Startling disclosures--The last hope seems gone--The Bari chief's advice--Hoping for the best--Ho for Central Africa! We were to start upon the following Monday.

Mahommed had paid me a visit, assuring me of his devotion, and begging me to have my baggage in marching order, as he would send me fifty porters on Monday, and we would move off in company.

At the very moment that he thus professed, he was coolly deceiving me.

He had arranged to start without me on Saturday, while he was proposing to march together on Monday.

This I did not know at the time.
One morning I had returned to the tent after having, as usual, inspected the transport animals, when I observed Mrs.Baker looking extraordinarily pale, and immediately upon my arrival she gave orders for the presence of the vakeel (headman).