

and

fruit

of

evaporated sufficiently
with their deadly odors, being
this height
with water.
At

fever; still,the

from

ray

of

was

with

rockets,

when

service

great

they

which

still covered

caliber, and

country

plenty

was

swamps,
to

of

The

negroes.

the

be

would

which

they could take

plenty of utensils

also had

kinds, weapons

of these,

than

more

They

sparing

not

was

hot

not

by

halt

deep

penetrate.
negroes

kept

it

prevent

o'clock.

ten

the

during
shade

foliage of

with

one

of

which

And
in

so

so-

large
not

Nell,

excellent

THROUGH

414

DESERT

THE

XVII

CHAPTER

ON
to

fifth

THE

day

rode with Nell

on

journey Stasch
King, for theyhad come

of their

belt of acacias,which

broad

to follow

had

that the horses

were

in the

thick

so

path made

ing,
earlyin the mornglistening,fresh
children talked about the jourbringing them
day was
every

by the elephant. It was now

and the landscape was
with

dew.

ney,

and
to

nearer

The
how

their fathers, for both

children had

long for them since they were

taken from
tered
cenFayoum; their conversation
around
this subject,and
they always
and over
ended by weeping. They repeatedover
thoughts:their fathers think
again the same
appeared
that they are now
dead, or that they have disto return; both
never
are
grieving,
and, although hope is well nigh dead, they
never

ceased to

send Arabians
of them, and
away

from

in five

to

Khartum

all this time

Khartum,

days they

then further and

will reach

the

to the

to

try

they are

not

but also from

will be

even

or

get

news

only far

Fashoda

further

and
further still,

ocean,

to

off

"

"

at last

they
perhaps before they

they may reach a placewhere

they can send a telegram. The only person
who knew
in the caravan
what they had before
them
was
Stasch, while Nell was
positively
convinced that there was
nothing in the world
that he could not achieve, and she was
quite
that he would
sure
bring her to the coast. So
come

sea

THE

THROUGH

416

DESERT
far off yet.

the final

But

worked

their

victorywas
through
way

the grove

They

of acacias,

the
long thorns of the bushes tearingeven
hide of the elephant. Eventually more
light
penetratedthe forest,and through the branches
of the scattered trees a gray
jungle could be
in the distance.
seen
Although the heat was
oppressive,Stasch climbed out of the
very
palanquin,settled himself on King's neck, and
in search of herds of antelope
looked around
to provide more
zebras, for he determined
or
the

for them

meat

the

To

them

to eat.

righthe

On

ostriches.

two

gazelsand beyond
passingthe last group

two

saw

elephantturned off to the left,and

then a different sight presenteditself to the
boy. Half a kilometer away he saw a very large
field of manioc, and on the edge of the field several
black people,apparentlybusy working.
"Negroes !" he cried out, turning to Nell.
His heart began to beat violently.For a
of trees

the

he

moment

and

return
to

him

sooner

hesitated

hide in the acacias,but

that in
or

and

he

whether

an

have

obliged to

relations

the fate of their

meet

pointingto
"Great

moment

same

the group

Man,

that

depend on the
after quick reflection

of these relations ; so
he guided the elephant toward

the

tants
its inhabi-

journey would

nature

At

must

one

them, and

with

not

it occurred

district

inhabited

later be

should

over

Kali

also

the field.

appeared,and

of trees, said:

there is

negro

village.

and

are

women

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

417

in the manioc

working

fields.

Shall I ride to them?"

will ride

"We

Stasch, "and

what

"Sir, I know

we

to

to say

them," cried

the

feelinghis great importance.

negro,

young

that

will tell them

you

friends."

as

come

then

together,"answered

there

Turning his horse toward the workers, he

placedhis hands trumpet-hketo his mouth and
cried

he!

"Jambo
When

sprang

up

but this

began

ging
very busy digroots, heard his voice,they
who

the women,
the manioc

up

and

sana!"

Jambo

stood

were

if rooted

as

quietonly lasted

to

scream

in the midst
excitement

and
of which

to

the

leavingtheir

for

moment,

off toward

run

the spot;

the trees,

villagelay,in

hoes and

they
their

rakes behind

them.
The

small wanderers

approached this village

slowly and silently.The thicket resounded

with the howling of several hundred
voices;
then silence reigned. At last the hollow, penetrating
heard, which
beating of a drum was
continued incessantly
for some
time.
This
was
evidentlyto call the warriors to
for suddenly more
than three hundred
of
war,
them appeared from out of the bushes,and they
all stood in one
long line before the village.
When
feet distant Stasch brought
a hundred
King to a standstill and began to look at them.
The

sun

beat down

on

their well-formed

bodies,

on

THE

THROUGH

418

chests,and

their broad

They
Around

DESERT

armed

were

their strong shoulders.

with bows and spears.

short skirts of
hips they wore
monkey skin. Their heads were

their

heather
adorned

or

with

large wigs
looked

ostrich and

made

of

parrot feathers

baboons'

or

scalps. They

menacing, but stood silent

and immovable, for they were
ished
so
utterlyastonthat their inclination to fight was
kept
within bounds.
All eyes were
fixed on King,
the white palanquin,and on the white peron
son
the neck of the elephant.
on
sitting
And
not
yet elephantswere
strangers to
them.
On the contrary, they were
continually
of elephants,
for at night whole
at the mercy
fields and
herds would
destroy their manioc
their plantations
and palms. As
of bananas
not piercean
can
elephant's
spears and arrows
chief-make
hide, the poor negroes fought againstthe misin
of fire and screams,
by means
which they imitated the crowing of cocks, and
they dug out trenches and made traps with tree
But they had never
trunks.
seen
an
elephant
and allowing him to sit
made
the slave of man
on

and

warlike

its neck; and

none

of them

was

able to

count
ac-

for this

sight. What
they
extraordinary
transcended
their wildest imaginations
so
saw
that they did not know
what course
to pursue
whether to fightor to run
fast as their
as
away
"

feet could
chance.

carry

Full

them

and

leave

of doubt, fear,and

continuallywhispered to

one

the

rest

to

surprise,
they

another:

THE

THROUGH

What

"Oh, mother!

how

here to us, and

come

these

beings who

they be disposed

will

rups
in his stir-

up

Listen to the voice of Kali,

"People,people!

the

of Fumba,

powerful king
And

Oh, hear, hear!

him, listen to every
"

"

of the

of the Basso-

the banks

live on

who

Wa-himas,
Narok

spear's

cried:

and

son

within

to

up

them, raised himself

of

throw

ridden

had

Kali, who

if you

word

he is

derstand
un-

going

say!"

to

three hundred
"Let

his

king advance, let him tell me

your

his

open

and

ears

lipsso

that

better."

hear

can

from

answer

throats.

and let him

name,

he

the

understand," rang

"We

M'Rua!"

"M'Rua!

voices

many

began

to

out.

cry

M'Rua
took

steppedout

of the rank

only three steps forward.

aged negro, tall

evidentlyhad no
trembled

keep
Other

and

the

from

dug their spears

they wished to

He

file,but
an

stronglybuilt, but

who

courage

ground
falling.

warriors

and

was

that he had

so

into

spear
to

419

us?"

toward

the

are

DESERT

to spare,
to

for his

legs

dig the point of

and

followed

to

lean

on

his

its hilt

his

example, and
into the ground, as a sign that
listen peacefullyto the tidings

of the stranger.

Thereupon
voice

Kali declaimed

at the

top of his

and

"M'Rua,

is

Wa-himas

people! You
the king of the

of

son

talkingto

whose

you,

around

mountains

the

M'Rua's

you,

that the

heard

have

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

420

the

cows

cover

Basso-Narok

as

giraffe.And
of the king of the Wais Kali, the son
what
himas, saying? He is telling
you a great piece
which is that the 'good Msimu'
of good news,
has come
to your village!"
ants

the

cover

dead

he cried still louder:

Then
"So

of

carcass

it is

good

the

"

Doo!"

Msimu!

the silence that ensued

From

what

guess

effect Kali's words

tremendous

had

aroused.

and

then

few

whilst others drew

steps through curiosity,

back

The

could readily

one

form

to

through

hands

warriors
in groups;

fear.

his spear,

on

began

to

advanced

some

leaned

M'Rua
and for

separate

with

both

short time

perfect
slightwhispering

silence ensued, followed

by

through the ranks, and

one

voice at

and

here and

peated
,time re-

"Msimu!

Msimu!"

cries: "Yancig!
and
But
and

there the

miration
Yancig!" which expressedad-

welcome,

Kali's voice

rose

to

were

heard.

be

again above

the noises

screams.

"Gaze

sittingover

and

be

happy!

The

good

there in the white hut

on

Msimu

is

the back

of the

largeelephant,and the largeelephant

obeys it like a slave obeyshis master and a child
Oh, neither you nor
obeys his mother.
your
fathers have ever
seen
anything like this
"

THROUGH

"No, no!

have

We
!

Yancig

this !

DESERT

THE
never

Yancig

421

anythinglike

seen

''

eyes of all the warriors turned to the

"hut," in other words, to the palanquin.

The

been told that faith

of the

course

received

had

traininghe
had

in the

Kali, who

And

Linde

on

Mountain

mountains,

move

can

religious

quiteconvinced that the prayer of the white

"Bibi" was
all powerful with God, and so he
continued to speak, as he thought truthfully,
about the good Msimu.
ing
The good Msimu
is rid"Listen!
Listen!
the elephantto that country in which
on

was

the

of the water

rises out

sun

There
Great

the

Spiritto

clouds will,in

good

send

seasons

millet,your

manioc,

grass in the

jungle,so

eat, and

to

and
need

will

your

cows

give rich

food

and
We

need

"And

the

good

from

Msimu

the

tains.
moun-

will tell the

clouds, and
you
of drought,water

these
your

bananas, and

your

the

that j^ou will have plenty

will have good fodder

milk.

Do

you,

oh

people,

milk?"

"He!

Spiritto

behind

send you

it! We
Msimu
a

wind

need

it!"

will tell the

which

will blow

Great
away

villagethat sickness which honeycombs

the body. Do you, oh people,want
it
to blow the sickness away?"
"He!
Let it blow it away!"
"And
of the good Msimu
at the prayer
the
Great
Spiritwill protect you from attacks,
from slavery,
from damage to your fields,
from
your

THROUGH

422

from

and

snakes

"

locusts
"He!

do it!"

him

Let

and

listen,look

of the hut

the

between

There
man,

DESERT

panthers,from

lions, from

*'Now

THE

who

see

sits in front

of the terrible elephant.

ears

the

Kubwa,

is Bwana

great and strong,whom

the

even

white

elephant

fears."
"He!"
"Who
kill bad

has thunder

and

in his hands

uses

it to

men."

"He!"
kills lions."

"Who
"He!"
"Who

sends up

fierysnakes!"

"He!"
"Who

breaks

rocks!"

"He!"
"But

will do you
respect the good Msimul"
who

harm

no

if you

"Yancig! Yancig!"
if you
will bring him
dried
"And
flour,eggs, fresh milk, and honey."
"Yancig! Yancig!"
"Then

come

before the
M'Rua

and

nearer

good

fall

on

will

banana

your

faces

Msimu."

and his warriors started off,repeating

"Yancig! Yancig!"
continuously,
they moved a
cautiously,
nearer,

for their

fear
superstitious

The

stepswere

of the

sightof

Saba

Msimu

Then

proaching
ap-

short

tance
dis-

halted
and

by their
the

also filled them

phant.
elewith

THROUGH

424

have

You

Msimu;

THE

done

now

be the
fear

the

fill your

whoever

sightof it,for

blessingof

from

your

good

Msimu

before the

reverence

arise and

so

DESERT

does

the Great

good

eyes

with

the

this,over

him

will
all

Spirit.Banish

hearts, and

know

that where

is,human

blood

can

be

not

shed."
At

these words, and

that

none

stood

could
up,

be
and

after
especially
of the good
account
on
carried away
by death,

the

other

warriors

the

planation
ex-

Msimu

M'Rua

followed

his

example, and they began shyly,but also with

to gaze at the graciousgodhead.
great curiosity,
If Kali had asked them
second time, they
a
would
have had to confess that neither
certainly
their fathers nor
seen
they had ever
anything
hke

this.

For

their eyes

accustomed

were

mask-like, grotesque figuresof idols,made

of wood
stood
a

and

hairy cocoanuts,

before them

on

the back

blonde, gentle,sweet, and

and

now

to
out

there

of the

elephant
smiling godhead,

resemblinga white bird and a white flower, and

so
they gained confidence ; their hearts breathed
freelyonce more, their thick hps began to smile,
and
unconsciously stretchingtheir hands out
toward
the wonderful
apparition,they cried:
"Oh, Yancig! Yancig! Yancig!"
But Stasch, who noticed everythingthat was
Kali stopped
as
going on, perceived as soon
speaking that a negro, adorned with a pointed
of ratskin, had
slippedout of line, and,
cap
glidingalong in the grass like a snake, had

in the

gone

the

at

of

direction

by

425

solitaryhut lying

the enclosure, which

of

rear

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

was

rounded
sur-

high railingheld together by

creepers.

Meanwhile

the

good Msimu, though greatly

by being set up as a godhead, put

embarrassed
her

out

little hand

greetedthe negroes.
shining with
eyes

request and
black warriors, their

Stasch's

at

The

pleasure,followed
every
of this little hand, believing
that it
movement
possesseda powerful charm, which would protect
them
misfortunes.
Some,
against many
whilst strikingtheir cheeks and hips,said: "Oh,
mother
! Now
everythingwill go well with us
"

with

us

and

with

M'Rua, who had

quitefamiliar, approached the
!"

cows

our

alreadybecome
elephant, prostrated himself, striking the
ground with his forehead, before the good
and whilst kneeling said to Stasch:
Msimu,
"Would

the Great

godhead

and

M'Rua
a

piece

but

as

had

no

whom

he agree

so

that

there

is

we
no

to eat
to

pieceof

let M'Rua

shall be

deceit

or

eat

brothers,
treason?"

immediately interpretedthese words,

he saw
by Stasch's face that the latter
inclination to taste a "piece"of M'Rua,

he turned

the negro

to

"Oh, M'Rua!
white

elephant,Kke

would

of him,

between
Kali

the

on

leads the white

Man, who

man,

who

Do

is

who

said:

reallythink
powerful that

you
so

fears him, who

his grasp,

and

has

the

thunder

kills lions,before

whom

that

the

the

phant
ele-

within
wobo

THROUGH

426

THE

DESERT

his tail,who
commands
fiery snakes to
wags
rise up into the sky, and who
shatters rocks
do you think that he can
hood
pledge blood brother"

with

But

rather

any

think whether

punish you

not

whether
eat

for

it will not

of the Wa-hima,

happen to meet?
Great Spiritwill

the

and
being so presumptuous
be honor enough for you to

pieceof Kali, the

eat

he may

king

and

of Fumba,

son

Kali,

of

son

"Are

}^ou his slave?"

"The

Great

Man

asked

to

M'Rua.

neither

stole

Kali, but only saved his life;that

leads the
land

of

the

show

the
that

so

bought
is why Kali
nor

man

into

the

Wa-hima

respect and

them

the

bring

presents."

it be

as

you

pieceof Kali,
"So

and

Wa-hima,
can

many

"Let

Msimu

good

Fumba

them

Fumba,

piece of you."

and

the ruler

let it be!"

and

say,

and

M'Rua

pieceof

Kali

repeated the

is the sorcerer?"

asked

"Where

is the sorcerer?

Where

is Kamba?"

at

M'Rua!"

warriors.

"Where

Where

shall eat

once

the

king.

is the

cerer?
sor-

cried many

voices.
Then

something happened that might have

completelychanged the situation,clouded the
friendlyrelations, and converted the negroes
into the enemies of their newly arrived guests.
From
the hut which stood apart, surrounded
by
infernal
fence, there suddenlycame
a special
an
noise.
It was
like the roar
of a lion, the clap
of thunder, the blast of trumpets, the laugh of

THROUGH

DESERT

THE

427

hyena, the howl of a wolf, and the terrible

King heard
squeak of rusty hinges. When
gan
these awful sounds he began to roar, Saba bewhich Nasibu
to bark, and the donkey, on
a

their spears out

ensued.
Msimu!

Our

warriors

The

sat, to cry out "J-a!"

with
up as if drenched

sprang
and tore

boilingwater
of the ground. Terrible
The
disturbing cries of

Msimu!"

reached

fusion
con-

"Our

Stasch's

the respect and good-willwith

had looked upon the newcomers
negroes

ears,

which

and

the

disappeared
The
in an
instant.
began to
savages
throw
suspiciousand hostile glances around.
Amongst the crowd a threatening noise was
creased
heard and the awful din in the lonelyhut inand

more

Kali

was

more.

troubled, and bending over

Stasch, he began

to

emotion

with

whisper
fright:

and

"Sir, the

sorcerer

who

fears

Msimu,

to

"

that he will not

presents,and is roaringwith
the

and

sorcerer

gifts
"

otherwise

his voice filled

awakened

has

the bad
these

the
receive

with

people will

bad
any

Sir, pacify

rage.

Msimu

quickly

generous

against

turn

us."

"Pacify them !" cried

He
suddenly became
wickedness
He

and

Stasch.

enraged against the

covetousness

of

the

sorcerer.

greatlyalarmed at this unlookedfor danger. The expressionof his tanned face

changed,justas it had done when he shot down
was

also

Gebhr, Chamis,

and

the two

Bedouins.

His

THROUGH

428

his fists,and

clenched

I I will

"Ah

Without

followed

the

negroes,
the warriors

hard

he said.

phant
time, he led the ele-

afraid to remain

was

lips,
pale.

grew

pacify them!"

soon

any
the hut.

Kali, who

he bit his

his cheeks

wasting

toward

it was

DESERT

threateningly and

shone

eyes

THE

him.

alone among

Then

from

rose

loud cry, whether of fear

to tell,but before they could
a

or

rage

regain

the railingcreaked and broke

their composure
under
down
the shock of the elephant's
head,

clay walls

the

caved

in,

cloud

the air,and

after

of which

the

was

Stasch, who

large

while M'Rua

and his

with

the end

on

the floor of the hut

on

of

out
a

people

Kamba.

sorcerer,

saw

made

drum

covered

and

hut

long,black, upturned trunk

the

saw

fell apart, the roof

of ruins and dust flew into

of the

hoUowed-out

tree,

Kali
monkey-skin, made
turning around, he stood

give it to him, and

facing the warriors, lookingstraightinto their
eyes:

"Hear,

people!" he

voice; "it

said in

not

was

loud,

roared, but only that villain there, who

the drum

At

wring presents from

afraid of him

as

are

to

these words

which

was

drum

and

all his

drawn

he

as

took

through

negroes

you,

pounds
and

you

children!"

began to pullat
might. The same

terrified the

who

Msimu

your

sounding
re-

hold

of the

the dried
it and

sounds

before

now

string

skin of the

twist it with
which

had

rang

out

did not

hut

smother

of the

them.

foolish

"Oh, how

429

louder, for the walls

much

again,only

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

dren!"
his chil-

and

M'Rua

are

cried Kali.
handed

Stasch

for

that
frantically

so

hear one's self talk.

threw

drum

the

while

for
up

not

feet, and

M'Rua's

'mid

of

he addressed

negroes,
no

could

he tired of this he

When

at

one

laughtersaid:
"That
thing is your Msimu!"
Then,
chattering, after the

shrieks

Kali beat

the drum, and

him

the

of

custom

warriors, and

by

was

sparing in expressing his contempt

them and for M'Rua,
and in holding them
and exto ridicule. He
plained
pointedto Kamba
means

that "this thief in the rat-skin

them

to

a rainy and
cap" had deceived them for many
him
and that they had
rewarded
dry season,
by feeding him with beans, young
goats, and
honey. Is it possiblethat there could be a
more
stupid king and a more
stupid people
than these?
They believed in the power of an

old

they
the

how

see

trunk

begging
his

Why
Ah,

and

witch

in

what

Msimu
sort

tree-trunk, which
the

women

white

Where

now?

stripof monkey
Neither

of the

not

of

your

now

from

"Aka!"

