CHAP. IV.] 
I SHAME MY MEN,\ 
147 
a forced march arrive at Ellyria, and get through 
the pass, before they should communicate with the 
chief. I had no doubt that, by paying black mail, 
I should be able to clear Ellyria, provided I was in 
advance of the Turks, but should they outmarch me 
there would be no hope; a fight and defeat would 
be the climax. I accordingly gave orders for an 
immediate start. “ Load the camels, my brothers ! ” 
I exclaimed, to the sullen ruffians around me; but 
not a man stirred except Richarn and a fellow named 
Sali, who began to show signs of improvement. Seeing 
that the men intended to disobey, I immediately 
set to work myself loading the animals, requesting 
my men not to trouble themselves, and begging them 
to lie down and smoke their pipes while I did the 
work. A few rose from the ground ashamed, and 
assisted to load the camels, while the others declared 
the impossibility of camels travelling by the road we 
were about to take, as the Turks had informed them 
that not even the donkeys could march through the 
thick jungles between Belignan and Ellyria. 
“ All right, my brothers ! ” I replied; “ then well 
march as far as the donkeys can go, and leave both 
them and the baggage on the road when they can go 
no farther; but I go fomvard ” 
With sullen discontent the men began to strap on 
L 2 
