When we reached her, we found that the current was too strong to regain the gunboat, and so landed about half a mile down, hoping to find shelter in the bushes until the boat came down the stream.

What I did, however, had been observed by the Dervishes; and as soon as I landed a party rode up, headed by Mahmud himself, who was aware that his favourite wife was in the boat that had sunk.
"Most fortunately, it turned out that she was the woman I had saved.
Upon her appeal Mahmud spared our lives.

He has released my man, who will carry this to you; but, having sworn that he would spare no white man, he retains me in his hands as a prisoner, until he can lay the facts before the Khalifa and obtain his permission to let me go.

I trust that all will be well, and that some day I may rejoin the army.
However, there is no saying how matters may turn out.
"I am happy in knowing that there is no one who, if the worst comes to the worst, will grieve over my loss.

I recommend my faithful servant to you.