284 DIFFICULTY IN STARTING SOUTH. [chap. x. 
sengers had delivered them, when they were guided 
from Unyoro to the Turks’ station at Faloro ; he would 
naturally have considered that the Turks had been sent 
by Speke to attack him; thus the road appeared closed 
to all exploration, through the atrocities of Debono’s 
people. 
Many of Ibrahim’s men, at hearing this intelligence, 
refused to proceed to Unyoro. Fortunately for me, 
Ibrahim had been extremely unlucky in procuring 
ivory; the year had almost passed away, and he had a 
mere nothing with which to return to Gondokoro. I 
impressed upon him how enraged Koorshid would be 
should he return with such a trifle ; already his own 
men declared that he was neglecting razzias, because 
he was to receive a present from me if we reached 
Unyoro; this they would report to his master (Koor¬ 
shid), and it would be believed should he fail in 
securing ivory. I guaranteed him 100 cantars (10,000 
lbs.) if he would push on at all hazards with me to 
Kamrasi, and secure me porters from Shooa. Ibrahim 
behaved remarkably well. For some time past I had 
acquired a great influence over him, and he depended 
so thoroughly upon my opinion that he declared himself 
ready to do all that I suggested. Accordingly I desired 
him to call his men together, and to leave in Shooa all 
those who were disinclined to follow us. 
At once I arranged for a start, lest some fresh idea 
should enter the ever suspicious brains of our followers, 
and mar the expedition. 
It was difficult to procure porters, and I abandoned 
all that was not indispensable—our last few pounds of 
rice and coffee, and even the great sponging-bath, that 
emblem of civilization that had been clung to even 
when the tent had been left behind. 
On the 18th January, 1864, we left Shooa. The 
pure air of that country had invigorated us, and I was 
so improved in strength, that I enjoyed the excitement 
of the launch into unknown lands. The Turks knew 
nothing of the route south, and I accordingly took the 
