. Our hearts leapt
with an excitement of joy only known to those who have escaped from
long-continued banishment among barbarians, once more to meet with
civilised people, and join old friends. Every minute increased this
excitement. We saw three large red flags heading a military procession,
which marched out of the camp with drums and fifes playing. I halted
and allowed them to draw near. When they did so, a very black man, named
Mahamed, in full Egyptian regimentals, with a curved sword, ordered his
regiment to halt, and threw himself into my arms, endeavouring to
hug and kiss me. Rather staggered at this unexpected manifestation of
affection, which was like a conjunction of the two hemispheres, I gave
him a squeeze in return for his hug, but raised my head above the reach
of his lips, and asked who was his master? "Petrik," was the reply. "And
where is Petherick now?" "Oh, he is coming." "How is it you have not
got English colours, then?" "The colours are Debono's." "Who is Debono?"
"The same as Petrik; but come along into my camp, and let us talk it out
there;" saying which, Mahamed ordered his regiment (a ragamuffin mixture
of Nubians, Egyptians, and slaves of all sorts, about two hundred in
number) to rightabout, and we were guided by him, whilst his men kept up
an incessant drumming and fifing, presenting arms and firing, until we
reached his huts, situated in a village kept exactly in the same order
as that of the natives. Mahamed then gave us two beds to sit upon, and
ordered his wives to advance on their knees and give us coffee, whilst
other men brought pombe, and prepared us a dinner of bread and honey and
mutton.

A large shed was cleared for Grant and myself, and all my men were
ordered to disperse, and chum in ones and twos with Mahamed's men; for
Mahamed said, now we had come there, his work was finished. "If that is
the case," I said, "tell us your orders; there must be some letters." He
said, "No, I have no letters or written orders; though I have directions
to take you to Gondokoro as soon as you come. I am Debono's Vakil,
and am glad you are come, for we are all tired of waiting for you. Our
business has been to collect ivory whilst waiting for you." I said, "How
is it Petherick has not come here to meet me? is he married?" "Yes, he
is married; and both he and his wife ride fore-and-aft on one animal at
Khartum." "Well, then, where is the tree you told Bombay you would
point out to us with Petherick