A short halt had been called, and a cup of water handed to each.
"Can I speak to you, Colonel Cochrane ?" asked the dragoman.
"No, you can't," snapped the Colonel.
"But it is very important--all our safety may come from it." The Colonel frowned and pulled at his moustache.
"Well, what is it ?" he asked at last.
"You must trust to me, for it is as much to me as to you to get back to Egypt.

My wife and home, and children, are on one part, and a slave for life upon the other.

You have no cause to doubt it." "Well, go on!" "You know the black man who spoke with you--the one who had been with Hicks ?" "Yes, what of him ?" "He has been speaking with me during the night.

I have had a long talk with him.

He said that he could not very well understand you, nor you him, and so he came to me." "What did he say ?" "He said that there were eight Egyptian soldiers among the Arabs--six black and two fellaheen.