118 THROUGH UNKNOWN AFRICAN COUNTRIES. 
not be easy to imagine that six tenths of my provisions, 
pack animals, and trading goods were exhausted, and that 
my men would be determined against going west again, 
when they could almost hear their wives and children call- 
ing for them from the coast? But if I was unlucky in 
meeting an insurmountable barrier the first time I crossed 
the Webi Shebeli, I am fortunate in still] having the means 
to perfect my plans,and to turn my former set-back to 
great accounts. I have been able to-day to replace tired 
camels for fresh ones, and to buy enough rice to last for a 
long time. 
“When the six camel loads of cloth arrive from Berbera 
I shall certainly be well equipped once more. There 
are but two difficulties that I can foresee, —one that the 
Abyssinians may have conquered the people farther south 
than I think, and that they will bring their army against 
us again; the second and the greatest danger, my men 
may desert. I have afew men on whom I can rely not 
to desert me, but the majority are continually doing all 
in their power to get me to give the word to return, and 
are constantly forming plans for theirescape. The anxiety 
is most unpleasant. At any hour we three Europeans 
may be left suddenly with only half a dozen boys to con- 
tinue our journey to Rudolf. 
“There would be little hopes of our getting through 
alive in this case; but Fred, Dodson, and myself will never- 
theless attempt it, rather than return ignominiously to the 
coast. A hard trip it has been; but enough of the old 
year. When I am successful in ‘95, I shall make that 
journey through the Gallas and Abyssinians tell to good 
advantage, for full of rich results it was. Money I must 
spend, and plenty of it; but as I am willing to risk 
my life, and the lives of Fred and Dodson and eighty 
camel-men, to accomplish my purpose, I dare not shrink 
