We shall have to run home." He put his hand to his
head and brought it away covered with blood.
"Old man, you're cut rather badly," said Torpenhow. "I owe you something for
this business. Thanks. Stand up! I say, you can't be ill here."
Throughout the night, when the troops were encamped by the whale-boats, a black
figure danced in the strong moonlight on the sand-bar and shouted that Khartoum
the accursed one was dead,--was dead,--was dead,--that two steamers were rock-
staked on the Nile outside the city, and that of all their crews there remained
not one; and Khartoum was dead,--was dead,--was dead! But Torpenhow took no
heed. He was watching Dick, who called aloud to the restless Nile for Maisie,--
and again Maisie! "Behold a phenomenon," said Torpenhow, rearranging the
blanket. "Here is a man, presumably human, who mentions the name of one woman
only. And I've seen a good deal of delirium, too.--Dick, here's some fizzy
drink."
"Thank you, Maisie," said Dick.
CHAPTER III
So he thinks he shall take to the sea again
For one more cruise with his buccaneers,
To singe the beard of the King of Spain, And capture another Dean of Jaen
And sell him in Algiers.
--Dutch Picture.
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