Page:The tragedy of the Korosko (IA tragedyofkorosko00doylrich).pdf/195

 glinting brightly out of it. Behind them the grey line had crept higher and higher, deepening into a delicate rose-pink, with the fan-like rays of the invisible sun shooting and quivering across it. Then, suddenly, they felt its warm touch upon their backs, and there were hard black shadows upon the sand in front of them. The Dervishes loosened their cloaks and proceeded to talk cheerily among themselves. The prisoners also began to thaw, and eagerly ate the doora which was served out for their breakfasts. A short halt had been called, and a cup of water handed to each.

“Can I speak to you, Colonel Cochrane?” asked the dragoman.

“No, you can’t,” snapped the Colonel.

“But it is very important—all our safety may come from it.”

The Colonel frowned and pulled at his moustache.

“Well, what is it?” he asked at last.

“You must trust to me, for it is as much to me as to you to get back to Egypt. My wife and home, and children, are on one part, and a