V 
MKRATIYE 
OF 
A MISSION TO CENTRAL AFRICA. 
CHAPTER I. 
Origin of the Mission — Its Objects and Plan — Preparations — Arrival 
at Tripoli — Prussian Colleagues — Necessaiy Delay — The Boat for 
Lake Tchad — Wind-bound — Anxieties at Tripoli— Correspond- 
ence with Mourzuk and Ghat — Circular Letter of Izhet Pasha — 
Composition of the Caravan — An aristocratic Interpreter — A Mo- 
hammedan Toper — The Chaouches — Free Blacks returning to 
their Countries — Marabout — Camel-drivers — Rate of Desert-tra- 
velling — Trade of Tripoli with the Interior — Slavery — Caravans 
from Central Africa — Details on Commerce — Promotion of legi- 
timate Traffic — Spread of Civilisation. 
Since my return from a first tour of exploratioii 
iii the Great Sahara I had carefully revolved in my 
mind the possibility of a much greater undertaking, 
namely, a political and commercial expedition to 
some of the most important kingdoms of Central 
Africa. The plan appeared to me feasible ; and 
when I laid it in all its details before her Majesty's 
Government, they determined, after mature con- 
sideration, to empower me to carry it out. Two 
objects, one principal, but necessarily kept somewhat 
VOL. I. B 