Where

man.

to

roar

skin and

nor

cries

is his

thing is
the

hangs

sorcerer

elephant and

an

mercy

does

witchcraft, and

this great

of

power

his

is

witchcraft?

protect him?
Msimu?

piece of a rotten
elephant has destroyed.
a

the children of the Wa-

430

THROUGH

himas

would

and

THE

been afraid of such

have
and

M'Rua

DESERT

his

men

Msimu,

afraid

were

of

it!

and one
really
only one real Msimu
and to him they ought
great and powerful man,
to show
respect and bring as many
presents as
they can, for otherwise they will be afflicted
such
with
misfortunes
as
they had never

is

There

of.

dreamed
This

harangue
had

Msimu

the

the

for

necessarj^,

proved

god

the negroes
was
quiteunwith his wicked
sorcerer

to

himself

in such

to

be weaker

than

extraordinarymanner,
and
Stasch satisfied them
well, that they
so
forswore
their allegiance
and
to the sorcerer
covered him with shame.
Again they cried out,
more
humbly and earnestly
"Yancig!" even
with
than before.
so
now
They were
angry
themselves
for having been deceived by Kamba
during many years that they insisted on killing
him.
M'Rua
begged Stasch to let them bind
him
and keep him until they had invented a
new

of dreadful

death
decided
them

to

that

from

the

Kamba,

by
face

as

to

drive

the

shame

Nell

But

Kali

could

had

be

Stasch

good Msimu,

villagewith
who

for him.

blood

human

no

them

torture

his life,and

spare

of the

presence

an

shed

only

feared he would

this time

for his deliverance.

forth there

was

mitted
per-

be put to death

cleverlydevised tortures, fell on

before the good Msimu, and weeping
her

in

unhappy sorcerer
and ignominy.

their

thanked

told

nothing to

his
terly,
bit-

From
mar

the

decidedly
people.
the

goats, fowls, eggs,

from

millet.

them

to

This

bring

any

beans, and

black

children; and

throughout

the

about
travelers.

there

so

the guests, after which

the
between
As

cementing

Kali

Kamba,

M'Rua.

who

was

figuresin

such

who
old negro
formula
took his

an

bond

of

place.

gested
sug-

of the

cipal
prin-

gone
familiar with

very

After

of

fellowship

had

ceremony,

was

war-dance

usuallyone

sounded
re-

the little

of the warriors

one

and

held

cries

battle in honor

sham

of

the

great rejoicing

was

the warriors

devised
skilfully

forbade

among

villageand joyful
the tent occupied by

Then

made

paid them generously

colored percale,

He

more.

glass beads and

distributed tiny mirrors

Nell

and

beer

lasted until Stasch

with

and

grown

long enough at
from
distance, they vied
a
in bringing presents, young

the warriors

with

the

stared

had

women

Msimu

good

than

looking

better

the

After

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

432

he

off,
the

killed

had

the liver and divided it

goat, removed
young
in several largepieces,
he began to twirl around
a

on

hands

and

feet like

and looking
fly-wheel,

first at Kali, then at M'Rua,

voice

son

of Fumba,

will you
M'Kuli

of
the son
M'Rua,
of M'Kuli, will
son
M'Rua,
Kali, the son of Fumba?"

"We

solemn

"Kali, the
of

said in

you

will !" cried the future

eat
"

eat

and
a

piece
you,

pieceof

brothers.

"The

People
which

was

saw

the

the

long, black

sorcerer,

trunk,

Kaniba."

"

on

Page

the

end

428.

of

THROUGH
"Do

DESERT

Kah's

that

433

heart

M'Rua's

heart, and

heart

should

be

should

be

heart?"

"We

it!"

wish

"And

and

the hands, the spears,

the cows!"

"And
"And
now

wish

you

M'Rua's
Kah's

THE

everythingwhich
will possess?"

or

"Whatever
"And

he possesses

that between

you

falsehood, treason,
"Nor

hate!"

"And

that

either

the cows?"

one

possesses

will possess !"

there shall be neither

and

hate?"

nor

of

neither

shall rob

you

the

other?"
"Never!"
"And

that you

brothers?"

are

"Yes!"
The

who

man

was

top turned

quickerand

assembled

and

whizzing around like a

quicker. The warriors

followed

with

his movements

interest.
ever-increasing
"but
cried the old negro
once
more;
of you lie to the other, betray him, rob

"Ao!"
if

one

him, poison him,

"He

or

kill him, he

accursed!"

shall be

shall be

repeated

cursed!"
ac-

all the

warriors.

"And
he

if he be

shall not

but

liar and

swallow

spitit out
"Oh, before

"And

before
our

contemplatetreason,

the blood

of his brother,

eyes?"
eyes!"
our

he shall die!"

THE

THROUGH

434

"He

DESERT

shall die!"

"Wobo

shall tear

him

pieces!"

to

"Wobo!"
"Or

lion!"

"Or

lion!"

elephant shall

"An
and

rhinoceros

"Oh, and
"And
"A

and

him

down;

yes,

buffalo!"

buffalo!"

snake

tread

repeated the

chorus.

shall bite him!"

snake!"

"And

his tongue shall turn

"Black!"

black!"

"And

of his head!"

"Out

his eyes shall

of his head!"

"And

he shall walk

"Ha!

with

Stasch
from
were

around

and

drop

out

with his heels in the air!"

his heels in the air."

Kali had to bite their

lipsto keep

terrible oaths
laughing while still more
being repeated, and the "top" turned

fast that their eyes could not follow

its movements.
The
old negro
kept this up
until his strengthwas
exhausted and his breath
gave

so

out.

he sat

down

on

the

ground

swayed his head from side to side.

Soon he arose, and grasping a knife, cut Kali's
and moisteninga pieceof the goat'sliver
arm
with his blood, pushed it into M'Rua's
mouth,
and a second piecemoistened with the blood of
Both
the king he pushed into Kali's mouth.
the pieces so
swallowed
men
quickly that a
rattlingnoise could be heard in their throats
and their eyes nearlystarted out of their heads ;
a

while and

Then

THROUGH
then

DESERT

435

they held each other by the hand,

and

of true

eternal

"Both

have

men

spit it

them

exclaimed

there

And

is

swallowed

out!

sign

joyfully:
it!

Therefore

in his heart

Stasch

Neither

they

of

sincere

are

them."

treacherybetween

no

as

friendship.

the warriors

Then

and

THE

thanked

Kali

for

for
having representedhim at this ceremony,
he felt that had he attempted to swallow a piece
sincere
of M'Rua
he might have proved himself inand

Henceforth

traitor.
the little travelers

in

were

no

laid for them

of
or
danger of having snares
beingunexpectedlyattacked by the savages ; on
the contrary, the greatest friendship
shown
was
almost worshiped as gods.
them, and they were
This worship increased when
Stasch, having
noticed

told
great fall in Linde's barometer, fore-

that rain

coming, and on that very

day it rained quiteheavily,as heavilyas if the
"massika," which was
alreadyover, was trying
The
to squeeze
out its last drops on the earth.
convinced
that the good Msimu
were
negroes
had given them this shower
of rain, and their
boundless.
Stasch
gratitude to Nell was
she was
the idol
teased her, saying that now
of the negroes,
he could continue the journey
was

alone, and would

leave her behind

where the negroes

village,
chapel of elephants'tusks
bringher beans and bananas
But

Nell felt so

sure

would

in the negro
erect

for

her

as

peace

and

small
would

offerings.

of his attachment

to her

THE

THROUGH

436

DESERT

simply reached up on her tip-toesand

whispered in his ear: "You will not leave me
she began to hop with joy, declaring
behind!"
Then
that she

that

journey to
quicklymade.
the

tent

before

old

when

the negroes
were
could be
the ocean
as

M'Rua

All

the assembled
the

kind

the

readily and
place in front of

this took

saw

so

multitude, and

Msimu

happy, he
crooked legs

hop as high as his

would let him, believing
that in this way he was
ample,
demonstrating his piety. Following his exthe chief officers began to dance, and so
began

also

to

did the warriors, the women,

and children,and
in fact all the inhabitants of the villagehopped

about

This
though bereft of their senses.
exhibition given by the "idol" amused
Stasch
much
that he laughed himself almost sick.
so
On the followingnight he earned the everlasting
gratitude of the pious king and his
subjects,for when some
elephantsraided the
them
banana-fields, he rode toward
on
King
and

as

set off several rockets into their midst.

panicwhich

the

fiery"snakes"

created

was

The
even

greater than he had expected. The enormous

filled the whole
animals, dreadfullyfrightened,

jungle with the sound

their stamping, and in

of their

trumpeting and

blind haste

they knocked
another
down.
The powerful King took
one
rades,
great pleasure in following his fleeingcomand struck at them
unsparinglywith his
trunk and tusks.
After such a night it would
be a long time before another elephantwould

438

THROUGH

gorge

where

THE

he had

left him
of the lack

take

with

of

DESERT

hidden

the

visions
pro-

"

"

such

covetousness,

and

account
on
by Linde, which
baggage-carriers he could not

he realized

him, but when

possessionof

goods

riches

them

cause

that the

their
might awaken
disturb
to be jealous,

the

of their lives,and set them

to
tranquillity
he dismissed this idea; but he shot a
fighting,
for a
large buffalo and left them its carcass
partingfeast. The sightof such a quantityof
**Nyama" satisfied them.
three days the caravan
The
next
went
through a barren stretch of land. The days
of the altitude,
were
hot, but the nights,on account

often

now

covered

Nell

have

to

They

cold that Stasch

so

were

up

passed over
barren

sometimes

found

it

with

two

sary
neces-

rugs.

mountain

narrow

and

sometimes
hilly,
covered with such thick vegetationthat they
in winding their waj'^ through
had difficulty
On the edges of these ravines they saw
them.
large monkeys, and here and there also lions
and
panthers,which had taken refuge in the
At Kali's request Stasch killed
rocky caves.
passes,

of the

one

skin to

they

animals, and

impress the

had

to

then

with

negroes

reckon

with

Kali

put

on

its

the fact that

of

person

kingly

blood.
On
negro

tableland

hamlets

beyond the narrow

passes
again appeared. Sometimes

in groups,
they were
days'journey apart.

sometimes
As

one

or

two

protectionagainst

huts

lions all the

fences,
that

at

even

like the

short

undergrowth

risingfrom

the center

439

surrounded

were

interwoven

so

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

and

with

overrun

distance
of

by high
vines

they appeared

forest.

of the huts

smoke

The
was

the

only

inhabited.
The caravan
they were
welcome
was
as
everywhere as it had been
trust,
first excitingfear and misin M'Rua's
village,
and then surprise,
spect.
admiration, and reOnly on one occasion did the sightof
the elephant,Saba, the horses and the white
entire villageto flee to the
an
people cause
neighboringforest,and therefore the travelers
known.
had no
chance of making themselves
raised againstthem,
But not a singlespear was
not filled by
for if the hearts of the negroes
are
hatred
and treachery
with
Mohammedanism
againstunbelievers, they are apt to be timid
welcomed
travelers were
and peaceful. The
so
heartilythat Kali had to eat a pieceof the
villageking and the latter a piece of Kali,
friendlyrelations were
whereupon the most
To
the good Msimu
consummated.
they did
by offering
homage and showed their reverence
fowls, eggs, and honey, brought from hollow
indication that

blocks of wood, which

branches

of

threads.

The

had

large tree
"Great

been

by

Man,"

fastened
means

of

in the

palm

the ruler of the

elephant,the thunder, and the fieryserpent,

aroused general terror, which
soon
place
gave
convinced
that he
to gratitudewhen
they were
he was
was
as generous
as
powerful. In places

THROUGH

440

small

the

where

villageswere

arrival

the

of

news

DESERT

THE

of

these

be communicated

guests would

the

numerous

extraordinary
to

the next

tlement
set-

for the negroes

nounce
ansignals,
by drum
everything by beating the drum.
the whole population advanced
to
Sometimes
them with friendlygreetings.
meet
itants
In one
villageof nearly a thousand inhab-

potentate, who

the

and

sorcerer

was

at the

time

same

to
king,expressedhis willingness

great "fetish," which

show

them

the

much

reverenced

and

dreaded

so

was

the

people
did not dare to approach the ebony chapelcovered
with rhinoceros hide, and so they placed
their offerings
fiftyfeet distant. The king told
and
Stasch
Nell
that this fetish had
lately
the

fallen from
a

had

moon

immediatelyexplainedthat

the
which
He

it down

sent

and

good Msimu,
deviate

from

had

and

thought

the

simply one

was

sent

Nell

from

up

felt

and

Though

that

of the kites

Mountain.
when

he decided

to continue

from

carried

they
the

the

hill-tops.That
kite and let it fly,
which convinced
and
that the good Msimu

the negroes
the white man
had
moon

out

happy
might have

others stillfarther,and

Linde

very

wind

same

sending up more
eveninghe made

the request of the

speaking he did not

truth, for it turned

the

the

at

in thus

'greatfetish"
he

white and had

that it was

moon,

Stasch

tail.

that

also

come

down

from

the

gods to be served with humility.

pleased with these demonstrations

were

THROUGH

DESERT

THE

441

much
humility and adoration, Stasch was
more
dehghted on hearing that the Bassothan ten days'journey
ISTarok was
a Httle more
distant, and that the inhabitants of the village
lived often
received salt
in which
they now
for palm-wine.
from
that country in return
heard Fumba
The villageking had even
spoken
of as being the ruler of people called "Doko."
Kali said that the neighborslivinga short distance
of

gave

away

this

to

name

and

the Wa-hima

Samburu.
The
on

not

that

news

the banks

war

of this vast

be necessary

by marching
deep ravines
Stasch

great

reassuring,for in

very

it would

was

no

over

was

sheet of water

was

of this

consequence

to reach

the Basso-Narok

wild mountains

infested

raging

now

and

through

beasts of prey.
But
longer afraid of such beasts, and

by

he

to the low
preferredthe wildest mountains
So
fever lurked.
ageously
plains,where
they courcontinued
their journey.
After
leavingthat largevillagethey passed
but one
other, a small settlement, that hung
like a nest on the edge of a precipice.Then

the country

became

mountainous,

the

hills in

To
places being separated by deep ravines.
dark chain of mountain-peaks,
the east rose
a
from a distance,looked quiteblack.
which, seen
now
plored
They were
travelingthrough an unexstretch of country, and so they could not
tell what
might happen to them before they

reached

Fumba's

land.

On

the

mountain

THROUGH

442

THE

DESERT

plenty of bananas, but with

the dragon-treeand
acacias,
which
stood out by themselves, the trees grew
The
ers
travelin groups,
forming small groves.
slopesthere were
the exception of

often

halted

their

renew

abundant

in these

strength,as

to rest and
proves
well as to enjoy the

shade.

ferent
Many difspecies large rhinoceros birds {which
Stasch called pepper-eaters),roller, starling,
laughing-dove,and countless beautiful "bengalis" fluttered in the thick foliageor flew
to another, singlyor in groups,
from
one
grove
in every color of the rainbow.
Many
glittering
from a distance, appeared to be covered
trees, seen
with
Nell
colored flowers.
was
ularly
particand
delighted on seeing flycatchers^
large black birds with bright red feathers on
their breasts, whose voices sounded
like a shepherd's
flute.^ Beautiful bee-eaters,pink on top
and pale-blueunderneath, glistened
in the sunlight,
catching bees and dragonflieswhile on
the wing. The
of green
screams
parrots could
The

trees

swarmed

with

birds.

"

"

be heard

the tree-tops,as could a sound

of silver bells,the mutual
greetingsof small,
from

gray-green

birds

hidden

Between

sunset

and

in the
dawn

sparrows^flew past
chirping and the flapping of
might have been mistaken

of native

'

Terpsichore

Quelia iEthiopica.

viridis,

Laniarius

foliage.
such large flocks

that but for their

their
for

wings they

clouds, and

erythrogaster.

THROUGH

THE

would

DESERT

443

thought that the songsters

who
made
the trees vocal during the day were
humming throughout the night.
still more
But
the children were
surprised
with some
and delighted
other birds which flew
in flocks and sang
delightfully.Each group
Stasch

consisted

have

of five

six females

or

with

metal-like
glittering,
alightedon acacias the male

and

feathers.

"

sounded
male

as

"

and

to

he had

the females

finished

the last refrain of his song.

brief pause he would begin again,and

they would

acacia, and the

line to the next

and

chorus

through
never

the

would

the

in her

like

he

concert
out

noon.

once

The

of soloist
more

children

listening. Nell would

jointhe chorus, twittering

and

last tones

when

of

catch the notes

sounded

ring

silence of
tired

grew

After

again repeat the refrain

fly in an airy,wave-like

the flock would

then

listened

they repeated

in unison

had ended

the

on

tuning his voice,the

were

sing,while

in silence. When

sat

after the firstnotes, which

though he

began

the

perching on

top of the tree, while the females

lower branches

male,
They

one

little thin

voice, which

of the sounds,
quick repetition
"tui, tui, tui, tui, twi-ling-ting,
ting!" Once,
when
they were
following the winged songsters

from
found

that

one

tree

they were

to

another, the

alone and

children

meter
nearly a kilofrom their camping-place,
for they
away
had left the three negroes
and King and Saba
behind. Stasch,who had planned to go hunting.

THROUGH

444

had not

frightenthe

of birds had

flown

side of the broad

stood

stilland

might

the flock

When

the last acacia

to

ravine, the young

the

boy

said:

I shall take

I shall

then

for fear he

game.

from

other

"Now

DESERT

Saba

to take

wanted

and

bark

THE

if there

see

back

you
are

King, and
antelopesor

to

any

high jungle, for Kali says we

have
to last two
meat
only enough smoked
days."
"But I am
a
big girlnow," answered Nell,
who
was
always desirous of showing that she
"and therefore I will
was
no
longera littlegirl,
return
by myself. The camp and the smoke
can
easilybe seen from here."
afraid you might get lost."
"I am
"I shall not get lost. In the high jungle I
might, but here look how low the grass is."
"Something might attack you!"
said that lions and panthers do not
"You
hunt their prey in the daytime. Besides, do
hear how
King is trumpeting because he
you
in the

zebras

"

is lonesome

where

hunt

And

she

insistent

"No,
I

am

smoke
and

on

What

King's voice

began to
going.

is heard?"

and in fact to be

coax

Remember,

alone.

first hesitated, but

at

her

of the

King,

quite

up!"

grown

have

dare to

lion would

Stasch, I shall go

Stasch
her

for us?

own

way.

