"I shouldn't think of doing less than leading her to the altar," said Conal. "I should hate a breach of promise case."
They still paid many visits to the king, but though he frequently asked for "goo-goo" (wine), no goo-goo was given him for the present.
At last, oh joy! news came from the far-off outer world. For Carrambo returned.
A little thinner he looked, but maintained the same nonchalant air.
He handed Duncan a letter, and as it was written in a bold English hand he tore it nervously open.
"Flom de skipper of de Pen-Gun," said Carrambo. "When I see de gun-boat lie in de ribber of Lamoo, I say to myse'f, 'No good bother wid the Sultan.' Den I go on board. All boo'ful white deck; all shiny blass, and black big gun; and de men all dress in sca'let and blue. Oh, dam fine, I 'ssure you. De skipper he take me below and give me biscocoes and vine till I not can dlink mo'.
"He read the letter. He den write anoder and soon I go again."
"Ten thousand thanks, Carrambo. You have earned your rifle. My brother and I shall teach you to shoot, and if when we make an attempt to leave this wild land, you will come with us to be our guide to Lamoo many another present you shall receive besides."
Lieutenant-commanding H.M.S. Pen-Gun wrote most cheerfully and hopefully to Duncan, assuring him that he himself would steam at once eastwards, and if he was successful in finding the unhappy mariners, they should be immediately taken off, tenderly cared for, and landed at Zanzibar, to wait under the charge of the British consul until a ship should arrive and take them back to England.
"Thank God for all his mercies," exclaimed Duncan piously, after he had twice read the letter aloud to his comrades.