"Watcher-by-Night, the night is done," he said. "If they come at all,
the enemy should soon be here."
Saluting, he too passed away into the dark, and presently I heard the
sounds of spear-blades striking together and of rifles being cocked.
I went to Stephen and woke him. He sat up yawning, muttered something
about greenhouses; then remembering, said:
"Are those Arabs coming? We are in for a fight at last. Jolly, old
fellow, isn't it?"
"You are a jolly old fool!" I answered inconsequently; and marched off
in a rage.
My mind was uneasy about this inexperienced young man. If anything
should happen to him, what should I say to his father? Well, in that
event, it was probable that something would happen to me too. Very
possibly we should both be dead in an hour. Certainly I had no
intention of allowing myself to be taken alive by those slaving
devils. Hassan's remarks about fires and ant-heaps and the sun were
too vividly impressed upon my memory.
In another five minutes everybody was up, though it required kicks to
rouse most of the bearers from their slumbers.
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