of my companions.
Just to explain my position, I will tell you a circumstance which
happened soon after I came here. The Governor invited me to a party of
pleasure. The party consisted of himself, his daughters, some officers,
and others. We were to go in boats to a favourite island resort,
several miles off. I took one of my slaves with me, a lad that I kept
about my person. As we were going along, this lad fell into the river.
He could not swim, and the tide was carrying him fast away to death.
Dressed as I was, in full uniform, I plunged in after him and saved him.
The wish alone to save the boy's life prompted me to risk my own. And
for this I became the jest of the party; even the ladies tittered at my
folly. Next evening the Governor had a large dinner-party. I was
there. Having caught cold, I coughed slightly; this drew attention to
me. Remarks were made, and the Governor alluded in scoffing terms to my
exploit, which created much mirth. `Were you drunk?' said one. `Had
you lost your senses, to risk your life for a brute of a negro?' said
another. `Rather than spoil my uniform, I would have knocked him on the
head with a pole,' said a third; and it was a long time before what they
termed my folly was forgotten or forgiven. You think I am worse than
others. I am not; but I do not condescend to their hypocrisy. What I
am now, I have been made by this country and its associates." [These
words are not fictitious. The remarks of Senhor Gamba were actually
spoken by a Portuguese slave-owner, and will be found in _The Story of
the Universities' Mission to Central Africa_, pages 64-5-6.]

Senhor Gamba said this with the air of one who thinks that he has
nearly, if not quite, justified himself. "I am no worse than others,"
is an excuse for evil conduct, not altogether unknown in more highly
favoured lands, and is often followed by the illogical conclusion,
"therefore I am not to blame," but although Harold felt pity for his
agreeable chance acquaintance, he could not admit that this explanation
excused him, nor could he get over the shock which his feelings had
sustained; it was, therefore, with comparatively little regret that he
bade him adieu on the following morning, and pursued his onward way.

Everywhere along the Shire they met with a more or less hospitable
reception from the natives, who regarded them with great favour, in
consequence of their belonging to the same nation which had sent forth