With regard to more mundane matters, Gordon did not scruple to pour cold
water on the Burtons' golden dream of wealth from the Mines of Midian,
and frankly told Isabel that the "Midian Myth" was worth very little, and
that Burton would do much better to throw in his lot with him. Isabel,
however, did not see things in the same light, and she was confident of
the future of Midian, and had no desire to go to Darfur. When Burton
returned from Midian in April, and he and his wife went to Cairo at
the request of the Khedive, they saw a good deal of Gordon again. He
and Burton discussed affairs thoroughly--especially Egyptian affairs--
and Gordon again expressed his regret that Burton did not see his way to
joining him. When Burton was in London later in the year, he received
the following letter from Gordon, in which he renewed his offer,
increasing the the salary from 1,600 pounds to 5,000 pounds a year.
"KARTOUM, August 8, 1878.
"MY DEAR BURTON,
"Please date, or rather put address on your letters. Thanks for yours
of July 4, received to-day. I am very sorry Mrs. Burton is not well,
but hope England has enabled her to regain her health. My arrangement
is _letter for letter_. If you write, I will answer. I wish you could
undertake the Government of Zeyla, Harar, and Berberah, and free me of
the bother. Why cannot you get two years' leave from F.
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