“That boy is Satan personified!” cried Idris, his face pale with fright and excitement.
“He would have shot us down as he would wild geese for dinner!” added Gebhr.
“Yes, if it hadn’t been for this dog!”
“God sent him!”
“And you wanted to kill him!” said Chamis.
“From now on no one shall touch him!”
“He shall always have bones and water!”
“Allah! Allah!” repeated Idris, without being able to calm down; “and death hung over us! Uf!”
They looked with hatred at Stasch, who lay before them, but they were also somewhat surprised that this small boy had so nearly caused their defeat and destruction.
“By the prophet!” said one of the Bedouins, “but we must take care that this son of Eblis does not break our necks. We owe the Mahdi a snake! What do you intend to do with him?”
“His right
