146 THE WORLD'S WONDERS. 



accompany them back to Latooka, as the chief had requested. 

 There was a party of Turks also in Gondokoro, who were going 

 to the Latooka country, and these declared that Baker should 

 not follow. Adda despised the Turks, but was compelled to 

 labor in their service, carrying ivory, his tribe being too poorly 

 equipped to contend with them. Though he would have been 

 glad to treat Baker as a friend, the open hostility displayed by 

 these Turks caused him to remain neutral. Notwithstanding the 

 threats repeated by the Turks, Baker resolved to follow with his 

 small force of seventeen men. 



On the route between Gondokoro and Latooka there was a 

 powerful tribe among the mountains of Ellyria. The chief of 

 that tribe (Legge) had formerly massacred one hundred and 

 twenty men of a traders' party. He was an ally of Koorshid, 

 whom the Turks declared would raise an army against Baker to 

 defeat and destroy him. It would only be necessary for the 

 traders to request the chief of Ellyria to attack his party to 

 insure its destruction, as the plunder of the baggage would be an 

 ample reward. Baker, however, had great faith in presents. 

 The venality of Arabs is proverbial, and having many valuable 

 effects with him, he trusted that when the proper moment should 

 arrive, he would be able to overcome all opposition by an open 

 hand. 



A MOMENTOUS HOUR. 



THE day arrived for the departure of Koorshid' s people. 

 They commenced firing their usual signals ; the drums beat ; the 

 Turkish ensign led the way ; and they marched at two o'clock, 

 p. M., sending a polite message, "daring" the Englishman to 

 follow them. 



Baker immediately ordered the tent to be struck, the luggage 

 fo be arranged, the animals to be collected, and everything to be 

 ready for the march. Richarn and Saat were in high spirits, 

 even Baker's unwilling men were obliged to work, and by seven 

 p. M., they were all ready. The camels were too heavily loaded, 

 carrying about seven hundred pounds each. The donkeys were 

 also overloaded, but there was no help for it. Mrs. Baker was 



