"Sir," he said, "I do not seek filthy lucre.

What I mean is that I am afraid you will be killed by these Pongo, and, alas! although I love you, sir, I am too great a coward to come and be killed with you, for God made me like that.

I pray you not to go, Mr.Quatermain, because I repeat, I love you, sir." "I believe you do, my good fellow," I answered, "and I also am afraid of being killed, who only seem to be brave because I must.

However, I hope we shall come through all right.

Meanwhile, I am going to give this box and all the gold in it, of which there is a great deal, into your charge, Sammy, trusting to you, if anything happens to us, to get it safe back to Durban if you can." "Oh! Mr.Quatermain," he exclaimed, "I am indeed honoured, especially as you know that once I was in jail for--embezzlement--with extenuating circumstances, Mr.Quatermain.I tell you that although I am a coward, I will die before anyone gets his fingers into that box." "I am sure that you will, Sammy my boy," I said.