A white prisoner was a personage of some consequence, but the death of a Jaalin was a matter that would disturb no one.

Thousands of them had been massacred; and one, more or less, could not matter at all.

But, however much the Dervishes might hate a white infidel, it would be a serious matter for even the most powerful Emir to harm a prisoner under the protection of the harem of the Khalifa's son.
Mahmud had been very popular among them, but his position had been gravely shaken by the events of the last six months.

Having unlimited confidence in themselves; the Baggara had seen, with increasing fury, the unopposed advance of the Egyptians.

They could not understand why they should not have been allowed, after the capture of Metemmeh, to march across the desert to Merawi, and annihilate the infidels assembled there.