Ali had, then, only one great ambition left: to some day make the pilgrimage to Mecca, which is the dream of so many true Mohammedans:
“And then I be BIG past all men that live for Kano.”
Sakari, on the other hand, planned the disposal of the money he had earned:
“When I go Kano I buy another wife, fine past the one that live now.
“After that I go buy house from Emir.”
Asked how much a house would cost, he replied:
“They be different, sir! Some get £15; some get £10; some get £6 to £7. If buy him so, all the time he be my own.”
Then he added:
“But I no look for front [forward] too much, Master! for it will be like the Tenere [desert] when you are gone.”
They were faithful, able men, and when the parting came it was one of deep regret, filled with distressing artless emotion on the part of Ali and Sakari; which revealed the wonderful fidelity of these two fine henchmen of the Open Road, who had stuck with the expedition through thick and thin.