2 
PROGRAMME. 
[chap. I. 
I could not conceive that anything in this world 
had power to resist a determined will, so long as 
health and life remained. The failure of every former 
attempt to reach the Nile source did not astonish me, 
as the expeditions had consisted of parties, which, 
when difficulties occur, generally end in difference of 
opinion and retreat: I therefore determined to pro¬ 
ceed alone, trusting in the guidance of a Divine Pro¬ 
vidence and the good fortune that sometimes attends 
a tenacity of purpose. I weighed carefully the chances 
of the undertaking. Before me—untrodden Africa; 
against me—the obstacles that had defeated the world 
since its creation; on my side—a somewhat tough 
constitution, perfect independence, a long experience 
in savage life, and both time and means which I in¬ 
tended to devote to the object without limit. England 
had never sent an expedition to the Nile sources pre¬ 
vious to that under the command of Speke and Grant. 
Bruce, ninety years ago, had succeeded in tracing the 
source of the Blue or Lesser Nile : thus the honour of 
that discovery belonged to Great Britain; Speke was 
on his road from the South; and I felt confident that 
my gallant friend would leave his bones upon the 
path rather than submit to failure. I trusted that 
England would not be beaten; and although I hardly 
dared to hope that I could succeed where others 