The

campfire could

who

was

be

lonesome

in the
camp

end
and

let
the

distinctly
seen,
without

Nell,

THROUGH

446

THE

DESERT

pinkish shrubbery, or
from
this narrow
might come

large monkeys

that

her off
done

or

bite her.

most

Instead

of

with

angry

foolish

Heaven

pass and carry

I have
help me!

thing!"
he

being only uneasy,

himself

and

became

now

terriblyfrightened.

reasoningfurther, he turned back, as

though with a forebodingof evil. He stepped
quicklyto one side,and, as a matter of habit,
he held
formed in his dailyhunting expeditions,
his gun ready to shoot and glidedthrough the
as
as
a panther creepsilently
pricklymimosas
ing
an
antelopeherd at night. Then he
upon
thrust his head above the tall shrubbery and
stood there as if petrified.
Nell
was
standing under the kousso bush
with hands extended ; the pinkishflowers, which
she had dropped in her dismay,lay at her feet,
and about twenty feet away
a
large goldenyellowanimal was creepingtoward her through
Without

"

the low

grass.

Stasch
the

saw
distinctly

chalk-white

bowed

head and

face

eyes fixed on
its
girl,he saw

its green
of

the

flattened

ears,

its upraisedpaw

forward, expressingits waiting and

attitude,its long body and even
longer
stealthy
tail, the end of which was
moving with an
stretched

almost

At
to

have

"

"

been

other
An-

imperceptiblecat-like movement.
moment
a
spring and it would

the last of Nell !

this

sight the boy, accustomed

danger,at

once

as

he

was

realized that if he did not im-

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

mediatelyregain his

composure

of mind, if he

shoot and

animal,

the

would

to

were

be doomed.

stimulated

by

these

suddenly became

as

and

presence
merely wound

badly, the girl

Controllinghimself, and
and legs
thoughts,his arms
to
rigidas steel. Thanks
how

matter

no

447

his habit of observation, he noticed

the animal's

near

ear,

dark

spot

pulledthe

took aim, and

trigger.
the

At

shot, a

from

scream

Stasch

the report of the

Nell, and a dreadful growl.

instant

same

in front of Nell, and

sprang

her with his

second

The

came

shot

own

was

body took aim again.

The
quiteunnecessary.

terrible cat

lay stretched
ground, its paws

the

on

twitched.

even

never

one,

had

and

neck, above

torn

like

out

in the

The

rag,

its

and

grass,

bullet,an

the entire back

nose

it

explosive

of the head

the eyes glared and the

gangliaof the brain could be seen.

bloody,torn
The

away

while protecting

which

little huntsman

and

Nell

for

stood

by side,looking first at the slain

beast, then at each other
speechless.Then
Stasch, whose selfa strange thinghappened.
possessionand calmness would have astonished
the most
experienced marksman,
suddenly
turned
pale,his legs began to tremble, tears
side

moment

"

started from
head

and

his eyes,

repeatedover

he

put his hands

and

"Oh, Nell, Nell, if I had

Here

he
on

was

seized with

despair,and

again:

over

not

turned

terror,

every

nerve

to his

back!"

terror

in his

dering
bor-

body

THROUGH

448

twitched and trembled

there

tension

if he had

as

his tremendous

After

ague.

DESERT

THE

came

He

lassitude.

mental

and

bodily-

of weakness

moment

imagined

attack of

an

he

the

saw

and

terrible

lyingin a dark cave tearingNell's bodyAnd

indeed
to pieceswith its bloody mouth.
this might really have
happened it would
A
have
happened had he not turned back.

beast

"

moment,

late.

too

him

These

thoughts were

result

recover

him.
small

more,

have been
much

too

for

bear.

to

The
to

it would

and

second

that Nell, who

was

the first

was

obligedto

from

the

The

dear little child threw

fright,was

around

arms

and

his neck

fort
com-

both

her

wept, crying

loudly as though trying to awaken him

out of a sound
sleep.
"StaschI
Stasch!
Nothing has happened to
me!
Only look and see! Nothing has happened
out

as

to me!

It

was

the
never

time before

some

and

composure

arrived

Little Stasch!

on

recovered

Stasch

calmness.

the scene;

Stasch!"

Dear

he had

heard

and
knowing that Bwana
camp,
shot in vain, he immediately

horse to carry
young

drew

negro

back

saw

and

"Wobo!"
Not

away

until

Kali

after

Soon

his

shot

near

Kubwa

brought

when
the game.
the
But
the slain beast he suddenly

his face became

ashen-gray.

he screamed.
now

stiffeningcarcass,

did the children

for

definite idea of the kind

Stasch

as

approach the
yet had

of beast he had

no

shot.

THROUGH

THE

DESERT

449

very

sight the boy thought it might be

large "serval,"^but on taking a nearer

view

he

dead

beast

At

first

that he

knew

golden-yellowskin

dotted

was

brown

spots; but its head

that of

of

and

leopard and
; its legswere

wolf

its eyes

still stared

immovable,
was

some

knew

as

at

as

by

away

if out

as

had

been

the second

of

chasm,
that it

sure

zoologists

geographers did

of the

Sea.

continued

to

gaze

with

terror

animal, repeating in

if afraid to awaken

"Wobo!"

broader,

of them

as

that

somewhat

the bullet

the children

littleabout

outstretched

than

longer,its paws
One

Its

chestnut-

narrower

was

frightful. Stasch felt

speciesof panther which

Basso-Narok
Kali

leopard.

with

resembled

enormous.

completelytorn

mistaken, for the

was

largerthan

even

was

The

Great

an

the

at

tone,
under-

it:

Man

has

killed

wobo!"

Stasch, turning to the girl,laid his hand

her littlehead, as if he wanted
to make
on
sure
had not stolen her, and said:
that wobo
But

"Do

you

see,

Nell, do

you

see

that

quitegrown
up, you ought not
alone in the jungle?"
"You
are
right,Stasch," answered Nell
I go
a
penitentexpression. "But may
with King?"
or
you
how
Did
"Tell me,
did this happen?
hear it approach you?"

you

'

were

grey

animal

the size of

if

even

to

go

with

with

lynx, a species of tiger-cat.

you

THROUGH

450

around

flowers, so I turned
I

the beast

saw

the

DESERT

large golden fly flew

"No.

THE

justas

it,and

then

creepingout

from

toward

it was

of the

out

ravine."

happened next?"
"It stood stilland began to look at me."
it look at you
"Did
long?"
"Long! It was
only when I dropped
"And

what

flowers and

covered

face with

my

protect myself that it began

Stasch
she

would

owed

from
the

surprise

creature

people he

had

seen.

shivered

from

Thank

and

once,

the

to

negress

head

for
so

to

heaven

ferent
dif-

foot.
I

that

back!"

Then

he

"What

inquiredfurther:
were
thinking
you

"I wanted

to

call you,

and

of

"

at

that

did not

ment?"
mo-

dare

"

"

but
"But"
"But

what?"
I

thought that

you

"

these words

she threw

once

and

more,

he

her

began

hair.

"Are
"No."

you

not

defend
certainly

would

I don't know

me.

neck

boy

been

heaven!

"Thank

At

the

up

disconcerted

was

the first sightof

on

Again

had

to
"

to creep

deliverance

her

hands

my

carried off at

animal, which

moment

turned

been

have

that she
of the

that if Nell

knew

the

afraid now?"

arm

to

around
stroke

his
her

THROUGH
little Msimu!

"My

But

"Yes.

"Yes,
Both

You

see

will kill all the vicious

you

imals."
an-

afraid that

look at the heast of prey.

another

took

wished

told Kali
a

keep

to

skin

to

second

alone, and

it,but

he

begged

when

was

from

to be left

not

than

wobo

venir,
sou-

appear

whether

asked
a

as

the negro

might

afraid of

reallymore

its skin

wobo

of the ravine, and

there

Msimu!

my

I will!"

so

Stasch, who

out

451

is!"

Africa

what

now

DESERT

THE

he

he
was

was

of

lion he said:
"A
over

lion

fence, but

night and
wobo jumps

in the

roars

dajdight,kills many
negroes
and then steals
of the village,
Neither

spear

nor

againsta wobo,

for

last

But
wobo

they took

him.

is any
protection
can't be killed."
at

this one;

wobo, but

not

black

rope

and

tied the

mous
enor-

horse, and the latter dragged it

the camp.
Stasch

unable

cause
keep the skin, beKing, who apparently guessed that the
had attempted to steal his littlemistress,

flew into such

to

with

eats

Kali.

cat to the

toward

kill

can

man

answered

At

and

heart

quite dead?"

"White
man!"

wobo

in the very
one

jump

it in broad

over

said Stasch; "look

"Nonsense,"
isn't it

bow

does not

was

rage

pacify him.

that

to

even

Grasping

his trunk, he threw

Stasch
the

it twice

was

able
un-

slain beast

into the air.

THROUGH

452

THE

he

began to beat
last stamped it under
pulpy, formless mass.
then

to

of its head
swarm

cleaned
was

it againsta tree, and

his feet until it was
Stasch

its teeth, which

save

he had

ants, and

up

the bones

signof

with

other parts
in the path of a

hour

an

flesh

later

of blood to be

or

CHAPTER

days later Stasch made a

plateau that, although smaller
Linde

resemblance
attacked

to

the remains

with

which

the

That

it.

very

baboon

of

seen.

halt

bore

Mountain,

large

there

XIX

FOUR

than

they had

thoroughly that

so

able

only

was

at

some

laid down

of

not

DESERT

children

as

kite
had

started to travel toward

sent

the

and

rower
nar-

great

evening Saba
he was
playing
of those

the second

"

on

up
ocean

before
"

and

they
after

fightbit him to death. Stasch and Nell,

cided
profitingby the halt to rest themselves, deto continue
making kites, but to send
ing
blowthem up only when a strong monsoon
was
a

hard

from

the west
that if but

the hands

of

toward

of them

one

Europeans

certainlyexcite unusual
the
seek

of

means

them.

better chance
the kites not
also in

the east.

or

were

Arabians

interest,and

Stasch
to

culated
cal-

fall into
it would

might

be

specialexpeditionsent out to
That
his message
might stand a
of being understood, he wrote
on
only in English and French, but
a

Arabic, wliich

was

not

difficult for him,

THROUGH

454

For

more.

once

age

THE

they

were

of the land

boundary

DESERT
not

the

near

the Wa-

belonging to

tribe?

hima

hard to tell how

they would
of the journey, but in any
to hope that it would
the boy had reason
event
rible
not be more
fatiguingor longer than the ter-

It was, of course,
find the remainder

the banks

ride from

of

the Nile

the

to

which
distance he
were,
plainwhere they now
had
accomplished, thanks to his wonderful
quicknessof action, and during which time he

had

Nell

saved

from

would

Wa-hima

welcome

Besides, he

and

how

knew

pretty

sure

he could get

you

he

know,"

between

in every

to

them;

negroes,

he

so

along with

felt

them

even

said to Nell, "that

savage

of

than

more

Fashoda

the remainder
more

hospitably

most

assist them

manage

already covered

have

that the

Kali.

without
"Do

knew

accustomed

was

to

He

them

would

for Kali's sake, and

way.

death.

and

our

negroes,

half

but

and

the sea,

journey we
we

are

the

we

tance
dising
dur-

may

meet

free

from

the Dervishes?"

prefernegroes,"answered the girl.

"Yes, as long as you pass for an idol. I
stolen from
was
Fayoum
along with a girl
I am
called Nell, and now
bringing a Msimu
"I

I shall tell my

home.
son

that

they are

not

father and
to call you

Mr.

by

any

name."
Her

eyes

began

to twinkle

merrily.

Rawliother

"Perhaps

shall

we

''Perhaps. If

our

see

it were

^55

in Mombasa!"

papas
for the

raging
of the Basso-Narok,
we
might
How
journey sooner.
ing
provokshould go to war
just at this

the banks

on

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

accomplishour
that Fumba

not

war

time!"
these words

At

"Kali, has
about

will

happen?

the Samburu
will

"And
"And

from
and

thunders

Stasch

and

Samburu

war

should

not

turn

the

news

from

the great

Kali."

has

consider what

to

that

gun

part he would

between

war

the Wa-hima

determined

interfere with

that

the

it would

their

give

the

that

be

journey.
a

great

Fumba

prospectivevictoryto

advantage.
On
arrivingin
further

we

the

Therefore, all he need do would

hand.

the sick

from

away

tribes; he

surprise,and
to

can

land?"

that their arrival would

knew

war

kills."

take in the

to

run

great

How

Kali, for Kali

began

have

be

anything

very

what

Samburu

upper

Samburu."

King and
from you?"

He

great,

and

from

man,

Kali.

heard

negro

Fumba

through

"The

sick

is

There

"Then
travel

the

to

war?"

"Yes.
between

he beckoned

his

own

the small

villagesof which
hunter had made
mention, they made
in regard to the war.
And
inquiries
became

more

and

more

but
reliable,

at

THROUGH

456

the

THE

unfavorable

time

same

the Wa-hima's

It

Stasch

begged

to

as

war

of

large sheet

ated,
situ-

was

feel very sad.

fast as he could

Kali

travel

of

mountain.

broad

made

news

of the

great "boma"^

high and

This

bank

Fumba's

water, where
on

led

said that the seat

was

the south

on

was

fensive,
the de-

on

by Mamba,
taken a considerable
portion of
country and captured a great

king, had
cows.

The

Fumba.
was

that the Samburu,

and

many

to

that he

small travelers learned

their

DESERT

He
over

separatedthem from the

menaced
district that was
by the war, and he
promised to find a road over which they could
lead King as well as the horses.
They were
which

mountain

the

in

now

which

country with

Kali

was

very

familiar,and he recognizedthe mountain

he had

since childhood.

known
it was

But

and

no

if

to

matter

easy

they had

been

not

the

cross

assisted

whose
inhabitants of the last village,

they had
find

to

people

with

won

gifts,they

road

another

for

the ravines

knew

mountain

peaks

better

than

Kali

by

the

good favor

would

have

had

But

these

this side

of the

King.
on

tain,
moun-

did, and

after

journey of two days and two nights,

during which they suffered greatly from the
cold, theywere
van
eventuallyable to lead the caraover
a narrow
pass into a valleywhich from
its appearance
seemed to belong to the land of

wearisome

the Wa-himas.
'

also

The

be

same
a

kind

as

the

zareba

of castle

or

in

the

Soudan.

fortified camp.

large

boma

may

THROUGH
Stasch

made

halt to take

horseback

in this barren

by shrubbery,

allowed

to be

in

reconnoiter

to

457

rest

enclosed

valley,which was
Kali, who begged

but

DESERT

THE

to

on

go

direction

the

of

lay a day's journey

very night. Stasch and

which

his father's boma,

distant,started off that

anxiouslyawaited his return for a whole

vinced
followingday and night, and they felt conthat his strengthmust
have given out,

Nell

that he must

or

the

have

At

enemy.

last

he

reappeared

and

panting horse, he
depressed that it made

weary

and

of

fallen into the hands

himself

tired

so

sad

one

his

on

to

see

him.
He

prostratedhimself at Stasch's
to the rescue.
begged him to come
"Oh,
have

Great

conquered
have

Fumba

eat

said, "the

Fumba's

several of them, and

they

he

Man,"

driven

warriors

those

out; and

the mountain

on

does

Man

not

and

Samburu
and

killed

not

killed

they have
they are

in the great 'boma'

and his warriors
Fumba

will

kill Mamba

feet and

besieging

Boko

on

have

tain.
Moun-

nothing

perishif the
and

all the

to

Great
Sam-

burus."
While

latter frowned

the

should

At

of

begging, he clasped Stasch's knees;

and

considered

do, for,as always,Nell

lengthhe asked,

Fumba

whom

"Where

the

was

are

Samburus

what

he

his first consideration.

the warriors
have

persed?"
dis-

THROUGH

458

"Kali

DESERT

THE

found

them

and

"

will

they

be

soon

here."
"How

of them

many

The

moved

negro

young

there?"

are

his

fingersand

the exact

apparentlyhe could
number, for the simplereason

could not

count

several times, but

give

not

that he

further than ten, and that every

was
"wengi," which means

number

higher

toes

"many."
"When
hasten

and

put yourselfat their head

the relief of your
father," said

they come,
to

Stasch.

"They
not

afraid of the Samburus

are

with

go

Great

Man

Kali, but they would

and

"No," he said

matter

last.

at

Bibi to the battle

nothing would

with

go

the

kill wengi, wengi Samburus."

thought the

Stasch

and would

me

to do

once

more.

neither

can

behind

leave her

nor

tempt

"I

over

take

alone;

it."

Thereupon Kali arose, folded his hands,

and over
again:
began repeating over
"Lunla!
"What

Lunla!

do

Lunla!"
mean

you

and

by

Lunla?"

asked

Stasch.
"A

for the wives of the Wagreat boma

and the Samburus,"
answered
the young

himas
negro.

And
For
each

he

Fumba
other

began
and
for

to

Mamba

had

several

years.

each other's

other's cattle.

tell quitewonderful

But

been

at

tales.
with

war

They

had

plantationsand stolen
on

the south

bank

of

stroyed
deeach
the

THROUGH
lake there

was

during the

even

hardest battles

tribes assembled

This

place was
the

459

placecalled Lunla,

both

between

DESERT

THE

sacred.

The

"

of

women

their market.

only raged

war

of

the fortunes

men;

the

"

hold

to

in which

did not

war

who found
a
destinyof the women,
place,
refuge in Lunla, their spaciousmarketwhich was
enclosed by earthworks.
ing
Dur-

affect the
safe

these disturbances
children

their

with

from

came

bringing smoked
and

various

warriors
Lunla

they

not

were

hj

means

provisions. The
to

battle

women

of

old-fashioned

within

them

bamboo

down

rods.

of

the

market-place.

in front of the

handed

long

the

nearer

crowing

allowed

encircled

which

They could only stand

the

of

allowed

not

villages,

beans, millet,manioc,

kinds

other

distant

within earshot of the

than

earthworks

then

possessions. Some

most

meat,

were

cock, and

and

the

even

fled there

of them

many

wall, and

provisions
This

was

an

respectedby both parties.

But the victorious side always tried to hold the
road to Lunla
to prevent the vanquished
so
as
from
approaching near
enough to the sacred
place to hear the cock crow.
"Oh
Great Man," begged Kali once
more,
he clasped Stasch's knee, "the Great
Man
as
will bring Bibi to Lunla, and he will take King
and Kali and the gun and the fierysnakes and
custom

he will conquer
the wicked
Stasch believed the young

he

had

heard

that in many

Samburus."

negro's story,for
parts of

Africa

THROUGH

460
women

affected

not

are

that
Said

in Port
warlike
the

DESERT

THE

by

had

told him

once

He

wars.

German

young

the

membered
re-

missionary
that the most

livingin the vicinityof

Njaro Mountain, followed

tribe of Masai,

great Kilima

consequentlythe wives of
the warriors on either side could pass freelyand
unmolested
to the market-place agreed upon
Stasch
without
fear of being attacked/
was
stillprevailedon
much
pleasedthat this custom
and

this custom,

the banks

that

for he felt

of the Basso-Narok,

be in any
danger
also concluded
to break
up

would

Nell

that
from

the

war.

He

camp

at

once

and

fident
con-

not

Nell

take

to

Lunla, which

cause
particularlydesirous of doing, beof the quesout
further journey was
a
tion
and
the help of
until the war
was
over,

he

was

both

the

Wa-himas

and

the

was

to

Samburus

was

necessary.

