One man even delivered himself of a long story.

The camel-corps did not fire.

They were only too glad of a little breathing-space, until some sort of square could be formed.

The men on the sand-bank ran to their side; and the whale-boats, as they toiled up within shouting distance, were thrust into the nearest bank and emptied of all save the sick and a few men to guard them.

The Arab orator ceased his outcries, and his friends howled.
'They look like the Mahdi's men,' said Torpenhow, elbowing himself into the crush of the square; 'but what thousands of 'em there are! The tribes hereabout aren't against us, I know.' 'Then the Mahdi's taken another town,' said Dick, 'and set all these yelping devils free to show us up.