DR. JUNKER'S ARRIVAL. 461 



a panegyric on myself. I should be sorry that you, above all, 

 should suspect that such demonstrations " to mate my merits 

 known to the world " are due to my instigation. I must, 

 therefore, earnestly beg you to leave out the passage, should 

 you wish to publish the despatch. Excuse its insertion. I 

 have now served nearly nine years on the equator, and during 

 this time I have never resorted to puffs — though they seem to 

 be necessary in Egypt if a man wishes to get on. 



I have some fine specimens for you from Unyoro and Uganda, 

 and I will do my utmost to obtain others. As my presence 

 is urgently demanded in the south, I shall probably make an 

 excursion to the lake after the arrival of the steamer, and shall 

 then have an opportunity of purchasing some ethnographical 

 specimens. 



January I, 1884. 



A happy New Year to you ! Will you sometimes think of 

 me during this year, and send me a line occasionally ? I really 

 need it, so look on it as charity. You have surely lived long 

 enough in Africa to have learnt the value of a few kind words 

 or a sympathising letter. 



January 8, 1884. 



Here is a great surprise; he is coming after all — Junker, 

 I mean. According to a letter from him, dated November 1 6, 

 which I received to-day through Monbuttu, he had started off 

 from Zemio's on that very day, intending to reach the main 

 north road, which terminates at Ansea's (Makraka), straight 

 through Ndorunia's and Mbio's territories, or, if this were 

 impossible, by a detour to the south through Binza's and 

 Wando's districts. His letters from Europe had reached him 

 on November 15, and though he had made a day's march 

 northwards, he was induced by news he received from Lupton 

 Bey to turn back and direct his steps hither. So I hope to 

 have the opportunity of welcoming him here about the middle 

 of this month, and you can well imagine what a pleasure it 

 will be. 



January 23, 1884. 



This morning our friend Junker arrived here safely and in 

 good health. God grant that a steamboat may come shortly 



