to go back; we must go forward or we shall lose the Soudan, and a Mahdi
and his men will be in Cairo in ten years."

For an instant Kaid was startled. The old look of energy and purpose
leaped up into his eye; but it faded quickly again. If, as the Italian
physician more than hinted, his life hung by a thread, did it matter
whether the barbarian came to Cairo? That was the business of those who
came after. If Sharif was right, and his life was saved, there would be
time enough to set things right.

"I will not pour water on the sands to make an ocean," he answered.
"Will a ship sail on the Sahara? Bismillah, it is all a dream! Harrik
was right. But dost thou think to do with me as thou didst with Harrik?"
he sneered. "Is it in thy mind?"

David's patience broke down under the long provocation. "Know then,
Effendina," he said angrily, "that I am not thy subject, nor one beholden
to thee, nor thy slave. Upon terms well understood, I have laboured
here. I have kept my obligations, and it is thy duty to keep thy
obligations, though the hand of death were on thee. I know not what has
poisoned thy mind, and driven thee from reason and from justice. I know
that, Prince Pasha of Egypt as thou art, thou art as bound to me as any
fellah that agrees to tend my door or row my boat. Thy compact with me
is a compact with England, and it shall be kept, if thou art an honest
man. Thou mayst find thousands in Egypt who will serve thee at any
price, and bear thee in any mood. I have but one price. It is well
known to thee. I will not be the target for thy black temper. This is
not the middle ages; I am an Englishman, not a helot. The bond must be
kept; thou shalt not play fast and loose. Money must be found; the
expedition must go. But if thy purpose is now Harrik's purpose, then