Accustomed

as

Stasch

he

knew

release Fumba,

at

revenge,

to

to

command

antagonists seemed
not

only

for

what

once

conquer
from
prevent the Wa-himas
a

make

the

his

him
own

to do.

cisions,
deTo

Samburus,

to

taking too bloody

and

peace
to

quick

reunite

the

sary,
absolutelyneces-

sake, but

also for

the negroes.
"It must
be accomplishedand it
shall be!" he said to himself, and in the meanwhile,

pacify Kali, for whom

sympathy, he explainedto him
to

means
'

An

refused
actual

fact.

his assistance.

he felt much

that he

by

no

THROUGH

462

THE

DESERT

of their eyes gleaming, for

still uncertain
whether
they ought

ished, the whites

they

were

kneel

to

down

or

fall

their faces, but

on

firmly believed that, with the help of

extraordinarybeings,the triumph of the
burus

would

soon

be at

end.

an

Stasch

they
these
Sam-

rode

on

elephant through the rank and file of the

standing warriors like the leader of an army
holdinga review ; then he made Kali repeat his
promise to release Fumba, and gave orders to
the

break

camp

Kali

rode

for

Lunla.

in front

tell the assembled

with

wives

several

warriors

of both tribes that

to

they

fore,
good fortune than ever bewho was
in seeingthe "good Msimu,"
ing
comsuch
to them ridingon an elephant.This was
those
that even
an
extraordinaryoccurrence
tribe who
of xhe Wa-hima
women
recognized
Kali as the lost heir to the throne thought that
the king's young
son
was
trying to make fun
of them, and they were
tempted
surprisedthat he atthe whole
to joke when
tribe and
Fumba
in such desperate straits.
But
were
several hours later,when
enormous
an
elephant
with a white palanquin on Jtjsback was
seen
approaching the earthworks, tfreywere
nearly
with joy, an^ \ welcomed
the
beside themselves
with
such
howls
shouv^i- and
good Msimu

have

were

to

that

Stasch

of
so

rarer

mistook

the

hatred, especiallyas

hideously ugly

witches.

that

uproar

these

they

i\

"

outbursts

negroes

looked

were

like

THROUGH
this

But

was

admiration.
a

463

of showing their great

their way
in
When
Nell's tent was
set up

of the

corner

DESERT

THE

with

two

trees

and

the Samburu

market-place,in the
luxuriant foliage,
the
adorned

women

shade

of

Wa-hima

it with

lands
gar-

of flowers ; then
of food that it

and wreaths

theybrought
such a quantity
not
was
only
enough for the goddess herself,but also enough
to last her retinue for a month.
The delighted
women

bowed

even

adorned

Mea,

who

was

with

pink percaleand several strings

and
glass beads, and for this reason,

of blue

also

before

because

seemed

she

to them

Msimu's

was

to be of much

servant,

higherrank

she

than

ordinarynegress.

an

Nasibu,
allowed

of

his

also
youth, was
he diately
the enclosure, and
imme-

account

on

within

profitedby the offeringsbrought to

Nell, and appliedhimself so conscientiously
to
sembled
eatingthat an hour later his httle stomach rean

African

war-drum.

CHAPTER

restinga little while before the earthworks

of Lunla, Stasch started off before

FTER

"^*-

with

sunset

warriors
to

XX

Kali

to go

attack

the

at

to Fumba's

Samburus

that in the darkness

make

Lunla

the head

of three hundred

boma, for he wanted

by night,reckoning

the

"fierysnakes" would
greater impression. The journey from

to Boko

Mountain,

on

which

Fumba

was

THROUGH

464

THE

DESERT

counting the

take nine hours,

besieged,would

halt for rest, so that they would arrive before

the fortress about three o'clock in the morning.

The

situation.

defenders
in

he

to be silent ; then

them

began

darkness, but

be heard

And

from

now

the hollow

the

wrapped
kept several

was

sound

distance could

of kettle-drums,

as

singingof the warriors,

who apparentlywere
not sparingof the pombe^
while celebrating
their final victorj^ Stasch,
well

the shouts

which

lightilluminated the
the gianttrees growing

Their

steep sides of the cliffand

at its feet.

inspectthe

on

Samburus

the

campfiresburning.

to

of the hill

summit

waiting in ambush

were

commanded

halt and

the warriors

made

Stasch

as

at

the head

so

that at last he

feet from
be

and

of his men,
not

was

the last

advanced

stillfurther,

than

more

campfires. There

hundred

seemed

to

less
guard anywhere, and the moonnight made it impossiblefor the savages
also hidden by
to see the elephant,which was
the foliage. Stasch, sittingon
King's neck,
no

one

on

his final orders in

gave

made

sign

to

Kali

low

to

of voice, and

tone

set

off

of

one

the

rockets.
A

red streak

sky, and

golden

fell in

stars.

of

moment

later two

shot high up
spluttered,

more

Then

'

An

of

every

voice

fierysnakes

cracklingsound,

intoxicatingbeer

and

made

red, blue, and

shower

silence ensued.

into the

ceased
few

and

seconds

ascended, making

this time directed

from

millet.

more

toward
horizontally
the

all the

was

terrible because

campfireshad
From
trampled down.
Samburus

that the

Wa-

and

battle that

The

run.

all the

and

peting
trum-

it took

ment
darkness, for in the excite-

absolute

place in

King's

assegais/clubs,

the
more

at

camp;

of three hundred

with

himas, who, armed

knives, came
up on
ensued

heard

were

howls

the

and

465

Samburus'

the

there

time

same

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

the

saw

extinguished

been

the first moment

fierysnakes

they

had taken place

panic-stricken.What
was
absolutelybeyond their comprehension.
of terrible
that some
sort
They only knew
were

had

creatures

and
Most

fled before

of them

of the Wa-himas
warriors

touched

that fearful

threatened

destruction

inevitable

and

them

overtaken

them.

the spears and clubs

dred
them.
Over a hunhad

Mamba

gathered
around
him defended
themselves
despairingly,
but when
by the lightof the shots they saw a
giantanimal and on it a being dressed in white,
and heard

When
saw

whom

the reports of the gun which

fired, they lost courage.

Fumba,

who

was

on

Kali incessantl

the mountain,

the firstrocket burst in the air above

he fell to the

him,

frightand lay there

if lifeless. On
several minutes
as
recovering,
he concluded, from the despairinghowls of the
kind of supernaturalbeings
warriors, that some
Then
he thought
were
slayingthe Samburus.
ground

that if he did not

'

Lances

and

spears.

come

from

to the assistance of these

THROUGH

466

their
spirits

him, and

THE

the destruction

as

and
hidden

crept

changed

and

thus

tryingto escape.
a
slaughter. The

into

penetratedonly by

was

riors
war-

kettledrums

ceased to rumble.

of the Samburus

ness
dark-

The

the red

flashes

Kali's gun, the shrieks of dying warriors,

of the wounded,
and the hollow
groans
clubs

beating of
air.

No

For

fear

confusion

shields rang

on

for

begged

one

know

negroes

no

of

and

escape

hittinghis

his warriors

broad

in the

last ceased

at

blocked

narrow

young

ground

in his skull.

him

offeringfor

bound
the

as

spiritswho

had

querors.
con-

heroically

His

son,

the
who

of Fumba,

future

rendered,
sur-

slavery
the

from

himself

Faru, fellinto the hands

ordered

and

that cruel
them

defended

club smashed

only

pass, and
those
slain save

this

death awaited

Mamba

now

ravine,but Fumba

though they knew

the

self
sword, threw him-

of the fugitives
was
every one
who
threw themselves on the

until

people

own

darkness, Stasch

by passingthrough a

immediate

the

mercy.

the enemy.
could
The Samburus
from the mountains
to the frontier

on

and

through

quarter, for

and grasping Gebhr's

firing,

or

Samburus

of a
by means
quicklyreached
The fightthus

of the boma

out

side passage,

of those

most

the

of the

against

his deliverance, he collected all his

meant

from

also be turned

might

rage

DESERT

thanksgiving
come

to

his

assistance.
Stasch

did

not

lead the terrible

King

into

only allowed him

the battle,but

shoot

much

enemies

frightenedthe
not

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

reallyno

kill any
desire to

done

or

to

not

him

Nell

did

He

more.

for in the first

promised little
and secondly,he had
one,
kill people who had never
he

place,before leavingLunla
Nell

which

to roar,

Samburus,

at the

once

467

any

harm.

He

was

satisfied

having secured the victoryfor the Wa-himas

and in having released the besieged Fumba.
after with
When
Kali came
running up soon
of the final victory,
he ordered him to
the news
still raging in the
stop the battle,which was
clefts of the rocks and was
being prolonged by
Fumba's
fury.
But it was
plish
daylightbefore Kali could accomthis. As is usual in tropical
countries, the
and
sun
rose
quickly behind the mountains
flooded with its bright light the battlefield,
than
where
hundred
Samburu
two
lay more
the fighting
time later, when
Some
corpses.
ceased and the joyfulhowling of the Wa-himas
the morning calm. Kali reappeared,
disturbed
in

but with such

it was

very

before

had

Great

to

from

befallen him.

cry

Man!

out

distance,that

Standing

to

pound

in

Fumba

that

countenance

sorry

Stasch, he began

his fists and

"O

sad and

evident, even

mishap

some

his head

still

with

sad voice:
kufa!

Fumba

kufa!"^
"Killed?"
Kali
'Fumba

repeated Stasch questioningly.

related what had happened, and from

is dead.

THROUGH

468

his words

THE

readilyunderstood

it was

misfortune

DESERT

the result of Fumba's

was

for after the battle

was

over

kill two

Samburus,

and

from

received

The

thrust

Kali.

from

was

news

and

Wa-himas,

an

he

excited

conqueror

death

he

the

surrounded

group

six warriors

carried the

dead, but

not

to see, before

elephantwho

of the Samburus.

in his eyes,

was

of them

one

He
was
king on spears.
He wanted
mortally wounded.
he died, the powerful man
on
an
the true

attempted to

dispersedamong

old

was

revenge,

lance.

soon

afterward

Soon

that this sad

tonishmen
As-

the haze

but

of

also

veilingthem; and his pale and

stiffening
lipswhispered softly:
"Yancig! Yancig!"
Shortly after his head sank back, his mouth
opened wide and he expired.
was

loved

Kali, who

him, threw

himself

his

on

breast and
to

wept. Some of the warriors began

beat their heads, others to proclaim Kali

king

and

Others

fell

ruler.
Kali

to

Not

cry

"Yancig!"

one

eldest son, but

gained the victory.
boma

the bad

Msimu

like the sound

the negro

young
heard, for

mountain-top the
could be heard.
that Stasch

but
village,

he

had

wild

was

he had

also because

in the sorcerers' huts

the

on

the

voice was
dissenting
king not only because

Fumba's

Meanwhile

in his honor.

their faces before

on

their

was

out,

and

in the

roaringof

At

first it was

heard

before

tliistime it was

not

in

di-

THE

THROUGH

470

"Oho!

DESERT

Kali is

servant!

of all

king

now

the Wa-himas."
This

which

change, by

sudden

Nell

amused

news

Gebhr

the treacherous

This
very much.
the former
slave of

and

later Stasch's

king,struck
exceedinglydroll.

had become
and
Linde's

Nell

nary
extraordi-

as

that the negroes

remark

vant
ser-

like

were

children,incapableof remembering what happened

from one
day to another, did not apply
Stasch
and
Nell
to Kali, for scarcelyhad
reached

the foot of Boko

monarch

young

than

hastily toward

ran

greetedthem with
and repeated the

Mountain

the usual

them,
and

reverence

words

same

the

joy,
spoken

he had

before:
"Kali
Great

be

Man

His

admiration

what

he had

knew

that the Great

up

the

Fumba's

the
them

of

Man

was

than

where

hut

divided

bow

to

into

Stasch

and

was,

Nell
he

signed
as-

them; it resembled
several

Lunla, and
the good Msimu,

who

in the

who
to

He

rooms.

women,

from

milk

concerned
himself.

the boma

to

Wa-hima

gazing at
honey and sour

low

more

about

solemnly led

to the summit

ordered

very

people, for, from

during the journey, he

observed

the little Bibi

large shed

assembled

before

he had

the

great that he all but

so

he made

Nell

After

and

Kali."

was

worshiped Stasch;

about

Wa-himas

the

king of
king over

never

panied
accom-

tired

put vessels of

first room,

and

THROUGH
heard

he

when

that

THE

DESERT

the

Bibi, who

Fumba

and

Fumba

and

Kali

to be

Mamba,

Stasch

peared
ap-

bury

to

slaves

many

for

fingers on both
propitiateBibi and the

to

are

will order

Faru,

the

son

of

beheaded, and also wengi, wengi

Samburus

other

as

there

as

Kali

Man

when

give orders

will

behead

to

their hands; and

Great

so

short rest. Kali

before him, and said:

low

Kali

them

decided to pay

the shed after

"To-morrow

very-

journey, had fallen

all the people to keep
penalty of having their

tongues cut out. He now

still greater homage, and

approached, bowed

was

the

fatigued from
asleep,he commanded
perfectlyquiet,under
much

before

471

taken

prisonersby

the Wa-

himas.
Stasch

frowned, and

gazing severelyinto

Kali's eyes, replied:

"I forbid it."
in a trembling
"Sir," said the young
negro
voice, "the Wa-himas
always behead their prisoners.
old

the

When

king dies they

king follows they

people; if a young
people. If Kali does
killed the Wa-himas
is

not

command

will not

them

behead
behead
to

be

believe that Kali

king!"
Stasch

looked

"WeU,

how's

not

learn

you

not

"I

am,

"Then

at

him

that?" said he.

anything on
a

still more

Linde

severely:
"And

did you
Mountain?
Are

Christian?"
O

Great

hsten!

Man!"
The

Wa-himas

have

black

THROUGH

472

THE
brains

brains, but your

their

now

are

them

what

Bibi.

They

are

now

it is forbidden

the Great
those

people do
you

and

"

Kali!

behead

not

them

treat

shed

who

even

you

Replace

of the Wa-himas
will bless you,
is a savage, a
A

terrible

and

Msimu

Therefore
a

bamboo

sorcerers

will not

you

Gebhr

did

on

you,
toms
cus-

ones

and God

say

that Kali

negro."

the sorcerers' huts

and

waved
"I

his hand

hear!
heads

the

know

you

are

not

quitewell
frightenedat

only

say

this much

you

would

savage

vicious

continued:

prisoners. But
so

and

Stasch

the blood

wants

is,and

Bibi

stupid and
roaring from

excitedly and

for

war,

Shame

by humane

his words.

drowned

that

and I pray punishes

White
innocent blood.

ancient

the

"

Bibi

Christian!

hyenas

prisonersof

and
prisoners,
cruellythan

more

and

me

Tell them

them.

whom

Spiritto

you

enlighten and

must

behead

to

As

learned
from
you
like jackalsand

beings of

human

be white.

must

king, you

teach

make

DESERT

Your

of the

what

this

this noise.

rod, go into every

you: Take
hut and thrash the

until

louder

they

roar

to

than

their

kettle-drums, and throw the kettle-drums into

the midst of the boma, so that all the Wa-himas
may

see

and

comprehend

how

these villains are

time tell your

deceivingthem ; and at the same
what
told M'Rua's
stupid Wa-himas
you
dwells the
people that where the good Msimu
blood of human
beings must not be shed."
Stasch's words
apparentlyhad some
weight
"

THROUGH
the

with

THE

king, for

young

will

"KaH

thrash

out

himas

that where

the

the

be shed.
and

Faru

looked

him

at

well, will

sorcerers

the kettle-drums, and

throw

must

he

473

answered:

and

moment

DESERT

But

the

good
what

tell the Wa-

Msimu

is

shall Kali

Samburus

who

blood

no

do

with

have

killed

Fumba?"

Stasch, who

had

alreadyplanned everything,
this question,
anticipated
swered
immediately an-

had

"Your
both

so

father

slain.

were

with

slain,his father

was

form

must

will live togetherin peace,

manioc

and

tell Faru

about

hunting together.
the Great Spirit,
and

love

like

brother."

you

"Kali

have

now

white

and

ing
plant-

You

must

Faru

will

brains!" answered

the

negro.

young

And

the

thus

afterward

conversation

ended.

savage

roars

resounded

but this time not

from

the wicked

from

the two

thrashingas
had

who

around
was

hood
brother-

Faru, then the Wa-himas

young

the Samburus

You

slain,

was

hard

as

remained

King,

they saw

heard

from

the

themselves

that

the

whom

were

only

they
a

up

the hill to

words

wicked

tree

The

with

their

of

more,

Msimu,
Kali

the

but
was

warriors,

standingin

accustomed

hollowed-out

once

skin

he could.

below

hurried

the matter;

and

whose

sorcerers,

Soon

see
own

circle
what
eyes

sorcerers

before
Msimu,
to tremble, was

trunk

covered

with

And

monkey-skin.
that

good

Msimu

when

deference

in

Faru

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

474

young

wishes

the

to

Great

the

and

told

they

of

he

Man

the
not

was

would
eat a piece
beheaded, but that KaH
of him and he a pieceof Kali, he could not trust

to be

his

then

senses;

Fumba's
bade

and

out

and

hut

his

on

her

head,

slave

as

were

the

as

world, awed
were

two

them

to

on

vengeance

the

king

negroes

placed

pombe
would

^and

Kali
corpse

smoked

the

After

was

older

to

the

ence
pres-

looked
in

sorcerers

all their

the

people
and

good

take

the

times

terrible

newcomers.

solemnly

buried

the boma.

at

Kali

on

meat,
them

to

that

so

during

of the
ceremony
and
Faru
was

given

they

customs,

under

cross

on

disturb

not

the

and the
his grave,
it several vessels containing

bamboo

and
was

the foot of the mountain

planted

but

The

silence.

Fumba

Meanwhile

remain

surprised at

king,

in their hearts

swore

over,

much

very

displeasedwith the new

realizingthat
sorcerers,

were

of

placed

he would

powerful

most

hold

and

guests, whom

of the unknown
upon

hands

came

of his life.

of the young

orders

such

entrance

he took

sign that

for the rest

Wa-himas

The

Then

his black

her little foot with

it

the

owed

lay there until Nell

arise.

him

he

whom

to

before

himself

pushed

his life,he
to

hearing

on

the

his

spirit
night.

brotherhood
over,

the Samburus.

Mamba's

tween
be-

THROUGH

DESERT

THE

XXI

CHAPTER

WELL,
have

can

you

made

475

tell how
since

we

journeys we
left Fayoum?" asked
many

Stasch.

"Yes."

girlraised her eyebrows and began

her fingers.
count
on
From
"Let me
see:
Fayoum to Khartum
the first journey; from Khartum
to Fashoda
The

Fashoda

the second; from

we

found

King

the third ; from

the fourth!"

"

the lake

to

"

"Right. Perhaps
in the world

to the gorge,

who

there

Linde

is not

has flown

"

"

where

tain
Moun-

another

through so

to

fly

much

of

Africa."

flywould have been

without you."
he began to laugh.
And
"A
fly on an elephant! A
"This

"But

tsetse.

no

"No,"

he

in

Ah, Stasch,

replied;"a

nice

fly on
no

plight

phant!"
ele-

an

tsetse?"

agreeable kind

more

of

fly-"
Nell, satisfied with
little face
"And

his

on

when

arm

shall

this

praise,leaned

and

asked:

we

start

on

our

her

fifth

journey?"
"As
these

soon

as

you

are

rested and I have

taught

Kali has promised to send

people,whom
along with us, how to shoot a little."
"And
are
we
going to travel very long?"

