366 THE RELIEF OF EMIN PASJIA 



of the two hundred and fifty-seven men only seventy-one were left, 

 many of them unfit for service. The stores had also largely dis- 

 appeared, but more were left than the few men could carry. 



Most men, under such discouraging circumstances, would have 

 abandoned the enterprise, but Stanley was of heroic mould, and a 

 third time set out to traverse that frightful forest. In this third jour- 

 ney the expedition narrowly escaped starvation, but they kept on until 

 the lake was reached again, to find that Emin's men had rebelled 

 against him and that he was a prisoner in their hands. 



The irresolution of Emin was at an end. When Stanley next met 

 him he consented to return, and on the lOth of April, iScSq, his fol- 

 lowers and those of Stanley set out, this time directing their steps, 

 not towards the Congo, but on the shorter route to the eastern coast. 

 It was a journey difficult enough in its way, and one in which some 

 important geographical discoveries were made. It ended on the 5th 

 of December at Bagamoyo, the port of Zanzibar. 



Thus was completed this remarkable work of exploration and 

 relief, the most stupendous in its way ever ventured upon. Stanley 

 had twice crossed Africa, in different latitudes, had established a great 

 African state, and had made discoveries of the most far-reaching 

 importance, and his name stands next to that of Livingstone, in the 

 front rank of modern explorers. 



