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"Well, I am ready to spend it," said the youth warmly, "so long as I can
save my brother's."
"Hah!" sighed the doctor.
"That's very nicely spoken, Frank," said the professor, leaning forward
to pat the young fellow on the arm, "but it's all sentiment."
"Sentiment?"
"Yes, and we want hard, matter-of-fact stuff. Now lo... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"Acting in the slower and surer way," replied the doctor firmly. "This
can only be done with coolness. We know that Hal is a prisoner out
yonder, and we must apply to Government to get him free."
"Humph!" ejaculated the professor.
"Hah!" cried Frank. "You don't agree with this, Landon?"
"Of course not. Bob Morris ... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"Humph!" grunted the professor, shaking his head at the doctor, who
shook his in turn.
"You talk too much, Frank, lad," said the latter, in an injured tone.
"Do be cool, and think a little. I'm sure you would see then that you
are wrong. What we want in this is calm matter-of-fact planning."
"No, we don't," said Fra... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"Can't be," said the professor, smiling grimly. "Moisture's too scarce
when you're away from the Nile. You may be gritty with it."
"Never mind about that," said Frank. "I know one or two things about
the people, and I know this--there is one man who is always welcome
among them and their sufferers from fever and ey... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"Well, of course I could," said the doctor thoughtfully. "I should say
that with antiseptic treatment one's cures would seem almost marvellous
to the poor wretches."
"Of course they would. I doctored scores myself when I was out there,"
said the professor. "Now, look here; I mean to go out there, of course,
and I s... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"Not much chance for bathing out there when we were away from the Nile,
eh?"
"Well, having a sand-bath; and then they'd see that the rest of your
skin was white."
"Oh, no, they wouldn't," cried Frank. "I should do as that amateur did
who wanted to play Othello properly--black myself all over."
The professor took off ... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"Very well, I'll say something," replied the doctor: "I don't know."
"Yes, you do. You know it's impossible."
"No," said the doctor thoughtfully; "I know it would be very hard, but
seeing what a stubborn, determined fellow Frank is, I should not be
surprised if he succeeded."
"Hurrah!" cried Frank. "There, Landon."
... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"H'm, yes, you might," said the professor thoughtfully. "You could both
of you astonish them pretty well, and all that would keep up your
character."
"But of course it's all impossible, isn't it?" said Frank, smiling.
"H'm! I don't quite know," said the professor slowly.
"Look here," said the doctor rising, to seat ... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"I shall get myself up perfectly. You may depend upon that," said the
lad confidently, "and all through the voyage out Morris will coach me up
about bandaging and helping him in ambulance work, so that I may get to
be a bit clever as his assistant."
"Yes, yes, yes, that's all right," said the professor impatiently.
"... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
CHAPTER FOUR.
THE NEW RECRUIT.
For a few moments the picture was at its best, actors and spectator
looking as rigid as if carved in wood or stone.
Then all was over, the doctor dropping the stick and scrambling up;
Frank putting the tongs into the fender, Sam stooping to pick up the
letter from the carpet, and the pro... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"Ah! That requires a little consideration, Samuel. I'll go into that
with you by and by."
"Very good, sir. But I should like to ask one question."
"Certainly, Samuel," said the doctor gravely; "what is it?"
"Only this, sir. When do we start?"
"When do we start?" said the doctor, staring. "My good man, I did not
p... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"Look here, Sam, you can shave, I know," said Frank, "for you've shaved
me several times."
"Well, sir," said the man, with a queer cock of the eye, "I've soaped
and lathered your chin, and I've run a razor over your face, but I don't
think I found anything to scrape off."
"I call that mean," cried Frank; "just when I ... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"Tut, tut, tut! listen to me," said the professor. "Do you know what
the desert is like?"
"Can't say I know much about it, sir, only what I read in Mungo Park's
travels. Deal o' sand, ain't there?"
"Yes," said the professor, "there is a deal of sand there, and no
houses, no butlers' pantries, no kitchens."
