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 last hope seemed gone.

No expedition had ever been more carefully planned; everything had been well arranged to insure success.

My transport animals were in good condition, their saddles and pads had been made under my own inspection, my arms, ammunition, and supplies were abundant, and I was ready to march at five minutes' notice to any part of Africa; but the expedition, so costly and so carefully organized, was completely ruined by the very people whom I had engaged to protect it.

They had not only deserted, but they had conspired to murder.

There was no law in these wild regions but brute force; human life was of no value; murder was a pastime, as the murderer could escape all punishment.