Lake Tanganyika 



Thus, the many arrangements having been completed and 

 the varied stores and provisions packed into fifty-six-pound 

 loads ready for the " safari," we boarded the special carriage 

 put at our disposal by the kindness of Captain Camus and 

 were on our way to Gottorp, where the first gang of carriers 

 were to meet us. 



The Kigoma-Tabora line, which was completed in 1912, 

 comes out on to Lake Tanganyika through one of the few 

 breaks in its eastern ramparts. As we travelled along it, 

 we were struck by the neatness and finish of the permanent 

 way ; the metals being beautifully laid, mile after mile. 

 Where there was a straight stretch of several miles, one 

 looked along the converging lines of gleaming metals with- 

 out a break to mar their exactness — beautifully done and 

 in sharp contrast to other African railways that I know. 

 The stations too were trim but solid buildings. This pleasing 

 effect was no doubt due to the finishing touches put to the 

 railway by the Belgian engineers, who have been busy on 

 it ever since its partial destruction by the Germans in their 

 retreat. On this account I was extremely glad to hear of 

 the decision that the Belgians are to have an interest in 

 it, in the form of a special freightage and I believe other 

 advantages. Leaving Kigoma at half-past four in the after- 

 noon, taking with us pleasant memories of the kindness 

 and hospitality we received there, not to mention several 

 kinds of cooked and uncooked food showered on us for the 

 journey, we arrived at Gottorp about ten o'clock in pitch 

 darkness. After unloading our baggage by a dim lamp 

 held by a little Belgian, we were faced with the prospect 

 of a rather uncomfortable night, perhaps in some out-house 

 or other, as the station building appeared to be unlit and 



17 c 