"Well, si... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"Would you mind going as a slave, Sam?" asked Frank--"the Hakim's
slave?"
"Not a bit, sir, so long as Mr Hakim's going to be one of the party.
Me mind being a slave? Not I. Ain't Mr Harry one pro tempenny? I'm
willing, sir, willing for anything. I don't want no wages. I want to
go."
"And you shall go, Samuel," sa... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"Of course, sir," said Sam, with his face wrinkling with perplexity.
"I'll hold him in anything you like. I won't say a word to a soul. I
won't know anything, and I hope Mr Hakim will be as satisfied with me
as master has always been."
"And you think I have always been satisfied with you, Samuel?" said the
doctor, s... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
CHAPTER FIVE.
SHEIKH IBRAHIM.
Time works wonders, they say; so does money in able and experienced
hands.
The professor's were experienced hands, and he had ample funds at his
disposition. The result of his inquiries that morning was that he found
he could by starting the next night catch the mail which would bear him... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"Pretty well," said Frank; "crawling at a foot's pace when one wants to
fly."
"That's it; just as fast as a camel will walk."
Those hours of preparation passed more quickly to Frank than any that he
could recall during his busy young life, and over and over again he
despaired of the party being ready in time, so that ... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"Thankye, sir. Don't seem to have had a chance to speak to you in all
this rumble tumble sort of look-sharp-or-you'll-be-left-behind time."
"No, we haven't seen much of one another, Sam."
"We ain't, sir, and I don't know as I've wanted to talk much, for it's
took all my time to think and make out whether it's all tru... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"Oh, yes. Wait a few hours longer," said Frank, "and then you'll see."
Sam came to him the next night when they were settled in the European
hotel, where the professor was welcomed as an old friend.
"I've put out all you'll want, sir," said the man. "Is there anything
else I can do?"
"No, Sam; I'm just going to bed ... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
The man asked no more questions, but made the best of his way to his own
room.
"Come down and out into the grounds, my lad," said the professor. "The
doctor's sitting in the garden having his cigar."
"I was just going to bed."
"Yes, but come with me for an hour first. I've an old friend waiting to
see me, and I thou... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"Oh, yes, I've come again. Frank, this is Sheikh Ibrahim, of the Dhur
Tribe. And look here, Ibrahim, this is my friend and brother, Mr Frank
Frere."
"And my master," said the Arab, with another grave and dignified
reverence, speaking too, in spite of the flowery Eastern ornamentation,
in excellent English. "His Exc... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"Ah," said the professor slowly and dubiously, as Frank listened with
his heart beating fast, while he held his quivering nether lip pressed
tightly by his teeth; "you think that would be possible, Sheikh?"
"Possible, your Excellency?" said the man, in an earnest whisper; "why
not? Am I a man to boast and say `I will... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"There are Arabs of some tribes, Excellency, who are of low breed--men
who are not of the pure blood, who would say the way was dangerous: the
men of my tribe, the Dhur, do not know that word. If they said they
would take the English learned one, they would take him. They have
their spears and their guns and swords,... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"Thy servant thought much when he was young, and all his life he has had
dealings with the wise men from the west who have come here from many
countries to see and seek out what the old people left buried in the
sands of time. He could not help, as he saw the wonders they brought to
light, and sat in the same tent wi... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"The young Excellency's words are good, and they make the eyes of his
servant dark with sorrow; but it will not be freeing his brother from
his chains if he goes as a young man would, to rashly throw away his
life. It is so easy away out there. Here there is law, and if a man
steals or raises his hand against his br... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
The professor caught the old Arab's hand, and Frank snatched impulsively
at the other, the thin, nervous fingers closing tightly upon the English
grip, and they stood in silence for some minutes.
"Tell him what I feel," said Frank at last. "I can't find words."
"Neither can I," said the professor, "but I must try."
"... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"Yes," said Frank eagerly, "and we will go."
The Sheikh shook his head slowly.
"No," he said, "this is no work for such as you. The task is for me and
mine. Good-night."
He turned, and seemed to fade into the darkness at once, just as the
doctor, who had been waiting impatiently upon the seat, strode up.
