472 LETTERS TO DR. SCHWEINFURTH. 



October 22, 1884. 



However much I should like to send you good news about 

 ourselves, I cannot, alas ! do more than inform you that we 

 are still alive. Every day brings fresh and often contradic- 

 tory reports, and this state of things will continue until a 

 steamboat comes and satisfies our curiosity. Meanwhile I have 

 transformed Lado into a very respectable fortress, with deep 

 moats, high ramparts, bastions, drawbridges, &c. If we are to 

 die at last, we will at least die the honourable death of soldiers. 

 And I believe it is not far off. I dare not let my men know 

 it, but really I have no longer much hope, especially as a later 

 letter from Keremallah says that Khartum is besieged by the 

 Mahdi in person, and has probably capitulated by this time. 

 Private letters which have just come from Dufile contain a 

 curious tale, — according to the statements of Negroes who 

 have come to Fatiko, a large body of English soldiers, in 

 fine uniforms and well armed, have arrived at Kabrega's re- 

 sidence on their way to us. Can this refer to Thomson or 

 Fischer ? * 



November 26, 1884. 



Parturiunt monies, &c. The English soldiers are transformed 

 into a caravan of Zanzibar traders, who have come to Kabrega, 

 as usual, to purchase ivory and slaves. I have to thank 

 Anflna's men for this news. They have been sent to me by 

 their chief to beg that the soldiers might return into his 

 country, but this is, of course, impossible now. I have availed 

 myself of the opportunity to write to Kabrega and Mtesa, and 

 have enclosed letters containing news of us all to the French 

 and English missionaries, as well as to the English Consul- 

 General in Zanzibar, requesting them to inform our Govern- 

 ment that up to the despatch of these letters (November 17) 

 we were all well, though in great straits, and intended to 

 defend ourselves to the last man. I am certainly very doubtful 

 if these letters will ever reach their destination, but I have 

 done my duty, and if the Government in Cairo or Khartum 



* Joseph Thomson reached the north-east corner of the Victoria Lake in 

 December 1884, whilst Dr. Fischer was there in December 1886. 



