“Sunday night if you can get ready and I can get accommodations on the steamer,” said Mr. Graham.
“Don’t worry about me, uncle,” said Enola. “Look out for yourself and Auntie. I will be ready,” and saying this Enola turned and left the room.
Harry had long since learned to love Enola, but she had told him positively when he approached her on the subject of marriage, that she only thought of him as a brother, but that sometime she might learn to think of him in a different way; until that time, however, he must not mention the subject again. Harry had promised, and so the matter had rested; but he had not forgotten her words, and he now saw a chance, while on this long journey, to win the love he craved.
He was twenty-eight, and by hard work, and strict attention to his duties, had been promoted to the position of cashier in the bank of which his father was president. He and his father had both left the bank for an indefinite period just a few days before our story opens, fully decided on taking a long vacation, spending the time in Europe. So Enola’s plans had not upset theirs to any great extent; they would now take a trip into Africa, instead of through Europe.
When they had thought the matter over for some time, they came to the conclusion that the African trip would be more to their liking, for they were both good hunters and lovers of adventure. So Harry and his father lost no time but went out that same afternoon and made purchases of shotguns, rifles and pistols, fishing tackle, and some of the more necessary medicines. They trusted to getting everything else which they might need in New York and in Zanzibar.
That evening at the dinner table, the subject was brought up before Mrs. Graham and Nellie. Both objected, but when Mr. Graham and Harry both avowed their intention of accompanying Enola, then the ladies gave their consent.
Sunday came around and the party had gotten all ready and started for New York. Arriving there some few purchases were made, and then in the evening the party boarded the great steamer which was to carry them to Southampton. The following day opened up bright and beautiful, Enola remarking that this foretold success. The steamer left the dock early and moved slowly down the bay, past Governor’s Island, Bedloe’s Island, the Statue of Liberty, and then along the Staten Island shore, past Quarantine, the forts, Fire Island, Sandy Hook, and then, after a glimpse of Coney Island, Brighton, Manhattan Beach and Far Rockaway, the steamer turned her nose toward the Old World, and land was soon out of sight. The trip was an enjoyable one, the steamer not breaking her record, but still reaching Southampton in less than seven days. They did not tarry in England, but took one of the Channel steamers for Boulogne Sur Mer, and arriving here boarded a train for Paris, which city was reached the same night. The following day Mr. Graham looked up a steamer for Alexandria, and learned that one sailed for that port on Saturday from Marseilles. This was Thursday, so no time must be lost in reaching Marseilles. Sleeping accommodations were secured on the night train, and the following morning found them in the quaint old city. The day was spent in taking a drive along the Mediterranean. It was at a time when the Reviera is generally crowded, and the beautiful driveway was filled with elegant equipages.
The following morning they took the steamer for Alexandria.
This was the most delightful part of the trip. The sky never looked so blue, the water never so calm, the sun never so bright, and the air never seemed so pure as on this two weeks’ trip, from Marseilles to Alexandria. Stops were made at Algiers, Tunis and at several other points before reaching Alexandria, and at these different places, the boat stopping for a few hours, our friends disembarked, and made short excursions over the towns.
At Alexandria a freight steamer was found bound for Madagascar, and arrangements were made with the Captain to give the ladies his cabin, Mr. Graham and Harry being satisfied with humbler quarters. Down through the Suez Canal, into the Red Sea, out through the Gulf of Aden and then into the Indian Ocean, and the little steamer headed due south. This trip was rather slow but without much hardship, the Island of Zanzibar was at last sighted, and, later in the day, they were taken off in lighters.