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

476

"Oh, long, Nell, long! Who

"And

you

of all

out

longest road?"

be the

won't

if this

knows

will,as

always do, find

you

way

difficulties?"

our

"I mustr

reallydid the best he could, but the

fifth journey required great
preparation.
tricts,
disinto unknown
more
going once
They were
Stasch

gers,
dan-

innumerable

there lurked

in which

againstthese the boy wished to take

done
greater precautions than he had ever
he taught fortyyoung
For this reason
before.
for
Wa-himas
to shoot with Remington rifles,
form a picked troop and
he thought they would
could
He
would also serve
as
a guard for Nell.
to shoot, for King had only
not train more
men
carried twenty-fiverifles and the horses had
and

carried fifteen.
be made

up

of

Samburus
which

Faru

presence

The

hundred
armed

with

promised

solved

of the army
and
Wa-himas

rest

to

lances

was
a

and

supply, and

the difficultiesof the

to

dred
hun-

bows,
whose

journey

ited
through the long stretch of wild country inhabwith

tribes. Stasch recollected

by the Samburu
eling
pridehow he had fled from Fashoda, travwith

no

but Nell

one

and two

negroes,

and

help of any kind ; so he now

dred
hunof two
thought that, being in command
and having an elephant and
armed
men,

that he had

some

had

no

horses,he could

soon

reach

the coast.

imagine what Englishmen, who

stress on
forming resolutions, would

He

tried to

lay

such

say

For
to

the present it was

familiar
be more

itself into

emptying

the

with

banks

of

the

important to find out

flowed
from
it, eventually

river

absolutely
necessary

not

but it was

Basso-Narok,
whether

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

478

the

The

ocean.

Sam-

subjects,declared that to
country lay a large,waterless

burus, Faru's
east

of their

which

had

one

no

crossed.

ever

from

his

that

would

weariness

with

as

them

him.

In

this

singleone

up

and

dispersethe

it would

water-course,

suffer the tortures

arid

regions,so

could

be found.

But

which
he

be

were

the boma.

He

the kites he had

and from

Following
impossibleto
stream

to

give him

he could not

of the

sent

up

from

of

him

at

of all

opinionthat
Linde

take

bank

eastern

duties retained

was

the negro

would

water

unable

along the

other

with

attack all travelers in

reliable information, and

the lake because

find

But, above

inquired where

the Samburus

lengthy excursion

had

caravan.

main
re-

would

of the desert alone

Nell, Mea, and the littleNasibu.

all,he recognizedthat the lack of
break

and

would

many

he

case

he

danger

as

perhaps not

in the middle

himself

soon

overtake

home, and

return

Stasch

them, and

experienceswith

own

convinced

was

any

ert,
des-

the negroes well from the stories of travelers

and from
Linde's adventures, as well as

knew

the

the

Mountain

villagesthrough which they

passed,probablynot one had flown

chain of mountains
surrounding the

over

the

Basso-

THROUGH

new

DESERT
it

reason

and

ones

send

was

479
to

necessary

them

for

up,

these

could carry far off

He
the flat desert, perhaps to the ocean.
the

were
over

had

Nell

kites and

was

Kali

necessary

should

was

message.
of the

matter
on

learned

making
send

to

the

them

able to

write

Stasch

believed this to be

them

on

the

greatest importance, which

be

account

no

how

this matter,

to

skilful in

very

had

but neither

up,

the wind

only ones

give his personalattention

to

for

this

For

Narok.
make

THE

neglected.

duties

These

occupiedso much time that the

not ready to start for three weeks.
was
caravan
On the evening before they intended to depart
the young
fore
king of the Wa-himas
appeared beStasch, made
"Kali
as

far

as

bow, and

said:

and with Bibi

will go with the master
the sheet of water
which the large
on

rafts of the white

This

low

proof

he did not

swim."

men

of devotion

feel he had

touched

Stasch, but

the

rightto take the boy

such an
extended journey, from which he
on
might not be able to return in safety."
"Why do you want to go with us?" he asked.
"Kah
Stasch

loves the Great

laid his hand

"Kali, I know

your

on

that you

boy.

But

what

and

who

will

and

Man

Bibi."

the

woolly head.

are

true

and

ful
faith-

will

happen to your kingdom,

in
reignover the Wa-himas

place?"

"M'Lana,
Stasch

knew

brother
that

of Kali's mother."
negroes

fight for

the

THROUGH

480

THE
attracts

them

people; he thought a

while

throne, that power

white

good

justas
and

it does

then said

take you along. You

in order to make
stay with the Wa-himas
people of them."

"No, Kali!
must

DESERT

"Kali

return

them."

to

has

"M'Lana

not

can

and

sons,

many

what

would

if he should

aspireto be king himself

fore
and to leave his kingdom to his sons, and thereagainst you, so
instigatethe Wa-himas
when you seek to rethat they drive you away
turn?"

happen

"M'Lana

"But

is

He

good.

do that !"

no

if he does do it?"

"Then

Kali

will

water, to the Great

"We

shall not

"Then

to

go

Man

the great sheet

and Bibi."

of

be there then."

Kali will sit down

and

the water

near

for sorrow."

weep

he folded

these words

At
head

and

And

much!"

his

over

whispered:
loves the Great

"Kali

his hands

two

and

Man

Bibi

tears

shone

knowing

what

large

very

"

in his

eyes.

hesitated, not

Stasch
He

felt sorry

his

request

from

young

at

once.

He

knew

dangers he might
journey if M'Lana

the

return
were

Kali, but he did

for

"

to

incite the negroes,

negro

his life would

be banished

be

not

from

endangered.

or

not

that

encounter

the

to

"

do.

grant
apart
on

the

sorcerers

only would

the

his country, but

better for you

"It will be much

while

But

he

and

caravan,

the

when

she

wiped them away

turning to Stasch,

will go

decided

said:
us!"

she

This

Stasch,

spoke

in

will go with
"Perhaps not!"
she

"You

littlehurt.

decide."

to

one

"Kali

Then

in Kali's eyes

tears

saw

with

answered
the

not

separatedthe

tone.

"Oho!"
are

conversation

and
with her littlefingers,

she

"Kali

whole

partitionwhich

the thin

through

stay here,"

speaking Nell appeared;

was

overheard

had

she

to

481

better!"

said; "much

he

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

us!"

she

repeated.

suddenly stamped

her

little foot,

saying:
it!"

"I wish

looked

Stasch
unable

when
to

up

he

in great surprise,
if
as
what had happened to the

how

saw

eyes

for air like

and

Why

you

are!

and

so

gentle,

she put both little fists

mouth
with open
gasped

littlebird, he at

shall go with

us!

shall

at her

usuallyso good

was

her

"Kali

burst into tears.

understand

to

child, who
but

And

us

"

once

said:

yes, he shall go

with

unreasonable
crying? How
shall go! Do
He
hear?
you

are

you

He

go!"

And

so

of himself

it

settled.

was

all that

Stasch

felt ashamed

day because of his weakness

in giving in to the "good Msimu,"
and
she,
having gained her point,was as quiet,gentle,
and

submissive

as

ever.

THROUGH

482

THE

DESERT
XXII

CHAPTER

THE

started

caravan

journey

at

followingday. The young

happy, the little despot was

the

felt very
and obedient, and
and

its

on

hope.

Stasch

hundred

rise
sun-

negro

gentle

full of energy

was

accompanied

Wa-himas

forty of the latter being armed with

Remington rifles,which they knew how to use
structed
quite well. Their white leader, who had inthem,

for three

them

weeks, knew

given signalthey would

make

that at

great deal of

noise, but do littledamage; he also knew

in

conflict with

as

important

people

savage

part

as

noise

do bullets,and

that

plays
he

was

took
pleased with his guards. The caravan
large quantitiesof manioc, little baked
away
of big fat ants carefully
dried and
cakes made
ground to flour,and also a great deal of smoked
also accompanied
About
meat.
ten
women
and
the caravan,
they carried various things
for Nell's comfort
and
of
water-bags made
the elephant'sback
antelope skins. From
Stasch supervisedand gave orders, which were
perhaps not exactlynecessary, but he did this
because he loved to play the role of the
more
leader of an
indeed, he surveyed his
army;
small army
with pride.
"If I wanted
be

to," he said

to

himself, "I could

king of all these tribes just as Benjowski

in Madagascar!"
was
And
the thought flashed through his brain
"

THROUGH

perhaps it would
eventually,subjugate

that

country,
head

of

or

an

here

was

of

play the part

in Africa, he did not

was

who

agree

would

the

for old Poland

give him

Alexander

an

at the

only

permission
of Macedon

confide these

person
with him.

Besides, it would

thoughts to

in the

world

be essential to be

of these savages before

this part of Africa, and
with

in this

Poland

new

soldiers ; but
of trained negro
absurd
idea, and doubting
an

army

Nell, who

region, civilize

whole

his father would

whether
to

be well to return

to leave

even

feelingthis

483

found

and

the negroes,

DESERT

THE

independent
quer
attempting to conso

he busied

self
him-

what

The
caravan
lay nearest him.
advanced
in a rope-like
line. Stasch, on King,
had determined
to bring up the rear, so as to be
able to have everythingunder his own
eyes.
the people marched
When
past him in single
file he noticed with surprisethat the two
cerers,
sorM'Kunji and M'Pua, who had been
thrashed
van,
by Kali, also belonged to the caraand were
carryingbaggage on their heads
and marching along with the others.
He stopped them
and asked :
"Who
told you
might go along with
you
us?"

"The

king,"

answered

both, bowing

very

humilitytheir

eyes

low.
But

shone

under

the

mask

of

wildly and their faces bore

expressionof rage that at first Stasch
so

such

an

felt like

THROUGH

484

THE

drivingthem

Calling Kali
"Kali

to, for Kali is clever."

again ask

M'Kunji

thority.
au-

with us?'*

to go

sorcerers

leave them

cleverness not
"If

the

told them

"Therefore

Kali's

him, he asked:

to

order

you

cause
only prevented be-

was

wish to undermine

he did not

"Did

and

away,

DESERT

at home?"

M'Pua

and

did your

why

you,

remained,

had

so
they would have stirred up the Wa-himas
that they would have killed Kali on his return,
and
if they go along with us
Kali will look
and put a guard on them."
out for them

Stasch

considered

while and

said

"Perhaps you are right;but be on

day and night,for there is mischief
eyes."
"Kali

has

answered

bamboos,"

the alert
in their

the young

negro.

The

now

caravan

Stasch

ordered

set forth.

that the

the last

At

ment
mo-

guards equipped

Remington riflesshould close the procession,

selected and trusted men.
for they were
During the gun practisingthey had in a way
with

become

fond

of their young

they guarded
themselves
now

had

more

to

leader, and because

his illustrious
favored

guard

capture those who

the

than the
entire

they felt
others. They

person

caravan

and

to

It
attempted to run away.
evident that as soon
was
as
danger or fatigue
there would
be plenty of deserters.
came
On the first day, however, everythingwas

THROUGH

486

THE

Some

services.

as

sang

DESERT

they squattedon

the

ground Hke Turks and stared into the fire,but

they all talked so long and so loudlythat at last
silence so that
Stasch was
obligedto command
Nell could sleep.
The
ing
nightwas very cool,but the next mornthe first rays of sunlightlightedup
when
the

the air became

scene

small travelers beheld

At

warm.
a

sunrise

the

peculiarsight. They

dred
just approaching a lake about two hunkilometers long,or what might be called
a
large puddle, which had been formed in a
mountain
valleyby the rain, when Stasch, who
was
sittingalongsideof the girlon King and
scope,
surveying his surroundings through the telesuddenly cried:
"Nell, look! See the elephantsgoing to the

were

water!"
Half
of

kilometer

five

"But

these

don't

see

much
any

Meanwhile

are

smaller

not
ears,

at

large as

so

and

as

very

King,

for tusks, I

at all."

the

their trunks, but

deeper and
last only their

into

the

the bank

like

elephants went

they did not pause

King usually did, and did not

went

herd

stillregarding them

was

water, but
with

seen

strange looking elephants,"

attentively."They
have

be

lake.

are

said Stasch, who

and

could

slowly advancing single file

beasts
the small

toward

away

on

bathe

themselves

advancing, they
steadily
deeper into the water, so that
black backs, resemblingpieces

rock, stood

of

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

over

the

They

are

out

487
the

of

surface

water.

that?

"What's

diving!" cried

Stasch.
The

slowly approaching

was

caravan

the

bank, and at last reached it. Stasch ordered a

first
halt,and gazed with the greatest surprise,
There was
at Nell, then at the lake.
nothing

elephantsexcept five dots

face
looking like red flowers ridingabove the surand rockinggentlyto and fro.
of the water
"They are standingon the bottom, and these
be

to

of

seen

the ends

are

the

Stasch,

of their trunks," exclaimed

his own
scarcelybelieving

eyes.

he called

Then

Kali:

to

"Kali, did you see?"

"Yes, sir, Kali has

the
answered
elephants,"^
"Water-elephants?"
"This

the

is not

those

seen;

calmly.

negro

young

first time

water-

are

Kali

has

seen

them!"

they live in the water?"

"In the night they go into the jungle and
graze; in the daytime they live in the lake,just
like the riboks.^ They do not go out until after
"And

sunset."
'

In

Africa

there

water-elephants
but

no

one

History

had

credited

commissioned

are

many

elephants on the shores

the
subject. This report
Kosmos."

^Hippopotamus.

Le

Monsieur

can

Petit, who

Leopold
be

seen

Tales

mysteries.

the ears
repeatedly reached
them.
Lately the Paris Museum

of Lake

"

unraveled

in the

in

the

had

of

explorers,
of

Natural

seen

water-

Congo,
German

of

to write

on

Magazine

THROUGH

488

For

THE

could

Stasch

time

some

DESERT
not

recover

surprise,and had he not been in a

hurry to continue the journeyhe would have held
tillthe evening, so as to have
back the caravan
a better
opportunity of observingthese peculiar
his

from

it also occurred

But

beasts.

elephants might
the lake, and
the water
to

So

at any

to

out

come

place,it would

of
of

be difficult

well in the dark.

depart,but

to

on

he said to Xell:

"Nell,

we

enough

to

when

seen

ever

seen

what

think?

reach
I

something

have

has

European

me

that the

oppositeside

were

the command

gave

the way

know

they

nearer

them

see

he

if

even

the

on

emerge

him

to

the

tell them

And

before.
if

That
ocean

no

that

which

we

no

do you

lucky

are

will believe

one

there

are

water-

elephants in Africa."
"And

if you

had

caught

one

of

them

and

had taken

said
it along with you to the ocean?"
Nell, who, as usual, felt satisfied that Stasch

could

do

anything.
CHAPTER

XXIII

travelingten days

AFTER
from the
different

mountain

pass

the
and

extended

caravan

entered

issued
a

very

plain,mostly
level,but broken here and there by small, wavelike
hillocks.
The
vegetationwas
completely
changed. No large trees towered above the
waving, grassy plain. Only here and there,
region,

an

quitefar apart, there

coral-colored

with

and

umbrella-shaped stems,

scanty foliage,and

but

little shade.

In

speciesof
resembling the arms
a

the

of

like

ears

soared

Hawks

black and

ripe

The

corn.

high

white

in

ered
feath-

acacia bush

yellow and had

dried-up jungle

was

grass

one

grew

ferent
diffood for many
kinds of animals, for during the day the

travelers
a

The

abundant

to furnish

seemed

and

candlestick,

birds flew from

other.

furnishing

some

the grass.
the air,and lower down

to

therefore

the
placesbetween
euphorbia,with branches

taller than

crow-like

489

up rubber-acacias,

sprang

but

ant-hills

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

often

met

large

zebras.

great many

herds

The

heat

of
on

antelope
the open

plainbecame unbearable. The sky

cloudless,the days were
was
fieryhot, and the
night did not bring much relief.
arduous.
Day by day the journeygrew more
The small villages
through which the caravan
inhabited by the wildest savages,
passed were
who
terror-stricken that they received
were
so
and if it had not
the travelers very reluctantly,
been for the numerous
armed men
and the sight
of white faces, and King and Saba, great danger
and

treeless

would

have

threatened

them.

Stasch, aided

by Kali, learned that there

farther on, and that they
villages

were

no

were

coming

they

heard

more

to

were

animals

some

waterless
hard

to

they saw
watering-place.But

district. The

tales

believe,for the
must

have

merous
nu-

found

these stories of

THROUGH

490

THE
there

desert in which
stream

to be

rumored

was

neither

negroes, and
the party, and M'Kunji

puddle frightenedthe

nor

deserted

of them

some

DESERT

the

example. Fortunately,
their flight was
quickly perceived,and the
elers
mounted
troupe which accompanied the travbefore they had
discovered them
gotten
When
the camp.
far from
brought
they were
back
vinced
rod, conKali, by the aid of a bamboo
of such
of the inadvisability
them
a
and

M'Pua

set

the whole

assembled

Stasch

course.

company

and gave them a lecture,which the young

negro
Dwelltranslated into their native language. ing
on

the fact that

at

their last

headquarters

they had heard lions roaring around the camp

his
all night, Stasch did his best to convince
people that any one attempting to run
away
if he
would
their prey,
or
certainlybecome
acacia tree the still
to pass the night in an
were
terrible wobos

more

also

He

there

said

that

also be

must

would

lie in wait for him.

where

there
and

water,

antelope

are

that if in the

to strike
journey they were
waterless regions,they could take with them
enough water for two or three days in bags of
tion
antelopeskin. The negroes paid strict attenhe said,and continually
to what
repeated:
course

of

their

"Oh, mother, how

true

night five Samburus

and
every
not

make

from

night.
a

ing
it is!" but the follow-

and two

that time
But

second

some

M'Kunji
attempt

to

Wa-himas
one

and

ing
miss-

was

M'Pua

escape

serted,
de-

did

for the

THROUGH

THE

sundown
The

had

Kali

that

simple reason

DESERT

491

them

bound

at

night.

every

drier and

countiy became

drier,the

sun

jungle,and not a
be seen.
singleacacia could now
They still
herds of antelope,though fewer
across
came
than they had seen
previously. The donkey
neath
and the horses so far had enough food, for bethe high dried grass they found
in many
scorched
placesshort,green grass only slightly
But
not
King, although he was
by the sun.
beat down

on
mercilessly

fastidious, became
an

with

his head

much

acacia
and

the

he

On

thinner.
would

trunk

and

proaching
ap-

break

it apart
fillhimself with

leaves and pods. Until now

the caravan
young
had always been able to strike water, though it
was

often bad

that it was

and

not

that the
under

had to be filtered,
or

fit to drink.
men

Stasch

Then
sent

so

it often
out

salty
pened
hap-

in advance

without
return
guidance would
having found a singlepuddle or even
a
tiny
brook
in the hollows of the ground, and Kali
would
proclaim in troubled
tones, "Madi
is no
there."
water
apana"" "There
Stasch was
convinced
that this long,
soon
final journey would
not be easier than
certainly
the ones
they had accomplished before, and he
began to worry about Nell, for a great change

had

Kali's

also

her.

