<prompt> Translate the following text to EnglishAlikuwa amemwomba mtu huyo amsaidie siku chache mapema na, ikiwa mfanyabiashara huyo alikuwa na haki, alikuwa karibu kufa kwa ajili yake.  <response>: He had asked the man for help a few days earlier and, if the merchant was right, had nearly died for it. 