BRITISH CENTRAL AFRICA. 291 



tied a rope. We fixed this rope across a branch, 

 and, in order to give the others courage, I crossed 

 first. I caught hold of it and went hand over 

 hand, but I lost my footing in the first ten yards, 

 and never expected to reach the other side. 

 Eventually we got all the loads hauled over 

 and every person crossed, but it was with great 

 difficulty. 



I crossed the Tutschila river in a punt, the like 

 of which does not exist anywhere else ; it is simply 

 two cases nailed together with a tarpaulin stretched 

 below. 



At Chiromo I eventually got a steamer, and 

 arrived safely at Chinde, from which I went to 

 Zanzibar, said good-bye to the nine men still 

 remaining with me, settled up my affairs, and 

 came home. 



The total expenses of my expedition come to 

 £1,300, of which £700 were supplied by the Royal 

 Society. I hope that the results were worth this 

 expenditure, but when I think of Suliman Msudi 

 and Mirambo, as well as the numerous sick who 

 were left at stations on the way, I feel doubtful 

 whether any number of new species of plants can 

 make up for the losses. At any rate I am clear on 

 this point, I did the best that was in my power, 

 though hampered at every turn by want of funds. 

 The only part of my expenditure which I regret I 

 might have avoided by not appointing any agent 

 till my arrival at Mombasa. I am proud also of 



