There is little chance of our meeting the Dervishes.

Had they been in Berber, we should have heard of them before this.

If we meet them we will fight; and you, Abu, who have the fastest camel among us, will ride back here at all speed, and the General and his soldiers will come up to help us.
"Now, let us not waste a moment, but push forward.

In five hours we shall be at Berber; and throughout your lives, you will be proud to say that you were the first to enter the town that the Dervishes have so long held." A few of the men waved their guns, and shouted.

The rest looked grave.
However, they obeyed their chief's orders, and the cavalcade at once started.