294 WITH KITCHENEH IN THE SOUDAN “ ‘ I will put a bandage loosely round his arm, and bind it to his body so that he cannot move it in his sleep or on first waking. It will not be necessary for me to stay with him, as the ladies of the harem can look after him; but I must remain in the next room, so as to be ready to run in at once should they see that the wound is bleeding again. I have asked the hakims to make a soothing potion to aid him to sleep long and soundly.’

As I went up to the side of the hed Abu smiled. I bent down to him, and he said in a low voice: “ All the pain has gone. May Allah bless you !

’ I am afraid that you will feel more pain to-morrow, but I do not think it will be so bad as it was before. How, I hope you will try to go to sleep. You will be well looked after, and I shall be in the next room if you want me. The hakims will give you a soothing draught soon, and you can have cool drinks when you want them.’

“ Things went on as well as I could have wished. In four or five days the threads came away, and I loosened the tourniquet slightly and strapped up the edges of the wound, which were already showing signs of healing. For the first twenty-four hours I had remained always on watch; after that the hakims took their turns, I remaining in readiness to tighten up the tourniquet should there be any rush of blood. I did not leave the Emir’s house, but slept in a room close by that of the patient. There was now, however, no longer need for my doing so; the splendid constitution of the young Baggara had indeed from the first rendered any attendance unnecessary. There was no fever and very little local inflammation, and I was able to gladden his heart by telling him that in another fortnight he would be able to be up.

The day I was intending to leave, the Emir sent for me. He was alone.

The more I think over this matter,’ he said, ‘ the more strange it is that you should be able to do all these wonderful