lo In the Heart of Africa 



Ombascha (corporals), 2 TioXxng-Ombascha, and 25 Askari ; 

 20 European "boys," 10 assistant " boys," 4 cooks, 4 kitchen 

 " boys," 5 assistants to prepare specimens, 34 native soldiers, 

 33 "boy" carriers, 2 interpreters, 300 carriers for the Euro- 

 pean loads, 200 carriers for the ammunition, barter-goods, 

 followers' stores, water, instruments, photographic materials, 

 collections, reserve loads, etc., etc. 



In the meantime I had not been inactive in Europe. The 

 undertaking having been placed on a sound basis, the responsible 

 task of obtaining the necessary equipment was proceeded with. 

 The experience I had gained on several smaller previous expedi- 

 tions stood me in good stead. During the time that I was 

 hurrying from store to store, giving orders and testing the goods 

 delivered, my correspondence accumulated to such an extent 

 that I was only able to cope with it and answer the numerous 

 questions asked by dictating the replies. At the same time I 

 found it necessary to hold a series of conferences with the 

 representatives of the scientific institutions interested and various 

 members of the expedition, the majority of whom had not 

 previously travelled in Africa. 



I breathed freely at last, when, during the first week of April, 

 the large number of packages had been put together and were 

 shipped at Hamburg. 



Having received two years' furlough I formally gave up the 

 duties of major, which I had fulfilled for two years on the staff 

 of the Second Dragoon Regiment of Guards, a regiment which 

 had grown very dear to me. My regimental comrades, however, 

 as well as numerous other Berlin acquaintances, rivalled each 

 other in their efforts to make my last few evenings pleasant ones. 



I left Berlin with Raven on the 9th of May. A large number 

 of friends and acquaintances accompanied us to the railway 

 station, and the last few minutes in the Home country were spent 

 in animated conversation. 



