putting me to death, you would confer a favour on me by so doing, for
you would be doing for me that which I am precluded by my religious
convictions from doing for myself. You would relieve me from all the
troubles the future may have in store for me." "Then my power has no
terror for you, Gordon!" "None whatever," he replied. So Gordon
proved more than a match for this half-civilized Abyssinian King. His
visit, however, could not be considered successful as his Majesty was
unreasonable in all his demands, and so put out of the power of Gordon
to reach any settlement. So he left the King without effecting what
he came to do. How to get away now was to him a source of anxiety. As
he surmised, they were not likely to allow him to carry back the
valuables he had in his possession. It required all his tact and wit
and discretion in this perilous position. He, however, at the cost of
about 1,400 pounds in bribes and gifts, managed to get away. Then he
had to find his way back alone. This was a severe ordeal. Over
mountains covered with snow, and through defiles of rocky places, now
meeting with wild hordes of the dog-faced baboons, then with the
uncivilized tribes of the human species none the less dangerous. He,
however, by the care of an ever watchful Providence, had escaped
serious harm and reached Khartoum in safety."

CHAPTER VI.

"There is no death, what seems so is transition.
This life of mortal breath is but the suburb of the life Elysian,
Whose portals we call Death."--LONGFELLOW.

Gordon had felt for some time uneasy in his position, as the under
officials looked upon him as a religious fanatic, and too strict to
govern; they tried to annoy him, and they succeeded: so he sent in his
resignation to the Khedive, and as soon as he could conveniently, he
turned his face homeward.

First of course he visited the Khedive, and he received from him a
princely welcome, being addressed by him in these words: "I am glad to
see you Gordon Pasha again amongst us, and have great pleasure in once
more personally acknowledging the loyalty with which you always served my
country, and my government. I should very much like you to remain in my
service, but if you must retire from us, as you say you must, then I am
reluctantly compelled to accept your resignation. I regret, my dear
Gordon, to lose so valued a counsellor and friend,