’“Pisansoldierysurprisedwhilebathing。”’remarkedDick，calmly。
’D’yourememberthepicture？It’sbyMichaelAngelo；allbeginnerscopyitThatscrub’salivewithenemy。’
Thecamel-corpsonthebankyelledtotheinfantrytocometothem，andahoarseshoutingdowntherivershowedthattheremainderofthecolumnhadwindofthetroubleandwashasteningtotakeshareinitAsswiftlyasareachofstillwateriscrispedbythewind，therock-strewnridgesandscrub-toppedhillsweretroubledandalivewitharmedmen。
Mercifully，itoccurredtothesetostandfaroffforatime，toshoutandgesticulatejoyouslyOnemanevendeliveredhimselfofalongstoryThecamel-corpsdidnotfireTheywereonlytoogladofalittlebreathing-space，untilsomesortofsquarecouldbeformedThemenonthesand-bankrantotheirside；andthewhale-boats，astheytoiledupwithinshoutingdistance，werethrustintothenearestbankandemptiedofallsavethesickandafewmentoguardthemTheAraboratorceasedhisoutcries，andhisfriendshowled。
’TheylookliketheMahdi’smen，’saidTorpenhow，elbowinghimselfintothecrushofthesquare；’butwhatthousandsof’emthereare！Thetribeshereaboutaren’tagainstus，Iknow。’
’ThentheMahdi’stakenanothertown，’saidDick，’andsetalltheseyelpingdevilsfreetoshowusupLendusyourglass。’
’OurscoutsshouldhavetoldusofthisWe’vebeentrapped，’saidasubaltern’Aren’tthecamelgunsevergoingtobegin？Hurryup，youmen！’
TherewasnoneedofanyorderThemenflungthemselvespantingagainstthesidesofthesquare，fortheyhadgoodreasontoknowthatwhosowasleftoutsidewhenthefightingbeganwouldveryprobablydieinanextremelyunpleasantfashionThelittlehundred-and-fifty-poundcamel-gunspostedatonecornerofthesquareopenedtheballasthesquaremovedforwardbyitsrighttogetpossessionofaknollofrisinggroundAllhadfoughtinthismannermanytimesbefore，andtherewasnonoveltyintheentertainment；alwaysthesamehotandstiflingformation，thesmellofdustandleather，thesameboltlikerushoftheenemy，thesamepressureontheweakestside，thefewminutesofhand-to-handscuffle，andthenthesilenceofthedesert，brokenonlybytheyellsofthosewhomtheirhandfulofcavalryattemptedtopurseTheyhadbecomecarelessThecamel-gunsspokeatintervals，andthesquareslouchedforwardamidtheprotestingofthecamelsThencametheattackofthreethousandmenwhohadnotlearnedfrombooksthatitisimpossiblefortroopsincloseordertoattackagainstbreech-loadingfire。
Afewdroppingshotsheraldedtheirapproach，andafewhorsemenled，butthebulkoftheforcewasnakedhumanity，madwithrage，andarmedwiththespearandtheswordTheinstinctofthedesert，wherethereisalwaysmuchwar，toldthemthattherightflankofthesquarewastheweakest，fortheyswungclearofthefrontThecamel-gunsshelledthemastheypassedandopenedforaninstantlanesthroughtheirmidst，mostlikethosequick-closingvistasinaKentishhop-gardenseenwhenthetrainracesbyatfullspeed；andtheinfantryfire，heldtilltheopportunemoment，droppedtheminclose-packinghundredsNocivilisedtroopsintheworldcouldhaveenduredthehellthroughwhichtheycame，thelivingleapinghightoavoidthedyingwhoclutchedattheirheels，thewoundedcursingandstaggeringforward，tilltheyfell——atorrentblackastheslidingwateraboveamill-dam——fullontherightflankofthesquare。
Thenthelineofthedustytroopsandthefaintbluedesertskyoverheadwentoutinrollingsmoke，andthelittlestonesontheheatedgroundantthetinder-dryclumpsofscrubbecamemattersofsurpassinginterest，formenmeasuredtheiragonisedretreatandrecoverybythesethings，countingmechanicallyandhewingtheirwaybacktochosenpebbleandbranchTherewasnosemblanceofanyconcertedfightingForaughtthemenknew，theenemymightbeattemptingallfoursidesofthesquareatonceTheirbusinesswastodestroywhatlayinfrontofthem，tobayonetinthebackthosewhopassedoverthem，and，dying，todragdowntheslayertillhecouldbeknockedontheheadbysomeavenginggun-butt。
DickwaitedwithTorpenhowandayoungdoctortillthestressgrewunendurableItwashopelesstoattendtothewoundedtilltheattackwasrepulsed，sothethreemovedforwardgingerlytowardstheweakestsideofthesquareTherewasarushfromwithout，theshorthough-houghofthestabbingspears，andamanonahorse，followedbythirtyorfortyothers，dashedthrough，yellingandhackingTherightflankofthesquaresuckedinafterthem，andtheothersidessenthelpThewounded，whoknewthattheyhadbutafewhoursmoretolive，caughtattheenemy’sfeetandbroughtthemdown，or，staggeringintoadiscardedrifle，firedblindlyintothescufflethatragedinthecentreofthesquare。
