You had been the companion of his son, and when the latter made up his mind to come and fight here your master gave you your freedom, so that you might fight by his son's side.

You might say that I have not yet settled under whose banner I shall fight.
All I wish is to be in the front of the battle, when we meet the infidels.

That will be quite sufficient.

There are men here from almost every village in the Soudan, and no one will care much where his neighbours come from.
"Mention that we intend to fight as matchlock men, not on horseback, as the animals are greatly fatigued from their long journey, and will require rest for some time; and, being so far from home, I fear that we might lose them if we went into the fight with them; and in that case might have to journey on foot, for a long time, before we could get others.
"I don't at all suppose that it will be necessary for you to say all this.

People will be too much occupied with their own affairs to care much about others; still, it is well not to hesitate, if questioned." Talk and laughter in the great camp ceased now, and it was not until the sun lost its power that it again began.