290 WITH KITCHENEK IN THE SOUDAH “I really was desperately nervous, though at the same time I did feel that having seen the operation performed two or three times, and as it was a simple one, I ought to be able to do it. Of course I had everything laid handy. The tourniquet was first put on the arm and screwed tightly. Then I administered the chloroform, which took its effect speedily. My nerves were braced up now, and I do think I made a fair job of it—finding and tying up the arteries, cutting and sawing the bone off, and making a flap; a few stitches to keep this together and it was done, and to my relief the Arab, who had lain as rigid as a statue, winced a little when the last stitch was put in. This was the point on which I had been most anxious. I was not sure whether the amount of chloroform he had inhaled might not have been too strong for him.

“ ‘ Do not try to move,’ I said, as he opened his eyes and looked round, as if trying to remember where he was. As his eyes fell upon me he said, When are you going to begin ?

’ “ ‘ I have finished,’ I said, but you must lie quiet for some time; the slightest movement now might cause the flow of blood to burst out.’

'The Emir had stood staring at his son’s quiet face, as if amazed beyond the power of speech. Four Dervishes had held the patient’s limbs so as to prevent any accidental movement. A female slave had held a large basin of warm water, and another handed me the things I pointed to. I had begged the hakims to keep their attention fixed on what I was doing, in order that these also might see how the white doctor did such things. When his son spoke the Emir gave a gasp of relief. hie lives,’ he murmured, as if even now he could scarcely believe that this was possible, and as he put his hand upon my shoulder it trembled with emotion. Truly the ways of the white infidels are marvellous. Abu, my son, Allah has been merciful! He must have meant that you should not die, and thus have sent this man, who has seen the