The hour was anxious; but the Legion passed the river in safety, just a little south of the twentieth degree, near the Third Cataract.

Bohannan's gloomy forebodings proved groundless.
The Red Sea and Arabia were now close at hand.

Tension increased.
Rrisa thrilled with a malicious joy.

He went to the door of the captive Sheik, and in flowery Arabic informed him the hour of reckoning was at last drawing very near.
"Thou carrion!" he exclaimed.

"Soon shalt thou be in the hands of the Faithful.