A PKISONEK 163 “ They will not kill you,” she said ; you have saved me, and they will be grateful.”

Gregory had no' faith whatever in Dervish gratitude. “ Well, Zaki,” he said, “ if you will not leave us we will strike at once for the shore. The gun-boats are nearly half a mile away now. There is just a chance that we may not have been noticed by the Dervishes, and may be able to hide in the bushes till the gun-boats return. When they see me they will at once send a boat ashore under cover of their fire, and take us off.”

There is a good chance of that, master,” Zaki said cheerfully, “ and the Dervishes are busy up there fighting, and will not think much of a little boat.”

Three or four minutes later they were in shallow water. As soon as they landed, Gregory threw himself down utterly exhausted, and the woman sank down beside him, but not before hastily rearranging her veil. In a couple of minutes Gregory roused himself.

I can climb the bank now,” he said, “ and the sooner we are hidden among the bushes the better.” But as he spoke he heard the sound of galloping horsemen, and almost immediately an Emir on a magnificent animal, followed by a dozen Dervishes, dashed up. Mahmud ! ” the woman cried as she rose to her feet, it is I, Fatma! ” Mahmud gave a cry of joy, and waved his hand to his followers, who had already pointed their rifles at Gregory.

These have saved me, my lord,” the woman went on. They jumped from their boat and reached me just as I was sinking, and have borne me up. For my sake you must spare their lives.”

Mahmud frowned. He dismounted and went up to his wife. Have I not sworn, Fatma,” he said, “ that I would slay every unbeliever who falls into my hands ? How, then, can I spare even one who has saved your life ? ” “ Others have been spared who have been of service, my lord,” she said. “ There are Greeks and Egyptians who work