SUCCOUR FOR SPEKE. 
71 
razzias upon them numerous^ and thousands have been carried 
into slavery. They now mistrust all^ and in turn attack strangers 
— no longer able to distinguish friend from foe. As those who are 
employed in the slave trade find it a lucrative one^ they prefer it ; 
and it is with much trouble soldiers or sailors can be engaged here 
to undertake a legitimate trade. Petherick^s agent had^ previous 
to our arrival^ secured an efficient body of men for three boats, to 
proceed to Gondokoro^, there to await the advent of Speke. All 
require five months^ pay in advance ; and when that is^ as a matter 
of course^ paid to them^ several run away. 
It took but a few days of Petherick^s time to arm and equip 
these men well ; but the wind was against the sailing of the boats. 
The extraordinary high Nile was the cause of this ; and not until 
the 15th of this month (November) did the north wind blow. They 
then set sail^, but the treacherous breeze died away for many hours,, 
and,, some three miles from Khartoum^ the boats were made fast to 
the shore^ and four of the hired soldiers went off with their guns. 
This is a frequent occurrence,, and a very troublesome thing it is 
to hunt up these deserters — generally without success. We follow 
with four boats as soon as possible,, and with upwards of one hun- 
dred and twenty men,, well armed. Forty-three soldiers went with 
the first boats,, and they^ with a principal agent of PethericlPs,, 
were^ on their arrival at Gondokoro^ to proceed at once towards 
the souths in the direction of the Lake Nyanza^ to meet Captains 
Speke and Grant. We take up with us some thirty donkeys and 
three horses : these are intended to carry the beads and baggage as 
we march in the interior. Negroes, we hear,, will not carry loads 
at this time^ so disaffected are they. The feuds amongst the various 
tribes are furious and many. 
We have health,, we have hope and energy to bear us up ; and we 
