When you were sick
I looked after you. If I was so good to you, the `Great Master'
will be much more so. He has a pleasant voice, and speaks kind.
When did you ever see him lift his hand against an offender?
When you were wicked, he did not speak to you in anger - he spoke
to you in tones of sorrow. Now, will you promise me that you
will follow him - do what he tells you, obey him in all things,
and not desert him?"
"We will, we will, my master!" they all cried, fervently.
"Then there is one thing more. I want to shake hands with you
all before you go - and we part for ever;" and they all rushed
up at once, and a vigorous shake was interchanged with each man.
"Now, let every man take up his load!"
In a short time I marched them out into the street, and to the
beach; saw them all on board, and the canvas hoisted, and the
dhow speeding westward on her way to Bagamoyo.
I felt strange and lonely, somehow. My dark friends, who had
travelled over so many hundreds of miles, and shared so many
dangers with me, were gone, and I - was left behind.
