514 



THROUGH JUNGLE AND DESERT 



CHAP. 



was settled, he was told the sum he would receive 

 in addition as a present. Throughout the transac- 

 tion my watch was in my hand ; for I knew that 

 the French vessel was getting up steam, and that 

 but a short time would elapse before she would leave 

 Aden harbour, four miles away. 



When at length all was completed, and I began 

 to bid my men farewell, they one and all said, " Mas- 

 ter, we will not leave you here. We will accompany 

 you at least to the shore, and, if possible, go with 

 you to the ship." To one who is familiar with the 

 character of the Somali and the Soudanese this be- 

 haviour would appear almost incredible. It meant 

 that they would leave the pile of silver — their hard- 

 earned wages — in the hands of a man who was an 

 utter stranger to them, for the sake of a sentiment; 

 and that, contrary to their instinct (which in regard to 

 money, at least, may be expressed by the words, " Safe 

 bind ; safe find "), they were willing to jeopardize the 

 results of almost two years' labour for the sake of see- 

 ing the last of one who perhaps had treated them, as 

 far as in his power lay, with the utmost justice and 

 consideration, yet in the accomplishment of his purpose 

 had led them through dark and toilsome paths, and 

 caused them much keen suffering. 



It was six o'clock when I bade farewell to my 

 friend, Mr. Jones, and dashing downstairs leaped into 

 a carriage waiting below. At this time Aden was 

 astir, and there were several carry-alls in the streets. 

 My men piled into them, and off we set ; Mahomet 

 Aman, Karscho, and Ramazan went with me. I 

 found it really difficult to maintain my composure 



