If you will all become as I have, you will certainly be carried to Khartoum in safety.

If you do not, you will never leave our next camping-place alive." The Colonel's well-curved nose took a higher tilt, and an angry flush reddened his thin cheeks.

He rode in silence for a little, for his Indian service had left him with a curried-prawn temper, which had had an extra touch of cayenne added to it by his recent experiences.

It was some minutes before he could trust himself to reply.
"We'll set that aside," said he at last.

"Some things are possible and some are not.