I replied that my servants must accompany us, as we were quite as great personages as Kamrasi, and could not possibly travel without attendants.

To this they demurred; therefore I dropped the subject, and proposed to load the canoe with all the presents intended for Kamrasi.

There was no objection to this, and I ordered Richarn, Saat, and Ibrahim to get into the canoe to stow away the luggage as it should be handed to them, but on no account to leave the boat.

I had already prepared everything in readiness, and a bundle of rifles tied up in a large blanket and 500 rounds of ball cartridge were unconsciously received on board as PRESENTS.

I had instructed Ibrahim to accompany us as my servant, as he was better than most of the men in the event of a row; and I had given orders that, in case of a preconcerted signal being given, the whole force should swim the river, supporting themselves and guns upon bundles of papyrus rush.