262 AFRICAN WANDERINGS.

to partake of a bottle of wine, and I revealed to hilii that it would be the greatest pleasure to me to accompany him on this journey of discovery, that we were sure to find much gold (as I knew from my books), and requested him that he would beg of the Pascha that we two brothers might accompany him, even though it should be at our own expense ; he undertook the task with great willingness, and also saw that it was all proper that we, whom the Pascha called his two eyes, should not make such request ourselves, as it would look as if we were no longer desirous of being near him. Next morning we got the great man's decision.

I might go ; select a boat for myself, but nothing more ; my brother, on the contrary, must remain with him. My request to him, that my brother might also go was refused ; as he pointed out the great mortality in the camp, and also the care of his own person, which he would not confide to the Italian Hakim, Dr. Bellotti.

This determination of the Pascha placed us two brothers, who desired to live, fight, and die together, in the most painful dilemma. The thoughts of a separation, when dangers Avere each day increasing, in the centre of Africa, where we had already mutually nursed each other during repeated attacks of fever, and each found, during such, the other so necessary, was insufferable ; nor was this bettered by the short time allowed us to come to any resolution, as the departure of Soliman Kaschef wag fixed for the next day but one. Only late on the last evening did I acquaint the Pascha with our determination, and that I would avail myself of his permission to join the expedition as a traveller.

For long he gazed in silence at me, as if he feared that I, who bore his dangerous secret about me, might purpose to journey, instead of up, down the Nile, to receive the reward for betraying him.

However, when I recommended my brother to him, and begged him not to let him from under his eye, this hostage seemed to him sufficient bail for my honesty ; for he broke his gloomy silence, and recovered his usual friendly manner, though sadder than common, and sent for Soliman Kaschef. He specially requested me to keep acareful journal, which hcAvould have translated into Turkish; and recommended me to cling firmly to Soliman Kaschef, to whom he was immediately about to commend mc. " Ocfta ainak " (open