Her

face, instead of
being tanned by the sun and wind, had become
palerand palerday by day and her eyes had lost
come

their accustomed

over

brilliancy.Fortunately,on

THROUGH

492

these

THE

dry plainsthere

fever, but it was

heat
Even

was

at her

white

as

boy

fliesnor

no

danger of

evident that the unbearable

very

the

away

girl's
strength.
sadly and apprehensively

looked

littlehands, which

had become

he

and

paper,

as

were

wasting
the

now

DESERT

bitterlyreproached
much
time in making

having lost so
preparationsand in instructingthe

himself for

how

to shoot

that he had

in the hottest time

these anxieties

With
more

the

negroes

the

to continue

ney
jour-

of the year.
the days passed. Even

greedilyand mercilesslythe sun drank

dampness and the life from the earth. The

grass

shriveled

and

brittle that it broke

dried

up

off under

until

it

the hoofs

was

so

of the

antelope,which threw up clouds of dust as

found a
they passed. But the travelers now
from a
small stream, which they distinguished
of trees growing on
distance by the long rows
The
fast as they
its banks.
ran
as
negroes
could toward
the trees, and on arrivingat the
side by side on
bank
down
themselves
threw
in the water
the ground, dipping their heads
and
sisted
drinking so greedily that they only dewhen
a crocodile
caught one of them by
the hand.
Other negroes
immediatelyhastened
to the assistance

horrible
would

of their comrade

reptileout

not

let go

of the water

of the man's

they opened its jaws with

King, however, made an end
it under

foot, as

and

if it had

at once,

the

but

it

hand, although

spears

and

of it by

been

drew

knives.

trampling

rotten

mush-

THROUGH

494

thinking
I

now

that the wind

see

their chance.

take

let them

to

DESERT

THE

direction, and

I trust

the mountains

around

can

in any
from
up
and on

them

carry

those

sent

we

But

the Basso-Narok

flyas far as the ocean."

"They will certainlyflythere," said Nell.
"So be it!" said the boy to strengthenhis
culties
trust, while thinking of the dangers and diffitheir
them
that still lay before
on
journey.
started off again,
The
third day the caravan
in
taking with them a large supply of water
the leather bags. Before
they again
nightfall
to a region dried up
came
by the rays of the
here will

the road

sun.

Not

the

ground

be seen,
and
ing-floor.
a threshplacesresembled

acacia

an

even

in

some

was

to

passiflora with stems

penetratingthe ground and
much
as
as
resembling huge bottle-gourds,^
Occasionallythey came

four

feet

or

in

more

balls grew

enormous

diameter.

lianas,thin

crept along the ground quite a

such
would

an

impenetrablethicket

have

had

through it.

But

across

hard

time

From

these

twine, which
ing
distance, formas

that
to

mice

even

find

way

notwithstandingthe beautiful
of these plants,which
of the
remind
one
green
so
European bear's-f oot, they were
very thorny
the horses could eat any
that neither King nor
The
donkey, however, nibbled
part of them.
at them, though very
carefully.
At times they saw
nothing for several miles
'

Adenia

globosa.

"

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

495

short grass and flowers of a low

except coarse
which breaks off at
order, like the Durrblumen/
touch. On their first day in this place
the merest
in fieryheat all day long.
beat down
the sun
The air quiveredas it does in the Libj^an desert.
earth

The

was

flooded

so

with

lightthat

all

objectsappeared white. Not a sound, not even

ness,
the buzzing of insects,broke the deathlike stillthrough which penetrated the wilting
glare.
bathed in perspiration.
All in the party were
and again they would
Now
gage,
lay down the bagthe dried meat, and the shields in a large
beneath
it. Stasch gave
so
as to find shade
pile,
orders to be sparing of the water
; but negroes
take no
like children, who
are
thought for the
At last it became
to place
morrow.
necessary
a
guard around those who carried the bags of
and to deal out a fixed allowance
provisions,
of water
to each one
separately.Kali fulfilled
but it consumed
this task very conscientiously,
a

great deal of time, retarded

their march, and

findingof new
watering-places.
The
Samburus
now
complained that the Wathan they,and the
water
himas were
given more
Wa-himas
complained that the preferencewas
the

therefore

shown

to

threatened

them

'

that if they did Faru

beheaded,

hunters, who

The

back, but Stasch

to turn

understand

to

Samburus.

the

and

were

he

himself

armed

with

Plants peculiarlyadapted to dry climates.

latter

now

gave

them

would

have

ordered

the

Remington

THROUGH

496

THE

keep guard

rifles,to

DESERT

and

see

that

no

one

escaped.
second

night they passed on a barren

plain. No boma, or, as they called it in the
Sudanese
erected, for
language, zareba, was
there was
nothing there to build it of.
the camp
guards,
King and Saba formed
sufficient protection;
which in reality
but
was
King, who had not been given a tenth of the
he needed, trumpeted for it until sunrise,
water
and Saba hung out his tongue, turned his eyes
toward
Stasch and Nell, silently
begging for
The
at least a few drops of water
to drink.
girlasked Stasch to give the dog a littledrink
of water
of the rubber bags which
out of one
Linde's
they had found among
things,and
The

which

he

neck, but

girl,in

attached

wore

case

he

to

cord

around

his

keeping this for the little

dire necessity,
and refused her

was

of

request.
Toward

eveningof the fourth day there were

only five small bags of water left,containing
hardly enough to give each person half a glassful.
But as the nightswere
always cooler than
the days,one
is not so thirstythen as under the
burning rays of the sun, and as every one had
been given a littlewater
to drink in the morning,
that the water-bags be
Stasch ordered
reserved
for the followingday. The negroes
grumbled at this,but they stillstood in such awe
of Stasch that they did not dare to tamper with
the littlethat was
there were
left,especially
as

THROUGH

DESERT

THE

always two men

keeping guard

armed

Remington rifles
water-bags,who re-

with

the

over

497

The Wa-himas
other every hour.
the Samburus
quenched their thirst as best

Heved
and

each

they could by pullingup miserable blades of

and chewing their small roots, but even
grass
these had

retained
had

sun

less
moisture, for the merci-

no

sucked

Although sleepdid
least enabled

at

of the

it all out
not

them

to

ground/

quench their thirst,it

forget it. At night

party, tired and exhausted

where he
from
the day'smarch, dropped down
and fell fast asleep.
stood, apparentlylifeless,
Stasch

also

but he was
slept,
troubled to sleeplong and

and

few

of the

one

every

hours
the

what
he

he awoke

future

could

find

and

man

caravan,

difficult and

began
bring forth
for

water

restf ully. After

and

would

Nell

beast.

and

to

wonder

and

where

the

whole

situation

The

terrible,but

even

worried

much

too

as

yet the

was

sible
sen-

did not

yieldto despair. He recalled

all that had happened since they had been carried
off from
ment
Fayoum until the present mothe first great journey through the
boy

"

Sahara, the hurricane in the desert,the escape

from Gebhr, then the journeywhich they took
after Linde's

death to Lake

Basso-Narok

and

to where

on

they were now stopping."We have

through so much, and suffered so much,"

gone

he said to himself.
'

For

regions

Roy,

now

further
see

the

information
excellent

Bishop

"How
"

Kill

the arid

to

plains in these
Le
Mandjaro," by Father

regarding

book,

of Gabun.

often it seemed

THROUGH

498

that

me

find

no

THE

DESERT

everything had collapsedand I could

of my
out
difficulties;
yet God
way

out.
helped me, and I always found a way
It is quiteimpossiblethat after having gone so
been
far and
through so many
dangers we
should give out on this last journey. We
still
have a little water, and this place is certainly
the people would
not the Sahara, for if it were
it!"
surelyhave known
But he was
elated by the fact that
especially
scope
through the teleduring the day he had seen
indistinct outlines,as of mountains, lying

toward

the south.

To

hundred

journey of perhaps a
they only could reach

would

them

reach

mean

miles; but if

they would be
saved, for mountains
are
rarelywithout water.
How
much
time that would requirehe was
able
unthe height of
to tell,for it depended on
the

mountain.

Africa

high

nearer

by.

air

In

summits

distance

them

can

Otherwise

be
water

so

away,

transparent

so

seen

must

destruction

as

in

able
considerbe

found

threatened

them.
"It must

be done!"

The

breathingof

hard

Stasch

repeatedto

self.
him-

the

elephant,who was
tryinghis best to blow the fieryheat out of his
lungs,continuallyinterruptedthe thoughts of
the boy. But after a while it seemed
to him
if he heard a voice like some
as
one
groaning,
which sounded
from another
as
though it came
part of the camp

; in

fact,from where

the water-

THROUGH

THE

bags lay covered

the

As
to

bright that
dark

for the

up

was

the matter.

in the

499

night with

groaning continued,he
what

see

DESERT

distance

he

and

arose

The

grass.
went

night was
could

see

so

two

bodies

lying side by side and the barrels

of the guns
in the moonlight.
glistening
"The
all alike!" he thought.
are
negroes
"They should be guarding this water, which is
now
more
preciousto us than anything else in
the world, and both of them
are
sleepingas
Kali's
huts.
Ah!
soundly as if in their own
bamboo

will be of

With

some

to-morrow!"

use

these

thoughts he approached nearer

and kicked one
of the guards,but immediately
drew back horrified
for the apparently sleeping
lay on his back with a knife thrust
negro
up to the hilt in his throat, and beside him lay
the other man
with his throat so terribly
cut
that his head was
nearlysevered from his body.
Two
bags of water had disappeared three
lay in the middle of the uprooted grass slitopen
"

"

and

shriveled.

Stasch's hair stood

on

end.

CHAPTER
A

-^*-

HIS

him

cries Kali
the two

guards, and
burus
the
The

XXIV

men

then

running up,

came

who

all the Wa-himas

assembled, howling and

placewhere

to

were

the crime

greatest noise and

had

and after

relieve the
and

Sam-

roaring around
been

confusion

committed.

ensued, the

THROUGH

500

THE

DESERT

underlying keynote being

not

were

negroes

of the

having been
as
they were

men

committed

drop of
parched earth
last

themselves
of earth

on

with

water,

fear.

disturbed

much

so

of

one

account

on

murdered

The

and

crime

having lost

at

absorbed

now

their
the

by

jungle. Several threw

the ground and pulledup lumps
their fingersand sucked
out the
of

the

Others cried that wicked

remaining moisture.
spiritshad killed the guards and slitthe bags.
But

Kali

and

Stasch

how

knew

credit to

much

were
M'Kunji and M'Pua
the howling throng. More
than
of two
the murder
guards and the theft of
had taken place. The water-bags left
water
behind, having been torn, proved that it was

tales.

give to these
missing from

done

for revenge

taken

revenge

had
because
and

taken

he

had

for the whole

wicked

had

Msimu
The

Msimu.
the

cerers
sor-

king
had brought their deceptions
to light
on

revenge

permitted them
stupid Wa-himas.

not

the
hovered

death

it meant

of the
priests
the good
on

The

caravan.

the

over

to

ceiving
de-

continue

But

like

caravan

young

death

now

hawk

over

flock of doves.

Kali remembered,
he had

been

so

when

sad and

also

it was
so

too

busy

late,that

that he had

bound, as
forgotten to have the sorcerers
had done every
evening since their attempt
escape.
negroes

gone

to

It

was

guarding
with
sleep,

also

evident

the water

had

the inherent

that

the

lain down

he
to

two

and

thoughtlessness

THROUGH

502

ments

This

them

awaken

can

the

was

DESERT

THE

case

As

now.

and

excitement

was

Samburus

realized that

over

soon

as

lethargy.
the first

the Wa-himas

and the

they must
eventually
quietlyon the ground to

die, they lay down

wait for death

their

from

therefore

rebellion

no

was

to

be

if
doubtful
expected;on the contrary, it was
they would get up the followingmorning and
be willingto continue the journey.
Stasch felt deeply sorry for them.
diately
Kali returned
before daybreak, and immeplaced in front of Stasch two torn bags,
remained.
in which not a drop of water
"Great Man," he said,"Madi, apana!"
Stasch wiped his forehead, which was
ing
streamwith perspiration
from frightand worry;
he asked:

then

and

"And

M'Kunji
"M'Kunji and

M'Pua?"

M'Pua

dead," answered

are

Kali.
"You

have

"Lion
And

killed them!"

wobo

or

he

killed them?"

began

to

relate what

had

happened.

They found the corpses of the two criminals at

quitea distance from the camp, where they had
been killed. They lay side by side; both had
had

their skulls crushed

shoulders

torn, and

conjecturedthat
before
had
their

them

fallen
lives.

on

their backs

wobo

in the

the

or

behind, their
eaten.

lion had

moonlight

their faces
But

in from

and

to beseech

terrible

beast

Kali

appeared
that they
it to spare
had killed

THROUGH

DESERT

THE

503

both; then, having satisfied its appetite,

them

it scented

the

and

water

the

tore

bags

to

pieces.
"God

has

punished them,"

the Wa-himas

will

now

be convinced

can

save

no

Msimu

wicked
And

Kali

"God

has

said Stasch, "and

that

the

have

no

one."

repeated:
punished them,

but

we

water."
"Ahead

of us, far off toward

mountains.

seen

"Kali
are

There

has also

many,

must

be water

them, but

seen

to

there."
to them

get

"

days

many

the east, I have

short silence ensued.

"Sir," said Kali, "good Msimu,

to

pray

the Great

Spiritfor

rain

Bibi, should
for

or

stream

of water."
Stasch

Nell's

saw

reply,but moved
little white figure in

made

tent, for the

had

no

and

screams

awakened

her

"Stasch, what

hurrying toward
He

howls

time

some

has

He

away.

front

of the

of the negroes

before.
she

happened?"

asked,

him.

laid his hand

her littlehead

on

and

said

gravely:
"Nell,
doomed
And

pray

to
so

to

God

for water

"

we

or

are

die!"
the little girl raised

her

small, pale

face to heaven;
disk
Him
earth

all

fixingher ej^es on the silver

of the moon,
she prayed for deliverance to
who
in heaven
guides the stars, and on
tempers

the wind

to

the shorn

lamb.

THROUGH

504

THE

DESERT

sleepless,
noisy,and distracted night
denness
the sun
appeared on the horizon with the sudthat prevailsonly at the equator; at
Not a drop of dew
it was
once
bright daylight.
the grass, not a cloud in the sky.
on
the riflemen to gather the
Stasch ordered
and he addressed a few words
negroes together,
He explainedthat it was
to them.
impossible
full well
to the river,for they knew
to return
five days' or five nights'jourthat they were
ney
After

from

it.

But,

could tell whether

on

the

other hand,

they might

no

one

find water

not

in

opposite direction. In their immediate

neighborhood a spring,a tinystream, or a pool
might be found; for although no trees could
be seen, it often happens that on
plains
open
where
seeds are
blown
by hurricanes
away
fore
The day bethere is water, though no trees.
several largeantelope and
they had seen
ostriches running eastward, which was
a
sign
be a watering-place
that there must
somewhere
the

in that direction.

Therefore

one

any

not

fool

chicken-hearted, but

having a brave heart

like the lion and buffalo,would preferto march
though sufferingtortures from thirst,
on, even
rather
than to remain
lying on the ground
waiting for the hawks and hyenas to devour
At these words he pointedwith his hand
them.
hawks
to some
flyingin circles over the caravan,
the harbingersof disaster. Nearlj'^
all the Waor

himas, whom
up

when

Kali

they heard

had

ordered

to

these words;

arise,stood

being accus-

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

505

despoticrule, they did not dare to

show
the least resistance.
Many of the Samhad
burus, however, because their king Faru

tomed

to

behind

remained

at

the lake, did not

to

want

another:
get up again, and they said to one
ing
"Why should we seek death when death is seekus?"
the

Thus

one-half, broke

camp,

caused

much

the

men

twenty-fourhours
water

no

any other
this would

or

climate

reduced

now

caravan,

and

one

this exertion

even

torture

had

by nearly

and

pain.

tasted

in

liquid. Even
have

caused

For
of

drop

cooler

acute

most

to these
suffering,and what must it mean
now
laboringin this African furnace, in which,
if water
be drunk in plenty,the perspiraeven
tion
follows so rapidly that one
can
wipe it
"

off his skin

swallowed.

It

party would
and

was

palanquin,the
covered

second
roof

with

of the
tion
exhaus-

protected Nell

best he could, and

as
a

Stasch

it is

moment

same

certain that many

collapseby the way from

sun

allow her for

had

the

sunstroke.

the

from

almost

would

not

put her head out of the

of which, by the way,
he
to

piece of white percaleto

make
it a double protectionagainstthe blighting
He
used the water
still remaining in
rays.
the rubber bag to make
some
strong tea and
served

it to her without

increase thirst. The

her eyes

for him to

the bottle,in which

sugar,

because

girlpleaded with

drink, too, and

scarcelya

few

at

sweets

tears

in

last he put
thimblefuls

THROUGH

506

THE
to his

remained,

of water

DESERT

lips,and moving

throat, pretended to drink.

felt the touch

he

as

At

the

same

of moisture

his
ment,
mo-

on

his

lips,it seemed to him as though a flame were

burning in his chest and stomach, and that if
he could not extinguishit he would
drop dead.
circles began to glimmer before his eyes,
Red
terrible stinging pains shot through his jaw
thousand

as

of

so

that he

drops, but
reserved

needles.

he

only

the rest

hand

the
spilling

near

came

His

moistened

for

trembled

last

precious

his tongue

and

Nell.

sued,
sufferingand fatigue enwas
fortunatelyfollowed by a cool
next
morning the burning heat

Another

day

which

of

night. The
again beat down and not a breath of air was
tated
stirring. The sun, like a spiritof evil,devasthe parched soil with its deadly fire. The
the horizon was
a
edge of the sky down near
pale hue, and as far as the eye could reach not
bush could be seen.
even
a
Nothing only a
burned, desert plain, covered with tufts of
and
blackened
heather.
Occasionallya
grass
slightrumble of thunder was heard in the far
distance, but coming from a clear sky it was
a
sign of drought, not of rain.
"

At
became
in

when

noon,

necessary

the heat
to

gloomy silence.

down, and

number

halt.
Two

at

The

caravan

horses

of negroes

During this rest no

eating. The eyes of all were

its worst, it

was

one

had
had

rested

dropped
hind.
fallen be-

thought about

sunken, their lips

cracked, and

them

on

dried clots of blood.

were

handed

her

"I have

drunk, I have drunk!"

two

toward

ran

the

side of the camp,

mained
fearingthat if he refrom her
he would take the water
away

other

her

ask

or

507

languidlittlebird,so Stasch
rubber-bags;and crying out,

gasped like

Nell

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

share it with him.

to

Perhaps

this

thing he had done during

increased
the entire journey. His sufferings
Red
circles continually
under these tortures.
Such
terrible
a
glimmered before his eyes.
in his jaws that he could open
was
pressure
and shut them only with difficulty.
His throat
was
no
hot, there was
parched and feverishly
saliva in his mouth, and his tongue was
dry
heroic

the most

was

wood.

as

But

this

and

for him

thunder

of

drought,
when

only the beginning of

was

the

for the

continued.

About

turned

toward

sun

of the heavens, Stasch

march.

He

seventy
would

the

lie down

again.

