In Darkest Africa, Vol. 2; or, The Quest, Rescue, and Retreat of Emin, Governor of EquatoriaStanley, Henry M. (Henry Morton)
History
In Darkest Africa, Vol. 2; or, The Quest, Rescue, and Retreat of Emin, Governor of Equatoria
Stanley, Henry M. (Henry Morton)
Africa, Central -- Description and travel; Emin Pasha, 1840-1892
“If you will conform to a few simple conditions, I will do my best to
bring your wife to her senses, but it is necessary you should meet me at
the Pasha’s house to-morrow morning and apologise to him for your
shocking violence to-night. Now, don’t interrupt me,” I said; “you have
been urged to this rude behaviour by your friends, Dr. Vita Hassan,
Bassili Effendi, and others to make a scene. Go to your house quietly,
and beware you utter no more words to-night. To-morrow morning we shall
meet again.”
This evening a mail has arrived from Wadelai, and the letters announce
the utmost disorder and the most extraordinary confusion at that
station.
_April 4th_.--At 8 A.M. I proceeded to the Pasha’s house and informed
him that I desired to call Mohammed to his presence. He consented, and
the man made a most submissive apology, though his angry features belied
his professions of penitence. He was then told to state to the Pasha
before me upon what conditions he was willing to let the woman continue
as nurse. He said he wished his wife to attend on Ferida until she was
put to sleep, from the first hour of the morning, that was all, to which
the Pasha expressed himself agreeable.
“On the following conditions only, Mohammed, do I agree:--
“1st. Your wife shall attend on Ferida during the daytime.
“2nd. Your wife shall return to your house after sunset.
“3rd. Your wife is not to be beaten or bruised.
“4th. Your wife’s personal property shall remain with the Pasha.
“5th. You shall assist, protect, and watch over your wife while on the
march, and allow her on reaching camp to serve Ferida.
“6th. You shall not trouble your wife and distract her with your demands
during the day--except in case of your illness.
“7th. The Pasha, in consideration of your wife’s service, shall feed and
clothe her, and see that she is carried on the march.”
Both the Pasha and Mohammed agreed.
The woman was then called, and the Pasha translated word for word the
above conditions. As she heard them she swept the white muslin from her
face, and in the absence of any superior attraction she appeared to me
to possess considerable beauty, with splendid large black eyes--a
distinctively fine Cairene face. The hut was filled with perfume from
her spotless white muslin robe. Under this overdress, she wore a scarlet
dress. In the wilds of Africa I never met anything approaching her.
After the conditions had been translated, she interjected a vigorous
“Never, never, no, never!” coupled with a free abuse of Mohammed, who
stood looking ridiculously angry and jealous. He appealed to me to
listen to her.
“Take her to you, Mohammed.”
The man gave the order to her to proceed to his house, which order she
contemptuously disregarded.
“She must go to your house now,” I said.
Again Mohammed extended his hand towards her, which she angrily pushed
aside. “Never, never, no, never!” she cried fiercely, with flashes of
anger from her beautiful gazelle eyes.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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