with you in anyway. Transact your business, and
don’t interfere with me : the country is wide enough
for us both. I have a task before me, to reach a'great
lake—the head of the Nile.. Beach it I will (In-
shallah). No power shall drive me back. If you
are hostile, I will imprison you in Khartoum ; if you
assist me, I will reward you far beyond any reward
you have ever received. Should 1 be killed in this
country, yoti will be suspected; you know the result;
the Government would hang you on the bare suspicion.
On the contrary, if you are friendly, I will use my
influence in any country that I discover, that you
may procure its ivory for the sake of your master
Koorshid, who was generous to Captains Speke and
Grant, and kind to me. Should you be hostile, I
shall hold your master responsible as your employer.
Should you assist me, I will befriend you both.
Choose your course frankly, like a man—friend or
enemy ? ”
Before he had time to reply, Mrs. Baker addressed
him much in the same strain, telling him that he
did not know what Englishmen were; that nothing
would drive them back; that the British Government
watched over them wherever they might be, and that
no outrage' could be committed with impunity upon
a British subject. That I would not deceive him in
any way ; that I was not a trader ; and that I should
be able to assist him materially by discovering new
countries rich in ivory, and that he would benefit
himself personally by civil conduct.
He seemed confused, and wavered. I immediately
promised him a new double-barrelled gun and some
gold, when my party should arrive, as an earnest of
the future.
He replied, “ That he did not himself wish to be
hostile, but that all the trading parties, without one
exception, were against me, and that the men were
convinced that I was a consul in disguise, who would
report to the authorities at Khartoum all the proceedings
of the traders.” He continued, “ That he
believed me, but that his men would n o t; that, all
people told lies in their country, therefore no one was
credited for the truth. However,” said he, “ do not
associate with my people, or they may insult you, but
go and take possession of that large tree (pointing to
one in the valley of Ellyria) for yourself and people,
and I will come there and speak with you. I will now
join my men, as I do not wish them to know that
I have been conversing with you.” He then made.
a salaam, mounted his donkey, and rode off.
I had won him. I knew the Arab character so
thoroughly that I was convinced that the tree he