Kamrasi's cowardice - Interview with the king - The exchange of blood -
The rod beggar's last chance - An astounded sovereign
CHAPTER XX.
A satanic escort - Prostrated by sun-stroke - Days and nights of
sorrow - The reward for all our labor
CHAPTER XXI.
The cradle of the Nile - Arrival at Magungo - The blind leading
the blind - Murchison Falls
CHAPTER XXII.
Prisoners on the island - Left to starve - Months of helpless-
ness - We rejoin the Turks - The real Kamrasi - In the presence of royalty
CHAPTER XXIII.
The hour of deliverance - Triumphal entry into Gondokoro -
Homeward bound - The plague breaks out - Our welcome at
Khartoum - Return to civilization
IN THE HEART OF AFRICA.
CHAPTER I.
The Nubian desert - The bitter well - Change of plans - An irascible
dragoman - Pools of the Atbara - One secret of the Nile - At Cassala.
In March, 1861, I commenced an expedition to discover the sources of the
Nile, with the hope of meeting the East African expedition of Captains
Speke and Grant, that had been sent by the English Government from the
South via Zanzibar, for the same object. I had not the presumption to
publish my intention, as the sources of the Nile had hitherto defied all
explorers, but I had inwardly determined to accomplish this difficult
task or to die in the attempt. From my youth I had been inured to
hardships and endurance in wild sports in tropical climates, and when I
gazed upon the map of Africa I had a wild hope, mingled with humility,
that, even as the insignificant worm bores through the hardest oak, I
might by perseverance reach the heart of Africa.
I could not conceive that anything in this world has power to resist a
determined will, so long as health and life remain. The failure of every
former attempt to reach the Nile source did not astonish me, as the
expeditions had consisted of parties, which, when difficulties occur,
generally end in difference of opinion and in retreat; I therefore
determined to proceed alone, trusting in the guidance of a Divine
Providence and the good fortune that sometimes attends a tenacity of
purpose. I weighed carefully the chances of the undertaking. Before me,
untrodden Africa; against me, the obstacles that had defeated the world
since its creation; on my side, a somewhat tough constitution, perfect
independence, a long experience in savage life, and both time and means,
which I intended to devote to the object without limit.
England had never sent an expedition to the Nile sources previous to
that under the command of Speke and Grant. Bruce, ninety years before,
had succeeded in tracing the source of the Blue or Lesser Nile; thus the
honor of that discovery belonged to Great Britain. Speke was on his road
from the South, and I felt confident that my gallant friend would leave
his bones upon the path rather than submit to failure. I trusted that
England would not be beaten, and although I hardly dared to hope that I
could succeed where others greater than I had failed, I determined to
sacrifice all in the attempt.
