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Updated: June 2, 2025
While he was doing this, Zaki bought food for six men, for a week; and in less than two hours from his arrival at Abu Hamed, Gregory was on board. The boat at once dropped down the river and, as the current was running strongly, they were off Hebbeh next morning, at eight o'clock. A boat put off, and took Gregory and his party ashore.
The Dervishes broke and fled; not, as usual, sullenly and reluctantly, but at full speed, stooping low to escape the storm of bullets that pursued them. Zaki had, throughout the day, kept close to Gregory, ready to hold his horse when he dismounted; but, quick-footed as he was, he was left behind when his master galloped across to Macdonald.
Gregory could have borrowed a white suit there; but as the stain on his skin, although somewhat lighter than when first put on, was too dark, he declined the offer. "No one may notice me as I land, now," he said, "but everyone would stare at a man with a brown face and white uniform." Leaving Zaki to get the horses on shore, Gregory went straight to the General's quarters.
"If I go on horseback, Zaki, I shall want someone with me who will act as a guide; and who will look after his horse and mine at some place near the river, where he can find a hiding place while I am away in the Dervish camp." "Would you take me, my lord?" Zaki said quickly. "I would much rather take you than anyone else, if you are willing to go, Zaki."
They calculated that they must have gone a good fifteen miles from the point where they turned off, and feared that they might miss the caravan track, if they went on before daybreak. As soon as the sun was up they pursued their journey, Gregory's compass being now available. In half an hour, Zaki said, "There is a sign of the track, my lord," and he pointed to the skeleton of a camel.
Zaki, when his six months' trial was over, scorned the idea of returning to the Soudan; declaring that, if Gregory would not keep him, he would rather beg in the streets than go back there. "It is all wonderful here," he said; "we poor Arabs could not dream of such things. No, Master, as long as you live, I shall stay here."
I shall speak highly of you in my letter, and recommend you to Colonel Wingate; who will, I have no doubt, give you employment. "I hope I shall see you again, before long. I am very sorry that we must part, but it is best for us both." Very reluctantly, Zaki returned to Mahmud. "My master says I must go, Emir; and I must obey his orders, though I would rather stay with him. Tonight, I will leave."
Still, as at present I am not proved to be your nephew, I thought that you might not be disposed to ask me to stay. "Now, with your permission, I will go and tell Zaki that is the man's name to bring in my portmanteau. I can then send the trap back."
I hope never to leave you, till I die." "Very well, Zaki, I am more than willing to take you. If I remain in England, you shall always be with me, if you choose to remain.
Although he knew that he should miss Zaki greatly, he was very glad that he had been sent away; for he felt that, although for the time he had been reprieved, his position was very precarious, and that his servant's would have been still more so. A white prisoner was a personage of some consequence, but the death of a Jaalin was a matter that would disturb no one.
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