348 
CAPTAIN SPEKE. 
cavil. We had corresponded on the subject, 
and agreed that controversy on my part was 
to be avoided. Any attempt of the kind might 
only weaken his cause, and I felt that no asser- 
tions of mine were necessary to bear out the facts 
which he had recorded. Truth in time would 
conquer, and bear down all gainsayers, while that 
grand reservoir of twenty thousand miles — the 
Victoria Nyanza, with its fountains and tribu- 
taries — would speak for itself. Knowing that 
on our travels my attention was more directed to 
the habits of the people than to the geography 
of the country, he expressed a wish that I should 
write an account of our camp life in Africa. I 
complied, and part of this narrative lay on his 
table on the day of his death. It now goes forth 
without his revision or suggestions — a public 
loss ; for my fellow-traveller had a thorough 
knowledge of the country, loved its inhabitants, 
was a practical ornithologist, and would have 
aided me with his views on all topographical 
questions. Added to a singular adaptation for 
the work he had made choice of, — arising part- 
ly from his imperturbable temper and great 
patience, — Captain Speke was, in private life, 
pure-minded, honourable, regardless of self, and 
equally self-denying, with a mind always aim- 
ing at great things, and above every littleness. 
He was gentle and pleasing in manner, with 
almost childlike simplicity, but at the same 
time extremely tenacious of purpose. This was 
