I tried to escape
but could not. They killed Tom: the other man ran away. They
have not hurt nurse and me, but say that they mean to exchange
us against one of Mr Quatermain's party. _I will have nothing
of the sort_. Do not let anybody give his life for me. Try and
attack them at night; they are going to feast on three bullocks
they have stolen and killed. I have my pistol, and if no help
comes by dawn I will shoot myself. They shall not kill me.
If so, remember me always, dearest father and mother. I am very
frightened, but I trust in God. I dare not write any more as
they are beginning to notice. Goodbye. -- Flossie.'
Scrawled across the outside of this was 'Love to Mr Quatermain.
They are going to take the basket, so he will get the lily.'
When I read those words, written by that brave little girl in
an hour of danger sufficiently near and horrible to have turned
the brain of a strong man, I own I wept, and once more in my
heart I vowed that she should not die while my life could be
given to save her.
Then eagerly, quickly, almost fiercely, we fell to discussing
the situation. Again I said that I would go, and again Mackenzie
negatived it, and Curtis and Good, like the true men that they
are, vowed that, if I did, they would go with me, and die back
to back with me.
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