The

but
The

and

men,

He

east.

even

motionless

then
air

it

was

humidity,and they could

animals
and

also suffered.

down, and

at

the

he

sign

went

to

and

led

scarcely
of these

one

to rise

never

down

side

caravan

now

then

of

o'clock,

its head

beside his burden

thermometer

bling
rum-

the western

had

and

now

three

ordered

placed himself

it toward

The

caravan.

the horizon,

near

the torture

few

grees,
de-

murderously hot.
filled with suffocating
breathe. The
scarcely
was

Saba's

sides heaved

not
panted laboriously;

up
a

THROUGH

508

THE

drop of froth fell from

and

black
who
not

be

hanging

DESERT

his tongue, which was

of his mouth.
King,

out

African

jungle,did
to suffer much, but stillhe began to
seem
A strange lightshone in his
troublesome.
used

was

He

tiny eyes.

the

to

dry

stillanswered

Stasch, and

cially
espe-

Nell, who

occasionallytalked to him,
Kali
with a grunt, but when
thoughtlessly
and
passed him by King snorted threateningly
that the boy
wavjsd his trunk so frantically
would
probably have been killed had he not
quicklyaside.
sprung
Kali's

throat

bloodshot, the veins of his

cracked
swollen, and his lipswere
were

eyes

were

like those of the other

Toward

negroes.

five

o'clock he

approached Stasch, and with great

his throat sufficiently
moved
to say
difficulty

in

hollow

"Great

voice

Kali

Man,

can

go

farther.

no

will stay here for the night."

Stasch
controlled
the pain in his
answered

"All

with

jaw

He

and

:
difficulty

right;let us halt.

night will bring

The

rehef."

"It will
negro.

but

bring death," whispered the

The

they

did

fever, which
now

at its

in hands

they must
and

not

lie down

had

Their

feet beat

burst.

down

The

shriveled, began

so

their blood,

hearts

and

the

heavilythat

skin
to

the burdens,

immediately,as

thickened

height.

and

threw

negroes

young

on

itch.

the
was

pulses

it seemed

their bodies, dry

In

their bones

THROUGH

510

THE

DESERT

of the zodiac spread far and wide. The

twilight
flood. An
atmosphere became a huge glittering
the landbrilliant glow spread over
scape.
even
more
The
palanquin,which they forgot to
from
remove
King's back, and the tents shone
of white

if made

as

into

deathlike

earth.

And

marble.

The

world

sank

silence; sleep enveloped the

in the

midst

of nature's

tranquil

peacefulnessStasch and his followers writhed

in pain,waitingfor death.
ground
On the silver backof the twilightthe huge form
of the
elephantstood out distinctly.The moonlight
illuminated

the tent, Stasch's

clothes, the
heather, the

and

between

spaces

dark,

cramped,

bodies of the negroes

ground. Saba sat on

and

the

his hind

Neil's white

the

bushes

and

of

distorted

baggage-strewn
legsin front of

the children and howled

sadlywith head turned

Not a thought was
left in
toward
the moon.
the soul of Stasch
nothing but dumb despair.
He felt there was
no
help,no way out, that all
their terrible fatigue and
hardships,all the
done
deeds
on
sufferingsand
courageous
tum,
to Kharthe terrible journey from
Medinet
"

"

from
to

Khartum

the unknown

and

to

lake

"

Fashoda, from
had

been

that

they could not escape

end of the struggle death.
"

the
on

dreadful

more

the

end
Nell

last stretch

lay

the

to the

to him

of the

coast,

utterlyuseless,
the inexorable
It

nor

appeared

since it would

journey

put her

at

"

Oh, he could

ocean.

Fashoda

on

never

the

all

come

whose
take

ship for

Said

Port

he could

Pole!

true

the

that he had

say

It

would

sun

it would

acted like

shine but

hack

brave

to her

and

arms

all over!

was

511

give her

never

fall into his father's

father, nor
him

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

In

hear
and

boy
few

days

lifeless bodies ; then

like the mummies
that
on

dry them up
everlastingsleep in Egyptian

sleep the

seums
mu-

brain

His

fever; he

and

heat

visions

saw

struggles,and there came

He
heard
sounds.
distinctly
and

Sudanese

Yalla!"

the

from

turning

was

death

of

him

to

and

pain

strange
of the

the voices

crying, "Yalla!
they mercilesslywhipped their

as

Bedouins

the

frightenedcamels.
The

Mahdi

smiled

and

asked:

"Will

of truth?"

He

Idris and

saw

him

at

with

drink

you

Gebhr.

his thick

of

the

lips

fountain

lion

standingon a rock gazed at

him, then Linde gave him a jar of quinineand
s?^id: "Make
haste, for the littleone is dying!"
Then
he only saw
a
pale,sweet littleface and
littlehands

two

stretched

toward

he shuddered;

Suddenly

back

came

to

for

him

"

Nell's soft, sad, pleading voice

"Stasch

She,
But

as

twelve

as

him.

moment

sciousness
con-

close to his

ear

whispered:

water!"

"

did

he had
hours

Kali, rested

given her
before, he

and

cried out

and

despair:

with

the
now

her

hope on
last drops of
controlled

him.
water

himself

voice full of emotion,

"Oh, Nell, I only pretended to drink!

pain,
For

THROUGH

512

last

the

THE

three

DESERT

days

have

tasted

not

drop!"
And
that he

holdinghis head in despair,he ran away

might not see how she suffered. Blindly
between

down

and

up

he ran,
and
exhausted
heather

bushes.

No
A

tufts of grass

the

until his

strengthwas

he

down

sank
of

weapon

kind

any

utterly
of

one

on

and

the

in his

was

largehyena
would
have found
him easy prey.
But
only
Saba
came
running up, sniffingat him and
howling, as if he, too, were
asking for help.
No
to their assistance.
one
came
Only the
hand.

leopard,lion, or

calm, indifferent
above.

from

lifeless. When

looked

moon

For

even

down
the

long time

cooler breath

blowing

from

ceased

Saba

another

and

if

pectedly
unex-

him

tried to

cool breath of wind.

howl, turned

to

wind,

the east, restored

he raised himself
his senses,
stand and go to Nell.
there blew

boy lay as

of

to

Now

them

upon

toward

the east,

expand his nostrils. Suddenly

he barked once
in a sharp bass tone and then
For
ahead.
a second
time, and ran on straight
and

began

to

time he seemed

to be

was

heard

and

staggering about

looked

silent,but

in the distance.

in the

on

his bark

soon

Stasch

stood

his benumbed

direction taken

up,

legs,

The
by Saba.
lengthy journeys, the long sojourn in the
jungle,the necessityof keeping all his senses
cessant
strung up to their highest pitch,and the indangers he had encountered had taught

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

513

that was
going
everytliing
And
about him.
so, notwithstanding the
on
and though
he suffered at the moment,
tortures
stinct
he was
only semi-conscious, he began from inof the dog. After
to note the movements

boy

the

while

and

observe

to

he looked

times

Several

restless.

very

disturbed

returned, but he seemed

Saba

up

Stasch, walked around him, ran away in the

heather
turned,
sniffingand barking, and again reat

and

taking hold of the boy's

drag him toward the opposite

last

at

clothes, he began

to

side of the camp.

had

Stasch

fullyregainedhis

now

presence

of mind.

has

no!

But
would

he

has

scent.

He

of

for

"

pullingme
this evening

near

he

be far
has

water

toward

his

and

no

kind

some

refused

to

eat.

it mean?"

can

suddenly his

And

it

is not

what

drink

dog

scented

if the water

But

scented

not

for

prey,

Then

be wet.

to

the

water

were

there

run

has

he

or

If there

"

have

thi-oat would
off he

thirst

from

mad

gone

water.

by

thought."Either

is that?" he

"What

heart

began

to beat faster

in his breast.

"Perhaps
scent

of human

there

is
one

Jesus!
A

the

negro

wind

has

beings?
villagein
"

of the kites

"

brought him the

Perhaps
perhaps
"

the distance?
merciful

haps
per-

"

Jesus !

"

faint ray

of

hope spurred him

stronger and tried

to

run

toward

on

he felt

the camp,

in

THROUGH

514

resistance

the

spite of

THE

the

barred
Nell's white

form

him

; soon

reached

DESERT

of

the

From

way.

shone

dog,

out

who
the

tinually
con-

and

her weak

camp
voice

he

stumbled

over

afterward

ground, but he took no heed

of anything. Reaching the pieceof baggage in
which the rockets were
kept, he tore it open,
it
took one
out, with trembling hands bound
to a bamboo
post, pushed it into the earth, and
lightedthe fuse.
Soon
shot up, spluttering
a red snake
noisily
boo
into the air. Stasch caught hold of the bamKali

the

lying on

rod

with

both

hands

to

prevent himself

tance.
gazed fixedlyinto the dispulses in his hands and temples
his lipsmoved
in fervent prayer.

falling,and

from

The

beat hard

and

felt that in this his last breath his heart

He

second,

Nothing
hands

and

"

fell at

ground,

for

Heaven

callingon

and

help.

third, a fourth

minute

again nothing!
his

side, his head

dreadful

was

pain

elapsed.
The
boy's

sank

to

the

filled his tortured

breast.
vain ! In vain !" he moaned.

"In
and

sit down

At

the

same

by Nell,
moment

and

we

"I shall go
shall die together."

far, far off in the

silverybackground of the moonlit night a

into the air and broke
into
fiery streak rose
golden stars, which slowly fell to the ground
like large tears.
"We

are

saved!"

cried Stasch.

THROUGH
Then
ago,

the

THE

dead

people, half
up, running

sprang
the grass

over

DESERT

and

the first rocket,

tufts

moment

fro, jumping
After

heather.

of

and

second

but

and

to

515

third

sent

were

gust of wind brought the echo of

evidently
peculiar cracking sound, very
Then

up.
a

caused

by

In

shots.

distant

reply

all the rifles fired off, and

the

each

answered

guns

mission,
inter-

and

more

dered
or-

that time

without

other

the noises became

and

from

Stasch

more

mounted
a horse, which
boy now
if by a miracle
also had
as
regained some
strength,and holdingNell before him, galloped
the sound of deliverance.
the plaintoward
over
Saba
ran
alongside,and behind him tramped
several
the huge King. The two
were
camps
kilometers
ing
hurryapart, but each party was
distinct.

The

"

"

the other, and

toward

long
be

The

one.

air, at

distance

feet away.
slightswell

while, but
himself

when

face

burning
At

flashes from

Another

seen.

of not

could

the guns

more

Then
of

ground

Stasch

several

dred
hun-

hid them

mounted

it he

for

of the line marched

two

and

ing
hold-

peans
Euro-

carrjnng

guns.

At
and

glance Stasch recognizedCaptain

Dr. Clary.
a

found

wearing English helmets

now

in the

line of negroes
in their hands.

with

lightsshone.

numerous

the

torches

than

not

was

rocket, the last, arose

to face

the head

the ride

so

Glen

THROUGH

516

THE

DESERT

CHAPTER

XXV

expeditionof Captain Glen and Dr.

not organizedto seek
was
Clary certainly
Stasch
and
Nell.
It was
a
large and wellequipped government expedition,sent out to
tain
explorethe northeast slopesof the giant mounKilima-Njaro, and also the but little
known
tain.
large tracts to the north of this mounIt is true that the Captain and the Doctor
knew
about
the kidnapping of the children
Medinet
from
el-Fayoum, for English and
had publishedaccounts
of
Arabic
newspapers
it,but they thought that both had died or else
were
languishing as prisonersof the Mahdi,
whom
from
not a singleEuropean captivehad
Clary,whose sister was
regainedhis freedom.
of Bombay, and who
married
to Rawlison
on
his tripto Cairo had been quitetaken with little
But
Nell, missed her very much.
they were
also very sorry
for the brave boy. They had
several telegrams from
Mombasa
sent
to Mr.
Rawlison
asking whether the children had been
found, and only after the last unfavorable
swer,
an-

THE

which

time

some

of the caravan,
did
hope of findingthem.

every

It

arrived

never

who

might

turn

even
were

up

after the

occurred

before

they finally
give up

to

them

kidnapped in

dren,
that the chil-

distant Khartum,

in this district. But

day'swork

parture
the de-

was

over,

in the

ings,
even-

they often

great surpriseshowed

pointed,and
groes
his face:
"Call

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

518

he said.

captain here!"

the

on

had reached him the capthe negroes

tain
appeared outside the tent ; he was about to

Before

start

antelopehunt.

an

on

"Glen, look!" cried the doctor, pointingupward.

captainraised

The

showed

liishands, and

with

head, covered

his

much

as

his eyes

surpriseas

did the doctor.

kite!" he cried.

"A

but

"Yes;
Where

"There

be

may

kites!

up

from?"

it come

can

send

don't

negroes

of white

settlement

people

"

neighborhood
"This is the third day the wind has blown
unknown
and
from the west, over
a region as
sides,
perhaps as uninhabited as is this jungle. Be-

or

mission

you

in the

that there

know

are

or

hereabouts."

missions

"Indeed, it is

very

strange and interesting."

certainlytake down the kite."

Perhaps then we shall find out where

"We

must

"Yes.

from."

it came

captain gave a short

several feet high, but

order.

The
was

settlements

no

negroes

had

reached

doctor, who

moment

the

fastened
top, carefully unit down, and handed

examined

it

quicklyand

said:

"There's writing on

tree

the

the kite, taken

it to the

in

The

it
"

let

us

look!"

THROUGH
And

THE

in order
and

began
Suddenly his

eyes

DESERT

519

better he half closed his

to

see

to

read:

face

and

changed

his

hand

trembled.

"Glen," he said, "take that; read it through,

and

convince
and

The

the
*'

Rawlison

the

After

which

the
"

and

!"

frame

attached

journey

They

themselves
of many

south
for

beg

who

Tarkowski,

and

of

from

to

read

months

they

Abyssinia.

from

sent

Fashoda

to

the

hands

of

the

the

have

They

arrived

going

are

at
to

help."

the other side of the sheet

on

were

from

transported

were

freed

lies to the

ocean.

And

Stanislaus

Nile, have

Dervishes.
lake

and

Fashoda,

to

of

the

stroke,
sun-

rightsenses

bamboo

was

following:

Khartum

the

took

had

not

still in my

am

the sheet of paper

Nell

east

that I

captain

which

I have

that

me

found

was

followingpostscript:
up

from

mentioned

in

kite, was
This, the fifty-fifth
which
finds

in Port

surrounds
it should

Said,

or

to

lake

send

Captain

not
the

Glen

sent

news

to

the

group

geography.

canal

Tahkowski.

voice had ceased

captain's
regarded each other.
silently
does

"What

soever
Who-

administration

the

friends

tains
moun-

in Mombasa."

Stanislaus

When

of

it mean?"

at

the two

last asked

Dr.

Clary.
can't

"I

believe

my

eyes!"

answered

the

captain.
"But

is there

no

mistake?"

"No."
"There

and

'Nell

it is, plainlywritten:

Stanislaus

Tarkowski.'

"

son
Rawli-

THROUGH

520

THE

DESERT
"

plain as can be
perhaps they may be in this vicinity?"
has apparently saved them."
God
it is

"There
"And
"So

be to Him!"

"All thanks

"But

in

as

cried the doctor

direction

what

shall

thusiasticall
en-

for

look

we

them?"
"Is

nothing more

there

"There

words, but

several other

were

on

to

read

the paper,

and

the branches; it is hard

by

torn

part

the kite?"

on

them."
leaned

Both

their heads

over

they able
only after a lengthy examination were
to spell:
has long since passed."
"The rainy season
"That

the

in this way
best he could."

"You

up such
that is the

been

sent

"If
very

right.

are

far off

This

the doctor.

reckoningof time."
tried to give the date

has lost his

boy

"And
as

asked

that mean?"

does

"What

he

So

this kite

have

long while ago."

very

case,

not

can

thev

then

be

not

can

by this time."

feverish, abrupt conversation

lasted

they both began to inspect

the document
again and to consider every word
written
it. But
it all seemed
on
so
able,
improbthat had it not come
from
a
place where
not even
one
more
European could be found
little longer;then

"

than
nearest

would

six hundred
coast

have

"

distant

kilometers

the

been

doctor

inclined

and
to

from

the

think

the

captain
it

joke

THROUGH

THE

DESERT

or
played by European
in the
after having read
the kidnapping. Still it

not

in

kite

being scarcelyblurred

hard

was

could

paper
from

for the
a

ask

tried

kites?

and

they been

had

Dervishes?

able

Where

miracle had

no

To

country?

By

to

ing
death durwhat

By

become

had

the savages

the

questionsthey

of

prey

killed

not

could

find

answers.

"I can't understand

it!" repeatedDr.
of

them

sent

they hiding?

not

all these

little

the

months?

many

his

from

escape

starved

they not

journey of
had
miracle
they
wild beasts?
Why

unknown
to

were

this

them?

an

it

joined the
been obliged
the boy not

the Dervishes
in

the

obtained

had
Why
Abyssinia with

the east of the Nile

what

have

for assistance.
to

How

procured

have

not

to
escape
companion ? Why had
to

understand.

have

would

would

so

them

things

many

they had

If

they

caravan,

caravan,

to

children

the

for

for

Notwithstanding, there were

about
it that
they could not
Where

about

newspapers

they had the

and
the
inscription,
tinct.
at all, was
quite dis-

hands,

their

children

mission

their eyes;

believe

to

521

God's

it.

Clary.
working."

"It would

"It

surelyis a

so!" answered

seem

Then

he added:

"But

there's

be his work!"

I can't understand

fine

boy

for

the

you!

miracle

captain.
This

must

THROUGH

522

"And

did

he

lurch.

"

could

DESERT

leave

not

the

yes,

even

have

not

httle

and

bless his head

God

"Stanley
was,

THE

one

in the

his heart."

Stanley placed as he
kept up over three days."
"

they are stillahve!"

"But they beg for help. What's
past is past.
We
must
departimmediately."
And
so
they set out. On the way the two
friends continuallyre-examined
the document,
trustingthat they might find directions on it
in going to the children's assistance.
to guide them
"And

But

no

such

directions

found.

were

The

in a zigzagpath,hopcaptainled the caravan

ing
of them
the rehe might find some
trace
mains
of some
campfire or a tree with marks
In this way
cut into the bark.
they traveled
for several days, when
on
unfortunatelythey
found themselves
treeless plain,covered
on
a
"

with tall heather

travelers

two

How
a

easy,

and

were

they thought, was

it to miss

these vast

and
prairies

largecaravan

much
as

tufts of dried grass.

The
much
alarmed.
now
very

easier it

on

miss

to

was

they supposed, were

Another

day passed.

inside them

notes

tied to bushes,
the
and

felt

night were

the doctor

hope

of

which

nor

from

like two

Neither

they

cans

left behind

avail.

time to time

findingthe children
no
quite sure
they were
ever

where
some-

littleworms.

the tin

the watch-fires
of any

how

children,who,

two

creeping along

in the tall heather

even

burning
The

with
them
ing
dur-

captain
began to lose
; indeed, they
longer alive.

THROUGH

DESERT

THE

Nevertheless, they continued

for

several

Glen

sent

gently
searching dili-

At

days.

523

last the

scouts

reconnoiter

brought
that in front of them
news
lay an absolutely
arid desert; so when
they accidentallycame
in a hollow
of the ground they
water
across
were
obliged to halt to make provisionfor the
coming journey.
several feet deep and very
hollow
The
was
At its bottom
hot spring bubbled
narrow.
a
whom

out

boiled, for it

and

The

gas.

to

saturated

was

cooled

when

water

There

and

wholesome.

the

spring that thirty men

were

unable

more

water

proved to

be

much

water

was

so

of

their

good
in

caravan

empty it. On the contrary, the

they dipped out the higher it

here

come

carbonic

to

spurted forth.
"Perhaps in time,"
will

with

to

said Dr.

be cured

Clary,"invalids

by

this water,

but

present the steep side of the cliff renders

at

inaccessible

that

to

even

the

animals.

children

Can

found

have

it

it be possible
similar

spring?"
"I don't know.

Perhaps

there

are

these in this part of the country.

children

will

surely

die

of

more

like

If not, the

thirst."

