XXXVI.] ESTABLISHING STATIONS. 477 



not either of a missionary or commercial character, must also 

 materially assist in opening np the country. 



The establishment of depots or stations on a trunk route 

 across the continent, where the tired and weary explorer may 

 iind a resting-place, and fresh stores and men to carry on his 

 task, can not fail to do much toward systematizing the work of 

 discovery, instead of leaving every man to hunt for his own 

 needle in his own bundle of hay. 



The establishment of these stations would necessitate the 

 maintenance of regular means of communication between 

 them, and therefore each new explorer would be able to travel 

 direct to the one which is to serve as the base of his operations, 

 without wasting time, money, and energy in getting into a new 

 country. These stations might either be commanded by Euro- 

 |3eans, or by men of character among the Arab merchants, who 

 (night be thoroughly relied on to do their duty in an upright 

 and honorable manner. 



By commencing from both coasts, a chain of stations some 

 two hundred miles apart might be established in a compara- 

 tively short space of time ; but money is needed. 



There are many men well fitted to take charge of these ex- 

 peditions whose means do not allow them to travel on their 

 own account, but who would volunteer in hundreds if they 

 could see their way to aiding in the work without endanger- 

 ing their scanty fortunes. 



The promoters of the ISTyassa mission are already talking of 

 establishing stations between the coast, the north end of Nyas- 

 sa, and the south of Tanganyika, and then, by placing steamers 

 on that lake, to draw a cordon between the East Coast and the 

 countries from which the greater portion of the slaves are de- 

 rived. This is a practical and feasible plan; but whether it 

 would not be a line of action that comes more under the scope 

 of Government in suppressing the slave-trade, is a question that 

 may well be asked. 



I would recommend the acquirement of a port — Mom- 

 basah, for instance — from the Sultan of Zanzibar, by treaty 

 or purchase, and thence to run a light line of railway to 

 the Tanganyika, via Unyanyembe, with branches to the Vic- 

 toria IN'yanza, and to the southward througli Ugogo. Such 



