The chief understood a few words of Arabic, and I offered a large payment of copper bracelets and beads for a guide.

After much discussion and bargaining a bad-looking fellow offered to guide us to Ellyria, but no farther.

This was about twenty-eight or thirty miles distant, and it was of vital importance that we should pass through that tribe before the trader's party should raise them against us.

I had great hopes of outmarching the trader's party, as they would be delayed in Belignan by ivory transactions with the chief.
At that time the Turks were engaged in business transactions with the natives; it was therefore all important that I should start immediately, and by a forced march arrive at Ellyria and get through the pass before they should communicate with the chief.

I had no doubt that by paying blackmail I should be able to clear Ellyria, provided I was in advance of the Turks; but should they outmarch me, there would be no hope; a fight and defeat would be the climax.