AfterthisIsobeltookanighttrainbacktotownand,returningtoHawk’sHall,threwherselfwiththeenergythatwasremarkableinher,intothemanagementofherhospitalandmanyanotherworkandcharityconnectedwiththewar。Foritwasonlyinworkthatshecouldforgetherselfandherachingloneliness。
Godfreyhadacomfortableandaprosperousvoyage,sinceitwasalmostbeforethedaysofsubmarines,atanyratesofaraspassengersteamerswereconcerned,andtheysawnoenemyships。Therefore,withinlittlemorethanamonthhelandedonthehotshoresofMombasa,andcouldcabletoIsobelthathewassafeandwellandreceiveherlovinganswer。
Hisnextbusinesswastoreporthimselfintheproperquarter,whichhedid。Thoseoverhimseemedquitebewilderedastowhathehadcomefororwhathewastodo,andcouldonlysuggestthatheshouldtraveltoNairobiandUgandaandputhimselfintouchwiththecivilauthorities。Thishedidalsoand,asaresult,formulatedacertainschemeofaction,towhichhismilitarysuperiorsassented,intimatingthathemightdoasheliked,solongashedidnotinterferewiththem。
Whathappenedtohimmaybeverybrieflydescribed。IntheendhestartedtovisitagreatchiefonthebordersofGermanEastAfrica,butinBritishterritory,amanwhoseloyaltywasrumouredtobedoubtful。Thischief,Jagabyname,wasaprofessedChristian,andathistowntherelivedamissionaryofthenameofTafelett,whohadbuiltachurchthereandwassaidtohavemuchinfluenceoverhim。SowiththeReverendMr。TafelettGodfreycommunicatedbyrunners,sayingthathewascomingtovisithim。Accordinglyhestartedwithaguardofnativetroops,acolouredinterpreterandsomeservants,butwithoutanywhitecompanion,sincetheattackonGermanterritorywasbeginningandnoonecouldbesparedtogowithhimuponadiplomaticmission。
Thejourneywaslongandarduous,involvingmanydaysofmarchingacrosstheEastAfricanveldandthroughitsforests,wheregameofallsortswasextraordinarilyplentiful,andatnighttheyweresurroundedbylions。Atlength,however,withtheexceptionofonemanwhoremainedwiththelions,theyarrivedsafelyatthetownofJagaandweremetbyMr。Tafelett,whotookGodfreyintohishouse,aneatthatchedbuildingwithawideverandahthatstoodbythechurch,whichwasakindofwhitewashedshed,alsothatched。