INTRODUCTION 5

were lying awaiting a favourable opportunity to be brought down, he possessing a thousand cantars (cwts.). The owners of the gum were afraid to bring

it to the Egyptian frontier, believing that the Govern-

ment would confiscate it. Hogal was of opinion that if I accompanied him, we should be able to induce the people to organize a series of caravans for the trans-

port of the gum, he and I signing contracts to buy

it on arrival at Wadi Haifa, and guaranteeing the owners against confiscation by the Government. Letters and messages, he said, would be of no avail ; the people would believe they were traps set for them by the Government, and it was out of the question for us to attempt to take with us the large amount of money required to purchase the gum on the spot.

I being looked upon as an Englishman, and an

Englishman's word being then considered as good as his bond, Hogal was sure of a successful journey ; so it was finally agreed that Hogal and I should make up a small caravan, and get away as early as possible. At this time, February, 1887, the loyal sheikh, Saleh

Bey Wad Salem, of the Kabbabish tribe, was holding his own against the Mahdists, and had succeeded in keeping open the caravan routes of the Western Soudan.

Hogal and I came to Cairo to make various busi-

ness arrangements, and while here I called upon General Stephenson and Colonel Ardagh, and asked permission to proceed. They tried to persuade me to abandon what appeared to them a very risky expedition ; but, telling them that I was bent upon