20 
TRAVELS IN CENTRAL AFRICA. 
— ours had been stolen or broken_, as there were but five bottles in 
the stores, and one of these had been opened for the travellers. 
As we thought of going to the lake, that small quantity would 
be required; Speke was proceeding to Khartoum, where plenty 
could be obtained; and besides, a trader here had presented him 
with a case of cognac upon his arrival. 
I sent to Speke the list of things packed, and begged that if 
he thought of anything else, if possible, it should be provided. 
All were returned, with a note in vdiich he said, all the articles 
enumerated had been packed up by friend Baker. ^ 
I cannot tell you my feelings : Petherick, so honest and true 
himself, believes every one the same, and would not listen to my 
fears that Speke and Baker wished us not well. 
They dined with us; and a tremendous ham which we brought 
out from England was cooked : this we always said was to be done 
when we met Speke. During dinner, I endeavoured to prevail 
upon Speke to accept our aid, but he drawlingly replied, I do not 
wish to recognize the succour dodge ; ^ the rest of the conversation 
I am not well enough to repeat. I grow heart-sick now, as I did 
then, after all our toil. Never mind, it will recoil upon him yet, 
his heartless conduct. I soon left the table, and never dined with 
them again; I became ill, and did not hold up my head for weeks, 
though the morning they left I managed to go to their boat to bid 
them God speed,'’ and to impress upon Speke how obliged I 
should be if he would as soon as possible convey the intelligence of 
our well-being to our friends at home : how kindly he did so ! ! ! 
You will be glad to hear that our dahabyeh, the Kathleen/ 
left Khartoum on December 1 4th, but did not clearly get away 
until the IGth, as the men will have their spell on shore : she goes 
to bring down Mr. Baker from Gondokoro, and is well laden with 
