The prophecies had told that the infidels were about to be annihilated, and that then they would sweep down without opposition, and possess themselves of the plunder of Egypt.
Gregory passed wholly unnoticed among the crowd.

There was nothing to distinguish him from others, and the thought that an Egyptian spy, still less one of the infidels, should venture into their camp had never occurred to one of that multitude.

Occasionally, he sat down near a group of the Baggara, listening to their talk.

They were impatient, too, but they were convinced that all was for the best; and that, when it was the will of Allah, they would destroy their enemy.

Still, there were expressions of impatience that Mahmud was not allowed to advance.
"We know," one said, "that it is at Kirkeban that the last great destruction of the infidel is to take place, and that these madmen are coming to their fate; still, we might move down and destroy those at Dongola and along the river, and possess ourselves of their arms and stores.