510 LETTERS TO DR. FELKIN. 



look the future hopefully in the face. May the near future 

 bring the realisation of these certainly modest wishes, and may 

 we be permitted, after all the trials which God has seen fit to 

 bring us through, to see a time of peace and prosperity in 

 Central Africa. You can imagine with what anxiety I look 

 for the denouement of things, and how I count the days which 

 must still pass before I receive definite news. I thank God 

 that I am still able to work and to keep my people well in 

 hand. As long as I have plenty to occupy me, I seem to 

 forget all trials, of which we have, unfortunately, only too many. 

 I had only just returned here from Rejaf, when, owing to the 

 stupidity of the Negroes living near this station in burning 

 the grass during a gale of wind, the flames spread, and Wadelai 

 was burned to the ground. With the help of the neighbouring 

 Negro chiefs, I have been able to rebuild the station, which is 

 now much handsomer than before. It was only by tremendous 

 exertions that we were able to save our arms and ammunition, 

 but all else became a booty to the flames. It is true that we 

 had not much to lose, but what little we had was very precious, 

 and its loss all the more grievous. 



Things go on with us in the same way as before. We 

 sow, we reap, we spin, and live day after day as usual ; but 

 February was an unlucky month, for in nearly every station fires 

 broke out. This was due to the exceptionally strong winds in 

 that month, and to the carelessness of the natives in burning 

 the grass. We have docked our steamers, and renewed them 

 as much as possible ; and, besides this, we have built several 

 boats, so you see we have plenty to do. I have been obliged 

 to evacuate Lado, as it was impossible for me to supply the 

 garrison there with corn ; but, as a set-off to the loss of this 

 station, I have been able to reoccupy the district of Makraka. 

 At present, therefore, we occupy the whole of my former 

 stations in Makraka : Rejaf, Beden, Kiri, Muggi, Lahore, 

 Khor Ayu, Dufile, Fatiko, Fadibek, Wadelai, Songa, and Ma- 

 li agi, nearly all the stations which were originally entrusted to 

 me by General Gordon ; and I intend and expect to keep them 

 all. I should like here again to mention that if a relief ex- 

 pedition comes to us, I will on no account leave my people. 

 We have passed through troublous times together, and I 



