Explorers and their Explorations, 47 
torial regions, and these men were divided into companies, 
and commanded by officers, exactly like regiments of soldiers. 
Another slave-trader assumed authority over ninety square 
miles of territory, and by his lawless bands inflicted destruc- 
tion, bondage, or death upon thousands of families. But, 
armed with authority, and supplied with men and arms. Sir 
Samuel suppressed the slave-trade in those regions to which 
he was especially appointed. Ismail, the then Khedive, 
succeeded largely in ridding that part of Africa under his 
jurisdiction, of the terrible curse, and so indirectly opened 
up the country from the Egyptian side, to civilization and 
Christian influences. 
Colonel Gordon succeeded to the work commenced so 
ably by Sir Samuel Baker, and under his rule further im- 
provements were eflected ; the government has been more 
firmly established, and security for life and property assured. 
Further plans have been inaugurated, which will result pro- 
bably in throwing open the heart of Africa to civilizing and 
Christianizing influences. Among other things, a railway is 
projected from Cairo to Khartoum, which will, when finished, 
ensure direct and speedy communication by rail or river with 
the country bordering on the Equator. Dr. Schweinfurth, a 
recent traveller through the same regions, has borne testi- 
mony again and again to the fact of the suppression of the 
slave-trade by Sir S. Baker, and the establishment of better 
government. Consul Petherick travelled over the same dis- 
trict as that explored by Baker, and Schweinfurth, and fully 
endorses their statements as to the terrible efiects of the slave 
traffic upon a beautiful region. Upon one occasion, he found 
that a raid of the kidnappers in the villages around Gondo- 
koro, resulted in the capture of 351 negroes, and 3,000 head 
of cattle. These were divided in equal portions among those 
who took part in the nefarious work. As he travelled there 
