human
Englishmin, said the runner at last,
gpt
I am indeed, returned Miles;
human
Yes; I am your friend, but my friendness can do for you not'ing. Like youself, I am captive--slave. But in my own land I was a chief, and friend of the great and good Gordon, so I is friend to all Englishmin. Once I was 'terpreter to Gordon, but the Mahdi came. I fell into his hands, and now I do run befront his horse, an' hold de stirrup! I comes to you from the Mahdi wid bad news.
gpt
Indeed! But I need not wonder. You could scarcely come from him with good news. What have you to tell?
human
The Mahdi has made you his runner,
gpt
That is strange news rather than bad, is it not?
human
Now he send me again to dirty work, an' put you in my place to humble you--to insult you before every one, who will say, `Look! de bold Christin dog lick de dust now, an' hold de Mahdi's stirrup.'
gpt
This is indeed bad news. But how is it that you, who seem to be free, do not use your opportunity to escape? I saw you holding the Mahdi's horse. It seems to be a splendid one. Why did you not jump on its back and fly?
human
You is young, he said,
gpt
Perhaps not, said Miles,
human
You will be me very soon, returned the runner,
gpt
There is truth in what you say, rejoined Miles, after a few minutes' thought.
human
I will take your advice and submit and wait, but only till the opportunity to escape offers. I would not murder the man even if I had the chance.
gpt
Your words remind me of de good Gordon. He was not vengeful. He loved God, said the runner, in a low and very different tone.
human
But, he added,
gpt
Gordon was a white man. He did not--could not--understand de feelings of de black chief.