A Dash for Khartoum: A Tale of the Nile Expedition

The story of the Nile Expedition is so recent that no word ofintroduction is necessary to the historical portion of the tale. Themoral, such as it is, of the story of the two lads brought up asbrothers is Never act in haste, for repentance is sure to follow. Inthis case great anxiety and unhappiness were caused through a lad actingas he believed for the best, but without consulting those who had everyright to a voice in the matter. That all came right in the end in no wayaffects this excellent rule, for all might have gone wrong. We are oftenmisled by a generous impulse, more often perhaps than by an evil one,but the consequences may be just as serious in the one case as theother. When in trouble you should always go freely to your best friendsand natural advisers, and lay the case fully before them. It may bethat, if the trouble has arisen from your own fault, you will have tobear their temporary displeasure, but this is a small thing incomparison with the permanent injury that may arise from acting on yourown impulse. In most cases, cowardice lies at the bottom of concealment,and cowardice is of all vices the most contemptible; while the fear ofthe displeasure of a parent has ruined many a boy's life. Therefore,when you are in serious trouble always go to your best friend, yourfather, and lay the case frankly and honestly before him; for you maybe sure that present displeasure and even punishment are but smallthings in comparison with the trouble that may arise from trying to getout of the difficulty in other ways.G. A. Henty