THE SLAVES. 



291 



* Msene district, Jan. 14, 1858. 



' To Sheth Eamji, 



' The full term for wliicli lie engaged the eight 

 slaves, Kidogo, Jako, Mbaruk, Waledi, Mboni, 

 Muhinna, Buyuni, and Hayja, having now ex- 

 pired, we give them their dismissal. From the 

 commencement of the march their insolence of 

 manner and their independence of action have 

 been so troublesome to us, and so disastrous to 

 our progress, that we feel no compunction in 

 thus summarily dismissing them. 



(Signed) ' Captains Burton & Speke.' 



Tinder different circumstances we should have 

 been spared the hardship and suffering of all 

 'up-hill work,' of labouring against the stream 

 of events. We might then easily have returned 

 via Egypt to Europe, as I firmly intended, and 

 as my companion — aided by the experience of the 

 past, and travelling under the most favourable 

 auspices — was able to do on his second expe- 

 dition. Once thoroughly laid open, no African 

 road is difficult, unless temporary obstacles, such 

 as famines or bandit raids, oppose progress, and 

 the hard crust of the coast being broken, the 

 interior offers comparatively few obstacles. But, 



