Only thenarrow canal protected this part of the city perimeter, and althoughGeneral Gordon's men were deepening and wide I would prefer to walk back to Khartoum on my own barefeet. The movement attracted the gazeof every man on the veranda. Only once she was alone did Rebecca allow her grief toburst out.
When the rocketdisplay fizzled out, and silence settled on the city, Osman led hisfirst battalion down to the riverbank, where the twenty boats weremoored. It never failed to amaze him that suchtreasures were displayed in so humble a setting. With the Mahdi you obey him in all things withevery semblance of pleasure and joy. Rebecca handedAmber to Nazeera and jumped to her feet.