"Well," he ... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"And now you think better of it?" said the doctor sharply.
The Sheikh smiled.
"I have thought much of it, Excellency," he said gravely, "but the
matter was agreed upon last night. All that remained was to find out
the best way and the safest. I feel that it must be as I said; we--my
people and I--must journey throug... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"You soon shall," said the professor.
"Tell me," continued the Sheikh; "this young man--can he make cures--can
he bind up wounds and attend to an injured or dying man?"
"He has been my servant and has helped me for years," said the doctor.
"Hah!"
Then there was silence again, and Frank gazed at the deeply-lined, calm
... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"The English are a great, brave nation," he said gravely. "No wonder
they make themselves masters of the world."
"Then you are satisfied, Ibrahim?"
"No, Excellency, not yet," replied the Sheikh. "Take off those clothes
and put on those that I will get, and you are the interpreter of the
great Frankish Hakim. That i... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"One of my young men would be safer far."
"He knows the Hakim's ways, and will sponge the bullet-wounds and fetch
the water bowl."
"The Hakim's black slave should do all that, Excellency."
"I'm afraid you are right," said the professor; "but I want to take him
if we can. Come, he is a capital cook."
"A learned Hakim ... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"Of course you can see him," said the doctor. "He will be in my room."
"Let's go, then, at once," said the professor. "I say, Ibrahim, there
need be no disguise about him. He is a Frank, and the Hakim's slave."
"Yes, that will do, Excellency," said the Sheikh. "The Hakim's skill as
a learned man and curer of the p... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"Don't talk so much, Sam," said Frank impatiently. "We want you to
shave this Arab gentleman carefully and well."
"Well, ain't I trying my best, Master Frank? Look at that, and look at
that, and that. Razor cuts beautifully."
As he spoke he scraped off with long sweeps the white, soapy foam, which
came away darkene... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"That will do, Samuel. Go and have your breakfast."
But Frank did not follow, for he was eager to hear what the Sheikh would
say as soon as they were alone.
Little was said, though, the old Arab being anxious to go and rejoin his
followers staying in the village half a mile outside the town, promising
to be back duri... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
CHAPTER SEVEN.
BY MOONLIGHT.
The people at the hotel were too much occupied with their own affairs to
pay much heed to three ordinary visitors and their servant. It was
rumoured that one of them was a famous Egyptologist, but plenty of
scientists came and went in this city of change, so that in a few hours
Frank's an... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"All night?" said the doctor.
"Yes, all night, and in good time in the morning we shall have reached
the tents of the Sheikh, where we shall have an early meal and sleep.
When we shall go on depends upon the preparations there. These will be
extremely simple, but they will be sufficient. Make your minds easy,
and th... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"So the guv'nor's been telling me, sir; but he says we're to leave
nearly everything behind."
"Yes, Sam; it will be safe enough here."
"Well, it caps me, sir, that it do! Mr Landon took pretty well
everything away that I thought we wanted, and now he says that we're to
leave the miserable little lot he chose himself.... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
In another minute they were in an open court, where, looking mysterious
and strange, were a group of about a dozen camels and their leaders, in
front of whom stood the figure of the Sheikh, his white robes and turban
looking thoroughly in keeping with the strangely formed animals, four of
which were keeping up a pecul... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"How'm I getting on, sir?" was the reply. "Well, about as bad as a man
can. Look at me, sir; there I am. That's my shadder. I don't know
what our servants at home would say to see me going along over the sand
this how. Look at my shadder, sir; looks like a monkey a-top of a
long-legged shed."
"The shadows do look... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"Well, did that do?" said Frank, listening to the man, for the remarks
kept away his own troubled thoughts.
"Nearly did for me, sir. I had to claw hold like a kitten to the top of
a basket of clothes, or I should have been down in the sand, with this
wicked-looking brute dancing a hornpipe in stilts all over me. Ugh... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
Just then the professor checked his camel and tried to bring it
alongside of the pair behind, when a struggle ensued, the quaint-looking
creature refusing to obey the rein or to alter its position in the
train, whining, groaning, and appealing against force being used to
place it where it made up its mind there must b... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"Oh, that's the peculiarity of the creature's pace. I'm used to it, and
I find the elasticity most enjoyable."
