The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

266 The Highland Monthly.
I lived among".st them there nearly three years. Willing to
gain their confidence, in order some day thereby to obtain
my freedom, so that I might seek out, confront, and punish
the man who had attempted to destro\' me, I made myself
useful to them in many wa\'s. I (jften accompanied them
in their expeditions against the hostile tribes in the province
between Berber and Suakim. Towards the end of my
third year of captivity, a rumour, apparently well founded,
reached us that the British had completely evacuated
Suakim, and it was at once decideci to march on Suakim
and capture it. I accompanied the expedition as usual, and
we went forward until within two days' march of that town ;
our scouts brought in the intelligence that evening that the
friendlies, that is those tribes friendly to Britain, were
encamped there that night, and in the morning we pushed
forward, deploying, as we went, in battle order. By noon
we discovered the enemy, and to all appearance they were
prepared to withstand our further progress. I was, as usual*
on foot, but I took particular care to keep as near as I could
to one of the chiefs who rode on a beautiful Arab. I had
a plan made up, which, if carried out successfully, would, I
know, make me a free man. Fortunately for my purpose,
I was on one of the flanks of the main body. The chief,
who led our section, kept well to the front until we were
about to close with our opponents. He than halted a short
distance ahead, and waving his sword, ordered his men to
charge the enemy, both armies being already engaged on
our right. They advanced at a rapid pace, though in very
loose order ; the chief, for the time being, reining in his
horse so that some of his men were soon well in advance.
I was carried on with the rush of the yelling crowd, but I
deftly managed to make my way to where the chief rode.
Once near enough to get an opportunity to place my hand
upon his horse's crupper, which was my chief aim, I felt as
if the energies of a thousand men were centered in me.
With one spring 1 vaulted up behind him, and while with
my left hand I grasped him by the throat, with my right