Page:First Footsteps in East Africa, 1894 - Volume 1.djvu/40

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xxxiv
First Footsteps in East Africa.

and "Elphinstone," are blockading the harbour of Berberah, the Somal have offered 15,000 dollars indemnity, and they pretend, as usual, that the murderer has been slain by his tribe.

To conclude. The writer has had the satisfaction of receiving from his comrades assurances that they are willing to accompany him once more in the task of African exploration. The plans of the Frank are now publicly known to the Somali. Should the loss of life, however valuable, be an obstacle to prosecuting them, he must fall in the esteem of the races around him. On the contrary, should he, after duly chastising the offenders, carry out the original plan, he will command the respect of the people, and wipe out the memory of a temporary reverse. At no distant period the project will, it is hoped, be revived. Nothing is required but permission to renew the attempt—an indulgence which will not be refused by a Government raised by energy, enterprise, and perseverance from the ranks of a society of merchants to national wealth and imperial grandeur. :St. James's Square, ::10th February, 1856.