FALSE FEIENBS. 
19 
the top of the page was a golden bit of hair, attached by a thread 
to the paper, and I knew that my Frances, of whose marriage I 
received tidings at Gondokoro, was a mother Oh, 
Mona, what anguish have we caused you ! . . . . 
It was not until the eve of the second day that all the letters 
were read, then came the reaction for Petherick : all thought that 
he w^as dying ; some one came and cut off his hair, and then they 
cupped the back of his head Is it possible that Speke 
can so have acted? It seems incredible that he should impugn 
the honour and integrity of Petherick : my heart is filled with 
bitterness. 
“ Speke, thus to treat Petherick, must surely appear to the public 
as most ungrateful conduct — he not to say a word that everything 
we had was placed at his disposal. 
^^When at Gondokoro, I felt convinced that some treachery 
was working against Petherick, so I went to Baker^s boat, and im- 
plored him (as we also purposed going in search of the unexplored 
lake, though Speke gave no directions or encouragement for Peth. 
to do so) not to offer his boats to Captain Speke, as he, Mr. Baker, 
well knew the peculiar position Petherick held, and that he was 
also aware that our boats had arrived prior to his. Mr. Baker 
replied, ^ Oh, Mrs. Petherick, it will be a positive service to me if 
he goes to Khartoum in my boats, as the men are paid in advance, 
and his will serve as escort and guard.'’ Reluctantly waiving that 
request, I tearfully entreated, ‘^At least, then, Petherick will find 
grain and stores ? ’ To this he assented, and I hastened back to tell 
Petherick (who had a touch of fever), and to give the necessary 
orders.^'’ 
In a short time everything that it was possible they could re- 
quire was packed in baskets, including wine, aracki, but no brandy 
2 — 2 
