“As you will, my son,” replied Pereira. “Your native clothing is in my room, so if you come I will give it to you now, and Isabel will pack it up for you.” We went to his room, where he produced from a locked drawer the garments that he had purchased as “curios” from Hausa merchants: a _riga_ or gown of blue-grey cotton cloth, a pair of _wondo_--immense baggy trousers--a Fez, a litham, or face-cloth, and turban of dark blue cotton, a vest, and a pair of yellow leather slippers. “Here is a knife, too,” said Pereira, bringing forth a long clumsy dagger in a leather sheath, “native steel, and not much to look at, but I sharpened it myself and found it mighty hard metal. I have also got you a spear-head and ferrule--you can make a shaft for yourself--so you will be able to take care of yourself, especially if you carry a pistol, and I have made up six small packets of gold dust and a bag of cowries, so that you can start as a man of substance.” We gathered up these treasures and bore them off to my room. I had bought a small cheap iron trunk for the journey, and in this I now threw the very few things that I proposed to take with me--chiefly, for reasons which will presently appear, cast-off clothes and objects of no value. I then put aside the native clothing and weapons, placed with them the gold dust, the cowries, a pocket compass, a sailor’s knife, and a small revolver with a box of cartridges, and asked Isabel to make these things into a separate package, using the _riga_ as an envelope, and to stitch it up securely. Leaving her to this occupation, I went with Pereira to his office to make final arrangements as to the custody of the small remainder of my property and the money that had been paid to him on my behalf by Captain Bithery, who had sailed for England three weeks before. “Did I show you Bithery’s letter?” Pereira asked, as we took our seats at the office table; and on my answering in the negative he pushed over to me the missive in the Captain’s well-known handwriting. “Tell Englefield,” it said, “that I am very well satisfied with him, and hope he is equally so with me. His pay and commission amount to a hundred and fifty-six pounds, which I enclose, with all good wishes. We have done very well this voyage, and I expect we shall be out again in less than six months, so, if he should come to his senses again in that time, he will be able to take up his berth on the _Lady Jane_.” “I am glad the Captain is coming out again,” I said as I returned the letter. “He has been a really kind and generous friend to me, and I should like to have a chance of showing him that I realise it.” “Yes,” replied Pereira, “Bithery is a really good fellow, and very fond of you, too. And now to settle our business. I understand you want me to take charge of your goods and this money. Is that so?” “Yes, if you will. I will take fifteen pounds, and you hold the remainder until I come back.”