Dickwasconsciousthatsomebodyhadcuthimviolentlyacrosshishelmet，thathehadfiredhisrevolverintoablack，foam-fleckedfacewhichforthwithceasedtobearanyresemblancetoaface，andthatTorpenhowhadgonedownunderanArabwhomhehadtriedto’collarlow，’andwasturningoverandoverwithhiscaptive，feelingfortheman’seyesThedoctorjabbedataventurewithabayonet，andahelmetlesssoldierfiredoverDick’sshoulder：theflyinggrainsofpowderstunghischeekItwastoTorpenhowthatDickturnedbyinstinct。
TherepresentativeoftheCentralSouthernSyndicatehadshakenhimselfclearofhisenemy，androse，wipinghisthumbonhistrousersTheArab，bothhandstohisforehead，screamedaloud，thensnatcheduphisspearandrushedatTorpenhow，whowaspantingundershelterofDick’srevolverDickfiredtwice，andthemandroppedlimplyHisupturnedfacelackedoneeyeThemusketry-fireredoubled，butcheersmingledwithitTherushhadfailedandtheenemywereflyingIftheheartofthesquarewereshambles，thegroundbeyondwasabutcher’sshop。
DickthrusthiswayforwardbetweenthemaddenedmenTheremnantoftheenemywereretiring，asthefew——theveryfew——Englishcavalryrodedownthelaggards。
Beyondthelinesofthedead，abroadblood-stainedArabspearcastasideintheretreatlayacrossastumpofscrub，andbeyondthisagaintheillimitabledarklevelsofthedesertThesuncaughtthesteelandturneditintoareddiscSomeonebehindhimwassaying，’Ah，getaway，youbrute！’DickraisedhisrevolverandpointedtowardsthedesertHiseyewasheldbytheredspashinthedistance，andtheclamourabouthimseemedtodiedowntoaveryfar-awaywhisper，likethewhisperofalevelseaTherewastherevolverandtheredlightandthevoiceofsomeonescaringsomethingaway，exactlyashadfallensomewherebefore，——adarknessthatstungHefiredatrandom，andthebulletwentoutacrossthedesertashemuttered，’SpoiltmyaimTherearen’tanymorecartridgesWeshallhavetorunhome。’Heputhishandtohisheadandbroughtitawaycoveredwithblood。
’Oldman，you’recutratherbadly，’saidTorpenhow’IoweyousomethingforthisbusinessThanksStandup！Isay，youcan’tbeillhere。’
Throughoutthenight，whenthetroopswereencampedbythewhale-boats，ablackfiguredancedinthestrongmoonlightonthesand-barandshoutedthatKhartoumtheaccursedonewasdead，——wasdead，——wasdead，——thattwosteamerswererock-stakedontheNileoutsidethecity，andthatofalltheircrewsthereremainednotone；andKhartoumwasdead，——wasdead，——wasdead！
ButTorpenhowtooknoheedHewaswatchingDick，whocalledaloudtotherestlessNileforMaisie，——andagainMaisie！
’Beholdaphenomenon，’saidTorpenhow，rearrangingtheblanket。
’Hereisaman，presumablyhuman，whomentionsthenameofonewomanonlyAndI’veseenagooddealofdelirium，too——Dick，here’ssomefizzydrink。’
’Thankyou，Maisie，’saidDick。
CHAPTERIII
SohethinksheshalltaketotheseaagainForonemorecruisewithhisbuccaneers，TosingethebeardoftheKingofSpain，AndcaptureanotherDeanofJaenAndsellhiminAlgiers。
ADutchPictureLongfellowTHESOUDANcampaignandDick’sbrokenheadhadbeensomemonthsendedandmended，andtheCentralSouthernSyndicatehadpaidDickacertainsumonaccountforworkdone，whichworktheywerecarefultoassurehimwasnotaltogetheruptotheirstandardDickheavedtheletterintotheNileatCairo，cashedthedraftinthesametown，andbadeawarmfarewelltoTorpenhowatthestation。
’Iamgoingtolieupforawhileandrest，’saidTorpenhow’Idon’tknowwhereIshallliveinLondon，butifGodbringsustomeet，weshallmeet。
Areyoustaryinghereontheoff-chanceofanotherrow？TherewillbenonetilltheSouthernSoudanisreoccupiedbyourtroopsMarkthat。
Good-bye；blessyou；comebackwhenyourmoney’sspent；andgivemeyouraddress。’