The

eral
night approached. They lighted sevfires,but no boma was
erected, for they

could

find

no

materials

with

which

to

build

it.
After
down

on

the doctor

and

the

captainsat
lightedtheir pipes,and
camp-stools,

supper

THROUGH

524

THE

began to converse
most
heavilyon

of

ten

subjectthat weighed

their hearts.

occurred

"It had

send

the

on

the least trace!"

"Not

DESERT

to

Clary began.

me," answered
the coast

people to

our

statingthat

from

news

been

received.

send

it,for the messengers

have

given

out

reached

had

But

the

on

"And

most

and

way,

doctor

removed

gram,
tele-

even

likely
if they

good

would

"

hopes
their grief

increase

The

would

"

that I did not

their destination,what

it do to raise false

with

the children had

glad

am

Glen, "to

"

"

his white

helmet

and

"Listen," said
wiped his perspiringforehead.
he. "Suppose we
to that lake,
to return
were
and

have

niches

cut

in the bark

of the trees

and

dren
large fires burning by night! Perhaps the chilwould
these signs."
see
would
in the neighborhood we
"If they are
not

if

need to take

these

far

away
fires.

they

would

are

hide

be level; in

to

ridges and
we

the

to retrace

were

our

find them, and

ground
This plateau only appears
realityit is covered with
the

like the

waves

to

means

rise in the

Besides, if

ocean.

steps

we

would

lose all

hope of findinga vestige of them."

have lost all hope?"
"Speak plainly. You
"My friend, we are grown,
enced
strong, experi-

just imagine what

men;

of

us

if

ourselves, even
no

had

we

or
provisions

if

been

would

stranded

have
here

supplied with water, had

men!"

come
be-

by
we

DESERT

THE

THROUGH

526

"Forward!"

captain'sorders
throughout the camp.
The

and

in

heard

once

Zanzibar

The

Torches

their feet.

to

sprang

at

were

negroes

lighted,

were

signalsGlen
rapid succession

the distant

answer

to

rockets

sent

in

up

dered
or-

and

shots to be fired.
In

less than
was

camp

to

distance

There

theirs.

that

quarter of

an

the entire

hour

its way.

on

From

heard shots

were

was

responding
for

was
European caravan
reason
asking for help.

some

unknown

but

doubt

longer any

no

some

captain and the doctor ran as fast as

they possiblycould, alternatelyhoping and
they find the children or not ?
fearing. Would
The
doctor said to himself that if they did not
find them
they could at least search for their
The

bodies in the dreadful

Half
which

of those

one

had

they distinctlyheard
A

horses.

few

objectin

"Hold
At

front

the torches

the

horse to

same
a

"Water!
"The

minutes

the top of

on

white

later

spoken shut
friends.
But they

they

the two

that

hour

an

heather-fields.

moment

off the view

now

were

the

from
near

so

tramping

of

rider peared
aphillock ; he held a large

and

more

of him

on

the saddle.

Glen.
high!" commanded
the rider brought his

standstill within the circle of

Water!"

children!" cried Dr.

"Water!"

ridges of

repeatedStasch.

Clary.

lights.

THROUGH

the

captain and

saddle.

The

ground

Xell

threw

he almost

And

DESERT

THE

he

then

into the

of

arms

of the
out
sprang
he staggeredto the

moment

next

527

if lifeless.

as

was
boundless,
rejoicingof the rescuers
but the credulityof the two
Englishmen was
test, as they had been unable
put to a severe
the children by themselves
to comprehend how

The

had

been

able

of land

tracts

travel

to

the deserts which

and

their present

shoda; neither

the measureless

over

separated

positionfrom the Nile and Facould they conjecturehow

"the

Pole," as they called Stasch, could have

done it,and how it was
that he appeared before

young

them

as

with

European

who

the leader of

carried

large caravan

weapons

"

with

armed

"

elephant

an

palanquin,with horses, tents, and

of provisions.At this
considerable amount
a
astoundingsightthe captain stretched out his
and over
hands, saying over
again: "Clary,
I have

great deal in my life,but never

a
boy like this," and the good doctor, equally
astonished, said:
seen

"And
"

he released
saved

and

this remark, he
children

After
were

during

were

her!"
to

ran

if

and

they had
whole

After

the tents

they

had

undressed
the

the little one

food

and
of

the

having
to

see

tivity
cap-

made

how

the

fortably.
sleepingcom-

were

and

put

from

to

dren
drink, the chilbed, and slept

following day

as

THROUGH

528

THE

DESERT

dead, and so did the

soundly as if they were
men
belongingto their caravan.
Captain Glen
tures
attempted to questionKali about their advenabout

and

Great

"The
and

to

went

put off

to

part in them, but the

merely opened

negro

young

Stasch's

Man

can

one

and

eye

swered:
an-

do

everything,"
obliged
they were

sleepagain. So
their questionsuntil

the

following

day.
Meanwhile

the

friends

two

consulted

with

called

journey back to Mombasa.

and
had already traveled farther
plored
exlarger tracts than their commission
at
for, and so they decided to return

once.

The

other

each

They

for
children

as

to the

lake had

unknown

the

captain, but

and

the

turned

desire to take

the scales.

The

present they should

summits

the

or

them

soon

as

of

the

back

to

possible

insisted that at

good rest on the cool

tains.
Kilima-Njaro Moun-

also decided

children's fathers

as

doctor

take

of the Kenia

They

welfare

the

grief-stricken fathers

their

tion
great fascina-

not

until

send

to

word

they reached

mountains, and then tell them

to

to

come

to

the

basa.
Mom-

well rested
day, after they were
and had bathed several times, they started on
their return
obliged
journey. Now
they were
On

to

part from

one

with
for

the third

Kali.

that it would
them
even

to

in

Stasch

the little

convinced

be selfish for her to take

the ocean,

or

England

Kali

even

as

would

far

as

be

him

Egypt,
nothing

"'Water!
"

'The

Water

1"

repeated Stasch."

children !' cried

Dr.

Clarv."
-Page

526.

THROUGH
than

more

THE

DESERT

servant, while if he

529
to

were

rule

people he could, as king, spread the

the savage
Christian religionand ameliorate
and not only civilize
of the Wa-himas,
customs
them, but make them good. He also expressed
similar sentiments to Kali.
Many tears were
to
ashamed
shed at parting. Stasch was
not
for had not he and Nell been through
weep,
much
with
happiness and misery in common
Kali?
And
not
only had they both learned
to appreciatehis kind heart, but they had also
The young
lay
grown
negro
very fond of him.
Kubwa
a
long time at the feet of his Bwana
and of the "good Msimu."
He
turned back
his

over

twice to look at them, but at last the moment

of

parting had

come,

going
It
the

was

the two

of the two

Stasch, who
did not

caravans

arated,
sep-

opposite directions.

only after they were

adventures

told.

in

and

his

that

deeds

way

littletravelers

used to be

sound

under

fond

so

that
were

of boasting,

praisesat all now,

for he had accomplished so many
things and
that he had developed
through so much
gone
to recognizethat facts speak louder
sufficiently
words

than

"

own

alone, even

when

told

modestly as possible,speak for themselves.

Daily,during the hot "white hours," and evenings
as

in the

which

the

bivouac, the
children

the eyes of the

had

events

suffered

captainand

pictures.In

and

this way

adventures

passed before

the doctor like

they saw

them

ing
movcar-

off

ried

terrible

Medinet-el-Fayoum, and the

journey on camels through the desert

earth

on

and
and

"

was

designing Mahdi.
he had repliedto the
wanted
him to change

friends

the two

and

arose

hell

the

the latter

when

which

Omdurman,

told how

Stasch

DESERT

from

Khartum

"

THE

THROUGH

530

When
Mahdi
his

ligion,
re-

of them

each

grasped Stasch's right hand firmly.

Then
the captain said:
"The
is not livingnow!"
Mahdi
Mahdi
"The
not
living nowl"
repeated
Stasch, surprised.

in

turn

true," the doctor

"That's

suffocated

was

speaking,he
long

"Hal"
meet

"But

own

has taken

Stasch.

command."

"When

death in Fashoda

he sent

he had

him

overtake

after

or,

ensued.

pause

would

And

died of

said

our

death

fat,

properly
fatty degenerationof the

Abdullah^

heart, and
A

in his

"He

continued.

us

to

idea that

no

first."

while he added:

Abdullah

is

even

cruel than

more

the

Mahdi."

"And

that has led to the present revolts and

the captain,"and
the
slaughter," answered
whole
Mahdi

erected

"And

what

Abdullah's

was

given

will

to the

Dervishes

battle, nearly annihilated

Mahdi

to the

ground.

to fall

ten

by

the

or

fatal stroke

The

Kitchener, who,

thera, and

later."

captain.

longer.

years

Lord

sooner

the

then?"

happen

answered

reign lasted

which

government

is bound

"England,"
'

of

structure

razed

the

in

tomb

bloody
of

the

THROUGH

532

children.

to

Come

It read:

Aden.

children

"The

boy

are

safe in

hands.

our

The

hero!"

They made

halt of two

children

The

Stasch.

Dr.

of the health

account

on

weeks

Kilima-Njaro,for

of

summits
this

and addressed
explicit

more

was

of the

news

Mombasa."

to

second

DESERT

boy, have good

to the

"Thanks

The

THE

the cool

on

Clary urged

of Nell

adored

this

and

of

sky-high

which

kind
of
possessed every
climate imaginable. Its two
peaks, Kibo and
Mawenzi, were
usuallyclothed in thick mists
during the day, but when the mists suddenly
lifted on clear evenings the everlasting
snows

mountain,

the summit

on

glow,

reflected from

of the world

rest
"

of

of Mawenzi

was

the mountain

God.

At

this

folded

shone

with

the sunset, while

rosy

all the

ness
alreadywrapped in darkresembled
a
shiningaltar
sciously
sight the children uncon-

their hands

in prayer.

days of worry, anxiety,and

trouble were
had a journey of
over.
They now
before reachingMombasa,
and the road
a month
lay through the beautiful but unhealthy Tawet
For

forest.

Stasch

the

How

much

well-known

over

easier

roads

well-equippedcaravan
in

an

Kali

unknown

and

Mea.

it now

was

with
than

wilderness

to

numerous

wander

to

travel
and

around

accompanied by
Besides, Captain Glen now

THROUGH

DESERT

THE

533

charge of the journey. Stasch recovered

and went hunting. Having found a chisel and

took

hammer

the tools of the

among

he set

caravan,

during the cool hours to chisel on a

large gneiss rock the following inscription:
is not lost yet!"for he wished to leave
"Poland
at least a trace of their sojourn in this country.
scriptio
he translated the inThe Englishmen, to whom
were
surprisedthat the boy had not
ing
name
by carvthought of perpetuatinghis own
it on a rock in Africa.
But he preferredthe
work

to

he had

sentiments

continued

He

her

such

it.

on

protect Nell, and this

to

unlimited

confidence

Clary asked

her whether

an

Dr.

when

chiseled

afraid of the storms

on

the Red

in him
she

Glen

said

soft eyes on
him
will know
what to do !"

and

truer
was

that

one

beautiful

more

the

to

no

little

one

could

that
not

Sea, the girl

rested her beautiful

"Stasch

was

gave

have

proof of what
or
given him

and

plied,
re-

Captain
given a
Stasch

higher

praise.
Although
kowski

the firsttelegram sent to Mr.

at Port

Said

it produced such

was

very

Tar-

worded,
carefully

great effect

on

Nell's father

nearlydied of joy,and Mr. Tarkowski,

unusually demonstrative
although an
man,
knelt down
to pray and besought God
that this
news
sult
might not be another false clue or the reof a diseased imaginationbrought about
by their own
longing and their grief. For had
that he

534

THROUGH

THE

both done

they not

everythingtryingto

if their children
Rawlison
Mr.

had

led

Tarkowski,
far

DESERT

still alive?

were

to

caravans

dressed

tain
ascer-

as

the
an

Mr.

Sudan,

and

Arab,

had

Khartum,

dangering
thereby greatlyenhis life. Nothing had been of any
avail. Those who might have given them some
had died from
news
smallpox or from hunger
had been killed in the bloody fightsthat were
or
continuallybeing waged, and there seemed no
of the children than if they had
trace
more
and disappeared. At last
fallen into the water
both fathers gave up all hope and only lived on
remembrances, firmlyconvinced that there was
nothing in life for them, and that death alone

gone

would

as

as

reunite

them

to

their loved

ones,

who

this great joy

everythingto them. When
to them it was
almost more
than
suddenly came
panied
accomthey could bear; nevertheless, it was
by uncertaintyand surprise. Neither
of them
could comprehend how
and in what

were

manner

the

news

of the children had

come

from

Momthis part of Africa ; that is to say, from basa.

Mr.
Tarkowski
imagined that an Arab
the eastern
coast
advancing from
after having been in the interior hunting for
ivory, had reached the Nile and had either
caravan,

bought their
words

the

freedom

or

had stolen them.

The

telegram,"thanks to the boy,"

they accounted for in the following manner:
ten
They conjecturedthat Stasch must have writto the captainand the doctor and told them
of

THROUGH
where

he and

were

Nell

that this

hopes, and
to

made, and

way

impossibleto

was

Tarkowski

only good news,

otherwise the captain

not

dared

have

to

arouse

not

have

Mombasa.

to

preparationsfor the journey were

The
the

there

But

besides, they would

come

535

not

was

for

but very good news,

and the doctor would
told them

it

found.

the other hand, Mr.

On

explain.
clearlysaw

their

to be

were

things which

many

DESERT

THE

soon

the second

day after receiving

telegramsboth engineers,with Nell's governess,
boarded
sula
a
large steamer of the Peninand Orient Company, which was
its
on
at Aden,
to India, and stopped en
route
on

and

Mombasa,

Zanzibar.

Aden

In

them, which

telegram awaited
safe in

second

read: "The

dren
chil-

The

boy a hero!"
After he had read it Mr. Rawlison, nearlybeside
himself, continually
repeatedas he grasped
are

Mr.

our

Tarkowski's

"You

see
"

him

"

hand:

he

and

care.

saved

her

"

owe

her life to

Tarkowski

Mr.

repressedhis
not to appear
so
as
weak, compressed
feelings,
his lips,and answered:
"Yes, the boy has been
brave," and enteringhis cabin,he wept for joy.
At
threw
Mr.

his

last the moment

themselves
Rawlison

arms,

and

his

took

boy pressed to
Their

into the

Mr.

calamities

when

came

of their fathers.

arms

regained treasure

had

in

in

held his heroic

Tarkowski

his heart

the children

passed by

long embrace.
as

hurricanes

THROUGH

536

and

storms

DESERT

THE

the desert.

over

pass

Life

was

once

sunlight and happiness,

ing
increastheir longing and
separation even
the children
their present rejoicing. But
were
greatlysurprisedthat their fathers'
hair had become
quite white during the separation.
filled with

more

boat of

They returned to Suez on a French

the MessageriesMaritimes, which was
with

Mauritius, and

on

board

who

had

and

Dervishes

that there

news

taken

been

escaped

bar.
Zanzi-

and

Madagascar,

from

the

When

the islands of Reunion,

from

passengers

crowded

children

were

captiveby

had

become

the

known,

generalcuriosity
But the happy quartet preand admiration.
ferred
to shut themselves
up in the largecabin,
which the captain had given up to them, and
relatingtheir adventures.
pass the cool hours
like a littlebird,
Nell also took part, chattering
of everybody she
and to the great amusement
Stasch

made

was

commenced

every

to

"And,
and

Stasch

us

Khartum

on

and

not

like this:

carried

Gebhr

us

beat

off

me

"

in

"

worked,

were

we

they

and

"

ing
Rest-

raisingher lovely

somewhat

And

camels

"and."

arrived
and we
protectedme
and there people died of hunger

"

Stasch

would

dear!

papa,

led

and

with

him, she talked

and

and

of

sentence

her father's knees

on

eyes

the center

with

so

as

the

to

get dates for

Mahdi

change his religion

"

"

and

and

me

"

"

Stasch

the Mahdi

THROUGH
sent

lion and

all

and

"

and

"

dear

papa,

DESERT

and

"

then

lived in

we

and

"

the fever
wobo

and

"

"Cracow"

Fashoda

to

us

THE

King
Stasch

cured

largetree

me

us

and

"

called
I had

and he killed

"

conquered the Samburus

he was
always very

"

killed

Stasch

with

was

537

and

"

"

good

to

me

She

also

Linde

and

of Kali, Mea,

spoke

his mountain, and

of the

just previousto meeting

up

doctor.

the

Mr.

King, Saba,

the

captain and

could

Rawlison

kite sent

culty
diffi-

with

his tears during this chatter,

suppress
closelyto his heart ; and
pressedhis child more
Mr.

Tarkowski

that

he

could

that had

seen

energy

so

been

for the

even

readily be
abilityand

boy the little one would

hopelesslylost,not only once, but
of

pride

himself, for

it could

talk

it not

with

overcome

control

not

this childish

from

been

was

have

the

many

times.
Stasch
while

and

exact

an

gave

of
telling

the

account

of

everything,

journey from

Fashoda

the waterfall, a great load fell from his chest,

for when
he told how
he had shot Gebhr
and

to

his followers, he

stopped

his father

Mr.

at

but

"

thought a while, and

"Listen, Stasch!
but if any
the life of your
one,

of

woman

one

then
One

placed

looked

Tarkowski

uneasily
frowned,

said

gravely:
kill any
ought never

threaten

mother

shoot

and

or

country, or
sister,or the life
your

in your
then
care,
without
him, and

questionabl
un-

any

THROUGH

538

of conscience

qualms

DESERT

and

"

arrivingat Port Said

went
to England, where

On
Nell

feel any

never

Mr.

Rawlison

they took

Stasch's father sent him

residence.
in

THE

to

morse."
re-

and
their

up

school

tures
Alexandria, for there his deeds and advennot

were

wrote

each

to

well known.

so

other

almost

The

every

children

day, but

it

they did not see each other for

After
the boy had completed his
ten years.
studies in Egypt he attended the Polytechnic
in
School
ZUrich, and
on
receiving his
land.
diploma engaged in tunnel work in Switzerso

happened

It

ten

was

that

later,when

years

Mr.

Tarkowski

retired,that they both visited their friends in

England. Mr. Rawlison invited them to spend
the entire

Nell

Court.
and
like

peace
too

at his house

Hampton
had passed her eighteenthbirthday,
blooming
grown
up a lovelygirl,

summer

had

and

rose;

Stasch

of mind, that
to think

young

thought

found,

man

Nell

hands

his eyes would

him.
carry

day

one
on

Mr.

the young

into his eyes

and

"Stasch, tell

the

In

fact,he

beautiful

lead him

and

running
and

off

his feet

Rawlison, laying both his

man's
shoulders, looked

said
me.

of his

twenty-fouris not

that he felt like

wherever

But

at the cost

of the ladies.

continuallyof

so

well-beloved

would

of

near

Is there

any

one

in the

THROUGH

540

THE

doing well, that

over

he ruled

DESERT
under

English
territorysouth of

the whole

tection
pro-

dolf
Ru-

Lake, and that he had invited missionaries

to

come

among

into his land

the savage

to

preach Christianity

natives.

After

completingthis final long journey the

couple returned to Europe, and taking
young
Stasch's father with them, they made
their
permanent

PAINTED

residence

BY

BENZIOER

in Poland.

BROTHERS,

KEW

YORK

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