Mr.Petherick's vakeel had just been shot dead by one of his own men, and such events were too common to create much attention.
We were utterly helpless, the whole of the people against us, and openly threatening.

For myself personally I had no anxiety; but the fact of Mrs.Baker's being with me was my greatest care.

I dared not think of her position in the event of my death among such savages as those around her.

These thoughts were shared by her; but she, knowing that I had resolved to succeed, never once hinted an advice for retreat.
Richarn was as faithful as Saat, and I accordingly confided in him my resolution to leave all my baggage in charge of a friendly chief of the Baris at Gondokoro, and to take two fast dromedaries for him and Saat, and two horses for Mrs.Baker and myself, and to make a push through the hostile tribe for three days, to arrive among friendly people at "Moir," from which place I trusted to fortune.

I arranged that the dromedaries should carry a few beads, ammunition, and the astronomical instruments.
Richarn said the idea was very mad; that the natives would do nothing for beads; that he had had great experience on the White Nile when with a former master, and that the natives would do nothing without receiving cows as payment; that it was of no use to be good to them, as they had no respect for any virtue but "force;" that we should most likely be murdered; but that if I ordered him to go, he was ready to obey.
I was delighted with Richarn's rough and frank fidelity.