side of the valley was bounded by a . high range of
mountains, rising to six or seven thousand feet above
the general level of Latooka, while the extreme end
was almost blocked by a noble but isolated mountain
of about 5,000 feet.
Our path being at the foot of the Lafeet chain, the
ground was sandy but firm, being composed of disintegrated
portions of the granite rocks that had washed
down from the mountains, and we rode quickly along
a natural road, equal to the best highway in England.
We. soon overtook Ibrahim and his party, and recounted
the affair of mutiny.
The long string of porters now closed together as
we were approaching a rebel town of Latooka that
was hostile to both Turks and others. Suddenly one
of the native porters threw down his load and bolted
over the open ground towards the village at full speed.
The fellow bounded along like an antelope, and was
immediately pursued by half-a-dozen Turks. “ Shoot
h im ! shoot him ! knock him over! ” was shouted from
the main body; and twenty guns were immediately
pointed at the fugitive, who distanced his pursuers as
a horse would outstrip an ox.
To save the man I gave chase on “ Filfil,” putting
myself in the line between him and the guns, to,
prevent theni from .firing. After a short course I
overtook him, but he still continued running, and
upon my closing with him he threw his spear on the
ground, but still ran. Not being able to speak his
language I made signs that he should hold the mane
of my horse, and that no one should hurt him. He a t ,
once clutched with both hands the„ horse’s mane, and:
pushed himself almost under my knee in his efforts to
keep close to me for protection. The Turks arrived
breathless, and the native appeared as terrified as a
hare at the moment it is seized by the greyhound,
¡fj Shoot bim ! ” they one and all shouted. “ Well done,
‘Hawaga’! (Sir) you caught him beautifully! We,
never could have caught him without your horse.
Pull bim o u t! we’ll shoot him as an example to the
others!” I explained that he was my man, and'
belonged to me as I had caught him, therefore I could,
not allow bim to be shot., “ Then we’ll give him 500
with the coorbatch! ” they cried. Even this generous
offer I declined, and I insisted that he should accompany
me direct to Ibrahim, into whose hands I should
myself deliver him. Accordingly, still clutching to my
horse’s mane, the captive followed, and was received
by the. main body on arrival with shouts of derision.
I told Ibrahim that he must forgive him this time,
if he promised to carry his load to the end of the;
journey. He immediately picked up his heavy burden.