In the Mahdi's Grasp Part 24

"That's just about like I am, sir, and--"

"I can't stop Sam," said Frank, interrupting him; "your master wants me again."

Frank hurried back to the doctor's side to resume his position of a.s.sistant, for he had been pretty busy making his first essays at the task which was to be his for many months to come.

For the Sheikh's son had been seen, examined, and an operation performed, one of a very simple nature, but sufficient to give instant relief; while the Hakim's instructions that the lad was to remain lying down for a month were not hard for one who had not stood up, save in acute agony, for three years.

"I am well paid for this operation, Frank, my lad," said the Hakim, when he left the lad's tent; for the old Sheikh had gone down on one knee to touch the hand extended to him.

"It is a miracle, Excellency," he said; "but tell me that he will live."

"It is no miracle, Sheikh," replied the doctor, "only the result of study and practice. Oh, yes, the boy will live and grow strong. Don't kneel to me; I am but a man like yourself, and glad to help one who has come forward so n.o.bly to help us."

The visit to the sick child was not of so happy a nature, for the Hakim took the mother's hand sadly, and the Sheikh interpreted his words, that told how hopeless was the case, and how much better for her that she should cease to suffer soon.

In another tent, though, the Hakim brought light and hope, for the failing sight, though it would soon have become hopeless, was at a stage when a slight operation and the following treatment of keeping the girl in darkness, were sufficient to ensure recovery.

The next patient was the young Arab suffering from the broken limb, and over this the Hakim's examination, after the poor fellow had limped by the help of a stick to a rough couch in one of the smaller tents, was long and careful.

"The youth is healthy and strong," the doctor said to the Sheikh and the young man's brother, "but the leg will never mend while it is like this.

There is diseased bone."

"Then the Hakim cannot cure him?" said the Sheikh sadly, and the sufferer lay watching anxiously, gazing from one to the other, longing intensely to know the meaning of the words spoken in what was, in spite of the people of his tribe being so much in touch with the English who came to Cairo, an unknown tongue.

"Oh, yes, I can certainly cure him if he is willing to bear some pain, which I will alleviate all I can, and will undertake to wait patiently afterwards until the broken bones have knit together."

"Ah, then," cried the Sheikh, "cure him. He must bear the pain."

"Ask his consent first," said the doctor.

"His?" said the Sheikh, looking wonderingly at the doctor; "he is one of my people. I give you my permission."

"Never mind that. Ask him if he is willing. Who is this?"

"His brother, Excellency."

"Ask him too."

The words were interpreted, and the anxious look on the brothers' faces gave place to one of eager hope and pleasure as they heard and replied--

"Yes, Excellency, we beg that you will do what is right, no matter what pain he suffers. He prays you to make him a man instead of the useless cripple he remains--useless to himself, a trouble to his friends."

The Hakim bowed and turned to Frank.

"You will have to help me," he said. "I will not ask you if you have the nerve. There is diseased bone, which must be removed, and he must be kept under an anaesthetic, for he could not bear the pain, and his sufferings would hinder me."

Half an hour later, by the Sheikh's orders, everyone was sent to a distance from the tent, into which the Hakim was watched with looks full of awe, as he disappeared therein, followed by Frank and the Sheikh, the brother sitting by waiting, and both looking reverently at the man whose knowledge was something tremendous in their eyes.

"Are you going to stay, Sheikh?" said the Hakim. "It would be better that you and this young man should go."

"I should like his brother to stay and see what is done, Excellency, while I--I am the father and chief of my tribe; the people look to me, and it is through me that you are going to do this thing. My people would not be contented if I did not stay."

"Very well," said the doctor quietly, and for the next half hour he was busily employed, finishing the securing of the last bandage within that time, while when the patient had fully recovered his consciousness, the calm look of content and satisfaction with which he smiled up in his surgeon's face on being told that all was done, augured well for a quick recovery.

The Hakim's reputation had been planted that day like so much seed thrown into fertile soil; and as they left the tent after the last patient had sunk into a calm sleep, Frank, who had seen the brother steal out before, now noticed how the people of the tribe were standing about waiting to see the Hakim return to his own tent, one and all eager to catch his eye and make obeisance after their fashion to this man, who seemed greater to them than any chief.

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

THE NOMAD LIFE.

It was settled that a stay of three days was to be made at the encampment, a period that seemed grievously long to Frank; but there were excellent reasons for the delay.

The Sheikh said it would take that time to make all the preparations necessary for the start; and he advocated the wisdom of the three who were not accustomed to camel-riding, going out twice each day with some of the young men, so as to grow more at ease.

On the other hand, the Hakim said that it would be absolutely necessary for him to stay that time with his patients, so as to ensure good following his operations, and this was unanswerable.

"We shall not be losing time, Excellencies," said the Sheikh, "for you must now take at once to the native dress, and a.s.sume the characters of those you are to represent."

"But your people here," said Frank quickly; "is it wise for them to know?"

The Sheikh smiled.

"Oh, yes," he said; "why not? They must know. It is to ensure the safety of you all from the wild and savage followers of the Mahdi, I have told them, and they feel that it is good. No harm can come from their knowing all this."

"Forgive me," said Frank quickly. "I feel now that my suspicions were unworthy."

"Only natural, Frank," said the professor quietly. "You do not know Ibrahim and his people as I do."

"That is my misfortune," said the young man, smiling. "I am going to know them as well."

That evening Sam came to the Hakim's tent to ask if he could do anything for his master.

He found him sitting at the tent door talking with Frank and the professor, and the three exchanged glances.

"Well, no, Samuel," said the Hakim quietly. "You are tired out with your long ride."

"Yes, sir; I ache all over, and my hands are quite shaky."

"I shall want nothing more. Go and rest yourself, and go to your bed in good time, so as to get a long night's rest."

"Thankye, sir; I'm much obliged, sir. I think that is about what I want to set me right."

Sam went back to the little tent set apart for him, and lost no time in throwing himself down upon a rug, to lie listening to the bleating of the sheep and goats, mingled with which came at times the moaning and complaining of the camels.

As soon as his back was turned the doctor had laughed softly.

"I meant to have set him to work to-night," he said, "over my head; but I don't think his touch would have been very light after his last night's work."