During the return march Stanley had repeatedly proposed to Emin that he should enter the service of British East Africa. That company would certainly have appreciated the service of such an experienced man, but it did not altogether suit him. He would travel with Stanley to Egypt and back to England to raise the necessary funds and associates in the undertaking, but he was not altogether pleased with Stanley’s company. He had been hurt several times by the stern and regardless action of the American. Perhaps Emin was not entirely free from blame. His own irresoluteness had often induced Stanley to adopt a very firm attitude, but whatever their relations were, their continuance was no longer desired by him. It was Emin’s dearest wish to remain in German East Africa, where he had been so cordially treated, and devote his service to the fatherland. To one of his retiring nature the idea of exhibiting himself in Europe was not attractive. He certainly would have received ovations everywhere. He would have been wined and dined and honors would have been showered upon him. But what did he care for them? His nature revolted against making an exhibition of himself and of becoming a central figure in celebrations. He would rather remain in Africa with his savages and collect beetles and bird skins. His thirst for knowledge was not to be appeased. Chapter XVII Ferida’s Departure Thus it happened that Emin, hardly arisen from his bed of suffering, was again contemplating a mission to the interior of that continent out of which Stanley had but just conducted him with so much effort. But one thing troubled him—his anxiety for his child. Ferida had been kept far away from him during his illness and when she was brought back to him her joy was unbounded. “Oh papa,” she exclaimed, “now you are never going away from me again. We shall always be together.” Such appeals were hard for the father to bear after he had come to the decision to send her back to Europe. But the thousand anxieties which he had felt for the little helpless being in the wilderness were a lesson he could not for an instant forget. Now that they were at the coast, there was an opportunity to send her to her relatives in Germany without fear of danger. It would be wicked to take her with him again into a strange land. So there came a tearful leave-taking. How hard it was for the child to obey the will of her father, although her old and trusty Arab nurse was going with her. It seemed to the little one that her heart was breaking and that she was going alone into a far-distant strange country. It was a bitter task for Emin also to separate from his child. He stood upon the shore and watched the steamer until all that he could see was a little cloud of smoke on the horizon. Then he turned away and sighed heavily. He had a presentiment that he might never see her again.