658 a "hot breakfast." 



African travel, and had had some severe touches of the ills 

 which every stranger who penetrates these wilds must count 

 on, he stood in Unyanyembe in good spirits, and sanguine of 

 success. More than once, Providence seemed to have interposed 

 for him ; not only had he been sustained in severe illness, and 

 saved from encounters with the natives, who so frequently 

 seemed to be set on an attack : there had been particular per- 

 sonal dangers ; several times his men had threatened mutiny. 

 Once particularly, he was graciously preserved. The two white 

 men whom he had employed had become exceedingly disa- 

 greeable; they were utterly worthless, but the presence of white 

 faces and English-speaking tongues was a great relief in the 

 midst of so much degradation. Mr. Stanley continued the 

 kindest treatment; but on the morning of the 15th of May, 

 while troubles were in full force, when these two men were in- 

 vited to breakfast as usual, it was evident, from their surly 

 greeting, that something was the matter. Stanley had overheard 

 them a short time before in loud and angry conversation, and 

 now their countenances and manner convinced him that their 

 rage was against him. 



" Breakfast was brought on, consisting of a roast quarter of 

 goat, stewed liver, sweet potatoes, hot pancakes, and coffee." 

 And turning to Shaw, Mr. Stanley requested him to carve and 

 help Farquhar. This seemed to be the signal for a rupture, 

 and Shaw replied, in the most insulting manner, " What dog's 

 meat is this ? " 



" What do you mean ? " asked Stanley. Whereupon Shaw 

 broke out in a rage of abuse. He would hear no remonstrance, 

 he was absolutely insensible to all reason, and persisted in his 

 rudeness until Mr. Stanley knocked him down. When he arose 

 he demanded a discharge from the company, and Stanley im- 

 mediately ordered his things all to be put down outside of the 

 camp, and told him to go. It would have been better if Stan- 

 ley had not revoked this decision ; but that very night Shaw 

 sent in such humble messages that he was allowed to return. 

 That little bit of clemency came near being the ruin of the 

 expedition. 



The man came back with expressions of deep repentance, as- 

 suring Stanley that he should never have occasion to find fault 



