sufficient price were offered. Of course I should not
think of riding on either of these unless I had to run for my life, or
until I found my brother, for they would at once attract attention. The
natives could ride on them, and I should have an ordinary camel until
the time came to use the fleet ones. I have a letter from my father
authorizing me to draw to any extent; therefore no question of money
would interfere with my carrying out the plan thoroughly."

"I do not know what your father would say to me on my return to England
should you never get back, Clinton."

"I am sure that if my father were here he would approve, sir. Of course
I shall write him a long letter explaining the whole circumstances, and
I am as sure as if he stood here that he would say that I was perfectly
right in making an effort to rescue Edgar. I should never be happy again
were I to turn my face down the river now and leave him to slavery for
life among the Arabs."

"Well, I will strain a point and let you go," Lord Wolseley said. "I
don't know whether I am right in doing so, but I cannot resist your
desire to carry out your scheme for your brother's rescue. It is a noble
attempt, Clinton, and I honour you for undertaking it. When your
preparations are complete let me see you again. Consider yourself
relieved of all duty at once."

Thanking Lord Wolseley and General Buller for their kindness Rupert left
the tent and returned to his quarters. The next morning he went the
first thing to Major Kitchener's camp and told him that the question of
his leave was settled, and that he should start as soon as the camels
were procured and an arrangement could be made with one of the sheiks.

"Very well, Clinton, I will manage that for you. I expect a sheik down
in three days who has worked faithfully with us since the beginning of
the campaign. He is the man I had in my eye; he has made journeys to
Wady Halfa and to points on the Red Sea, and will know that our promises
as to payments will be kept, and that whatever sum is agreed upon would
be handed him over at any place to which he may take you. In order to
prevent any difficulty on that score, I will, before you start, give you
letters to merchants at Wady Halfa and all the ports requesting them to
pay the sum we may agree upon, upon the presentation of my letter with
your signature attached. I put it in that way because it is possible
that you may have to make your way alone into Abyssinia, and i