THE CROWNING VICTORY 361 I will write an order, Mr. Hilliard, to release at once the men you have brought in; then I will ask you to ride with these emirs to a point where there will be no fear of their falling in with our cavalry.”

“ You are a generous enemy,” Khatim said, “ and we thank you. We give in our allegiance to the Egyptian government, and henceforth regard ourselves as its servants.”

See, Mr. Jlilliard, that the party takes sufficient food with it for their journey to El Obeid.”

Colonel Wingate stepped forward and shook hands with the two emirs.

“ You are no longer enemies,” he said, and I know that henceforth I shall be able to rely upon your loyalty.”

We are beaten,” Jhatim said, as they walked away, each leading his horse. You can fight like men, and we who thought ourselves brave have been driven before you like dust before the wind. And now when you are masters you can forgive as we should never have done, you can treat us as friends; you do not even take our arms, and we can ride into El Obeid with our heads high.”

“ It will be good for the Soudan,” Abu said. Your father told me often how peace and prosperity would return were you ever to become our masters, and I felt that his words were true. Two hours ago I regretted that Allah had not let me die, so that I should not have lived to see our people conquered; now I am glad. I believe all that he said, and that the Soudan will some day become again a happy country.”

Khatims men were separated from the rest of the prisoners. Six days’ supply of grain from the stores found in the camp were handed over to them, together with ten camels with water-skins, and they started at once on their long march. Gregory rode out for a couple of miles with them and then took leave of the two emirs.

“ Come to El Obeid,” Khatim said, and you shall be treated as a king. Farewell! and may Allah preserve you! ”