In a few minutes the whole company reached the caravan. Several of the riders sprang off the horses and camels; others remained in their saddles continually shouting. But all that could be understood were two words: “Khartum! Gordon! Gordon! Khartum!”
One of the Bedouins, whom his companion called Abu Anga, at last rushed up to Idris, who was crouching at Stasch’s feet, and cried:
“Khartum has fallen! Gordon is dead! The Mahdi is triumphant!”
Idris stood up, but did not believe his ears.
“And these people?” he asked, his lips trembling.
“These people were supposed to capture us, but now they are going to accompany us to the prophet.”
Everything grew dark before Stasch’s eyes.
CHAPTER XIII
The last hope of escaping during the journey had entirely disappeared. Stasch knew that nothin
