306 
TEAVELS IN CENTEAL AFEICA. 
“ Gondokoeo, 
a February 1863. 
“My dear Petherick, 
“I am much disappointed at not meeting you here, 
and ever allowing for the usual exaggeration of reports, I am 
anxious to hear of the health of your party. Youvfaheel with a 
strong party goes to meet you. We arrived here with three 
boats on the 2nd. 
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ 
“ I have much to say to you that I cannot write. There are 
serious intrigues against you in Khartoum. Upon your arrest of 
Amabile, an accusation was sent to the Consul-General, includ- 
ing the official declarations of two Consulates, charging you with 
some former participation in slavery. Of course the seals of 
numerous natives ornamented this document. I passed six 
months of ennui in that horrible den Khartoum. Thanks to you 
for a roof in the airy room adjoining your store. There I had 
the only pleasure of reading your newspapers and looking to 
meeting you in these latitudes. 
# * 
“After the miserable White Kile voyage, Gondokoro is a 
charming country: good firm ground is a blessing after the 
swampy regions left behind us. The Dutch ladies with the 
steamer have gone to the Bahar il Gazal, with the intention of 
reaching Mundo and going to the Equator. They have a large 
force with them. There should be a public house built on the 
Equator, where travellers could stop for a glass of beer : it is 
becoming a fashionable tour. I fear Mrs. Petherick must have 
had a trying journey during the rains : when I saw Abu Kuka I 
could picture the misery of a rainy season in that frightful 
country. I shall be very anxious to hear of you. This letter is 
