86 
MAHOMMED'S DESERTION. 
[chap. Ill 
lowas: both. Arabs of the Nile, north of Khartoum. 
The Dongolowas had not appeared when summoned 
by the drum, and my vakeel being of their nation, 
I impressed upon him his responsibility for the mutiny, 
and that he would end his days in prison at Khartoum 
should my expedition fail. 
The boy “ Saat ” and “ Kicharn ” now assured me 
that the men had intended to fire at me, but that 
they were frightened at seeing us thus prepared, but 
that I must not expect one man of the Dongolowas 
to be any more faithful than the Jalyns. I ordered 
the vakeel to hunt up the men, and to bring me their 
guns, threatening that if they refused I would shoot 
any man that I found with one of my guns in his 
hands. 
There was no time for mild measures. I had only 
Saat (a mere child), and Kicharn, upon whom I could 
depend; and I resolved with them alone to accompany 
Mahommeds people to the interior, and to trust to good 
fortune for a chance of proceeding. 
I was feverish and ill with worry and anxiety, and 
I was lying down upon my mat, when I suddenly 
heard guns firing in all directions, drums beating, and 
the customary signs of either an arrival or departure of 
a trading party. Presently a messenger arrived from 
Koorshid Aga, the Circassian, to announce the departure 
of Mahommed's party without me ; and my vakeel 
appeared with a message from the same people, that 
“ if I followed on their road (my proposed route), they 
would fire upon me and my party, as they would allow 
no English spies in their country.” 
My vakeel must have known of this preconcerted 
arrangement. I now went to the Circassian, Koorshid, 
who had always been friendly personally. In an inter¬ 
view with him, I made him understand that nothing 
should drive me back to Khartoum, but that, as I was 
now helpless, I begged him to give me ten elephant- 
hunters ; that I would pay one-half of their wages, and 
amuse myself in hunting and exploring in any direction 