"Elastic, sir? Yes, that's just it, sir; elastic. A bit back he was
going on like an Indy-rubber ball; one o' that sort, sir, as is all wind
and skin. Made me wish he was one, and that I'd got a pin in my... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"No, no. I mean that wild cry."
"Only a jackal. I daresay if you listen you will hear another answer
it. Pleasant note, isn't it?"
"Horrible! It sounded like some poor creature in pain."
"Hungry, perhaps," said the professor coolly. "Fine, wild, weird
prospect, this, eh?"
"It seems very dream-like and strange."
"... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"I'll do my best," said Frank; "but it seems to me that I have already
bound _myself_ down to profound obedience in all things by undertaking
to go as a slave."
"Well, yes, that does bind you, certainly," said the professor.
"But what about these men that the Sheikh is taking with us? They will
be in the secret."
"Of... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"Go to him, then," said Frank quietly.
"No; you go first. But there's nothing like making a beginning at
once."
"In what way?" asked Frank, for his companion paused.
"Begin treating him as what he is to be till our task is done--the
learned Hakim; and begin to school yourself into acting as his slave."
"Now?"
"Why no... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"Yes; I have perfect faith in him now."
"So have I. He's a fine old fellow; there is no doubt about that. But
Frank, my lad, I don't think I could have kept this up much longer if
you had gone on with that dumb-motion business. It only wanted that to
give me the horrors, for this night ride seems to be about the mo... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"You have made more of a man of me," said Frank softly; "often and often
when I have felt that I was only an ignorant, blundering boy."
"I never saw much of the ignorance or blundering," said the doctor
quietly. "You were always too enthusiastic over your studies for that."
"Never mind about my qualities," said Frank... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"My dear Frank!"
"And make believe to extract bullets and sew up wounds, or set broken
bones?"
"My good lad, are you talking in your sleep? Did I ever do anything but
my very best for the poor creatures to whom my poor skill was
necessary--did I ever give less attention to the humblest patient than I
do to the wealth... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"Isn't it my turn now for a chat?" said the professor. "You two seem to
be having a most interesting discussion, and it's very dull back here.
The Sheikh is fast asleep on his camel, and poor Sam has become
speechless with misery, in spite of all I could say to him about
mastering the art of camel-riding. He says he... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"That's right," said the professor, joining them, for Frank had set Sam
the example and was lying flat on the soft sand. "I've just been
telling the Hakim to do so. Don't sit down to rest out here; lie flat
whenever you get a chance. It does wonders. Are you thirsty, Frank?"
"Oh no," was the reply.
"That comes of ... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
But the man's reply was only a gurgling, camel-like snore.
"Sound enough," said the professor; and he was stepping towards him, but
Frank interposed.
"I'll wake him," he said. "The poor fellow feels fagged and
low-spirited. We must not be hard upon him. He hasn't our motive to
spur him on."
"No," said the professor... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
"Ever so much," said Frank. "Come, be a man. How do you spell
`pluck'?"
"I dunno, sir," whined the poor fellow. "I suppose it would be with a
very small `p'."
"Try and spell it with a big capital, Sam. Come, don't let the doctor
feel ashamed of you."
"But I don't seem to mind anything now, sir."
"Yes, you do, Sam.... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 | |
For the next half hour Frank forgot his weariness, the want of sleep,
and his anxieties in the grandeur of the scene around, as the glories of
the day expanded till the sun rose well above the horizon, sending the
shadows of the camels long and strange over the yielding sand. Then
hour after hour the monotony increas... | In the Mahdi's Grasp | Fenn, George Manville | 1831 | 1909 | ['en'] | 14 | {'Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-1885) -- Juvenile fiction', 'Egypt -- Juvenile fiction', 'Boys -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG24926 |
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