I would that I could let him go, also, but my oath prevents me from giving him his freedom.

I trust, however, that when the Khalifa hears of his noble action, and how he has made me his debtor, he will say that Allah himself would not blame me for that.
Gratitude is even more binding than an oath.
"Still, until I hear from him, I can do nothing.

We have not seen matters in the same light, for some time.

When I wanted to strike, he was unwilling that I should do so.

Now, when it seems to me that the time for that has passed, and that I had best retire on Omdurman, he says go forward and fight.