DickloiteredinCairo，Alexandria，Ismailia，andPortSaid，——especiallyPortSaidThereisiniquityinmanypartsoftheworld，andviceinall，buttheconcentratedessenceofalltheiniquitiesandallthevicesinallthecontinentsfindsitselfatPortSaidAndthroughtheheartofthatsand-borderedhell，wherethemirageflickersdaylongabovetheBitterLake，move，ifyouwillonlywait，mostofthemenandwomenyouhaveknowninthislifeDickestablishedhimselfinquartersmoreriotousthanrespectableHespenthiseveningsonthequay，andboardedmanyships，andsawverymanyfriends，——graciousEnglishwomenwithwhomhehadtalkednottoowiselyintheverandaofShepherd’sHotel，hurryingwarcorrespondents，skippersofthecontracttroop-shipsemployedinthecampaign，armyofficersbythescore，andothersoflessreputabletrades。
HehadchoiceofalltheracesoftheEastandWestforstudies，andtheadvantageofseeinghissubjectsundertheinfluenceofstrongexcitement，atthegaming-tables，saloons，dancing-hells，andelsewhereForrecreationtherewasthestraightvistaoftheCanal，theblazingsands，theprocessionofshipping，andthewhitehospitalswheretheEnglishsoldierslayHestrovetosetdowninblackandwhiteandcolourallthatProvidencesenthim，andwhenthatsupplywasendedsoughtaboutforfreshmaterialItwasafascinatingemployment，butitranawaywithhismoney，andhehaddrawninadvancethehundredandtwentypoundstowhichhewasentitledyearly’NowIshallhavetoworkandstarve！’
thoughthe，andwasaddressinghimselftothisnewfatewhenamysterioustelegramarrivedfromTorpenhowinEngland，whichsaid，’Comeback，quick；youhavecaughtonCome。’
Alargesmileoverspreadhisface’Sosoon！that’sagoodhearing，’
saidhetohimself’Therewillbeanorgyto-nightI’llstandorfallbymyluckFaith，it’stimeitcame！’Hedepositedhalfofhisfundsinthehandsofhiswell-knownfriendsMonsieurandMadameBinat，andorderedhimselfaZanzibardanceofthefinestMonsieurBinatwasshakingwithdrink，butMadamesmilessympathetically——
’Monsieurneedsachair，ofcourse，andofcourseMonsieurwillsketch；
Monsieuramuseshimselfstrangely。’
Binatraisedablue-whitefacefromacotintheinnerroom’I
understand，’hequavered’WeallknowMonsieurMonsieurisanartist，asIhavebeen。’Dicknodded’Intheend，’saidBinat，withgravity，’Monsieurwilldescendaliveintohell，asIhavedescended。’Andhelaughed。
’Youmustcometothedance，too，’saidDick；’Ishallwantyou。’
’Formyface？IknewitwouldbesoFormyface？MyGod！andformydegradationsotremendous！IwillnotTakehimawayHeisadevilOratleastdothou，Celeste，demandofhimmore。’TheexcellentBinatbegantokickandscream。
’AllthingsareforsaleinPortSaid，’saidMadame’IfmyhusbandcomesitwillbesomuchmoreEh，’howyoucall——’alfasovereign。’
Themoneywaspaid，andthemaddancewasheldatnightinawalledcourtyardatthebackofMadameBinat’shouseTheladyherself，infadedmauvesilkalwaysabouttoslidefromheryellowshoulders，playedthepiano，andtothetin-potmusicofaWesternwaltzthenakedZanzibarigirlsdancedfuriouslybythelightofkerosenelamps。
Binatsatuponachairandstaredwitheyesthatsawnothing，tillthewhirlofthedanceandtheclangoftherattlingpianostoleintothedrinkthattooktheplaceofbloodinhisveins，andhisfaceglistenedDicktookhimbythechinbrutallyandturnedthatfacetothelightMadameBinatlookedoverhershoulderandsmiledwithmanyteethDickleanedagainstthewallandsketchedforanhour，tillthekerosenelampsbegantosmell，andthegirlsthrewthemselvespantingonthehard-beatenground。
Thenheshuthisbookwithasnapandmovedaway，Binatpluckingfeeblyathiselbow’Showme，’hewhimpered’Itoowasonceanartist，evenI！’
Dickshowedhimtheroughsketch’AmIthat？’hescreamed’WillyoutakethatawaywithyouandshowalltheworldthatitisI，——Binat？’Hemoanedandwept。
’Monsieurhaspaidforall，’saidMadame’TothepleasureofseeingMonsieuragain。’
Thecourtyardgateshut，andDickhurriedupthesandystreettothenearestgambling-hell，wherehewaswellknown’Iftheluckholds，it’sanomen；ifIlose，Imuststayhere。’Heplacedhismoneypicturesquelyabouttheboard，hardlydaringtolookatwhathedidTheluckheld。
Threeturnsofthewheellefthimricherbytwentypounds，andhewentdowntotheshippingtomakefriendswiththecaptainofadecayedcargo-steamer，wholandedhiminLondonwithfewerpoundsinhispocketthanhecaredtothinkabout。
Athingrayfoghungoverthecity，andthestreetswereverycold；
forsummerwasinEngland。
’It’sacheerfulwilderness，andithasn’ttheknackofalteringmuch，’
Dickthought，ashetrampedfromtheDockswestward’Now，whatmustI
do？’