CHAP. I.] SAFE ME FROM MT FRIENDS. 25
ordered to make the case public to prevent a recurrence.
The Governor assured me that as I held a
firman from the Viceroy he could not do otherwise,
and that I must believe him to be my truest friend.
“ Save me from my friends,” was an adage quickly
proved. I could not procure a cook, neither any
other attendants, as every one was afraid to guarantee
a character, lest he might come in for his share of the
200 lashes!
The Governor came to my rescue, and sent immediately
the promised Turkish soldiers, who were to act
in the double capacity of escort and servants. They
were men of totally opposite characters. Hadji
Achmet was a hardy, powerful, dare-devil-looking
Turk, while Hadji Velli was the perfection of politeness,
and as gentle as a lamb. My new allies procured
me three donkeys in addition to the necessary
baggage camels, and we started from the pleasant
garden of Halleem Efiendi. on the evening of the
10th of June for the junction of the Atbara river
with the Nile.