4 
In the Heart of Africa 
Askari were assigned to me on the assumption that they quitted 
the force in order to be enlisted in the troops of the expedition 
under similar conditions. In order to distinguish this body of 
men from the active colonial force and to convey them without 
let or hindrance to the Congo State, the head-dress ordinarily 
used by that body—the tarbouche with the company number— 
was taken from them and was substituted by a red fez. Khaki- 
coloured trousers were issued instead of the usual blue ones, 
and the men in charge were distinguished by blue,.yellow, and 
red badges. Only the ordinary arms were carried, but in addition 
to the regulation ammunition-pouches cartridge-belts were slung 
across the body. 
These Askari were selected by Lieutenant von Wiese from the 
Daressalam Company. Besides these, he recruited a number of 
“boys,” cooks, and general helpers. 
On the 21st of April Wiese left Daressalam for Mombasa 
with the military escort and the folk above mentioned. On his 
arrival he entered into negotiations for the transport of the 
goods expected from Europe in the beginning of May to Lake 
Victoria. These goods consisted for the main part of scientific 
instruments and apparatus, drugs and equipments of first-class 
quality, as well as cases of stores for the Europeans. The 
commissariat was apportioned in such a way that for every 
month each European received as his share one box of flour for 
baking bread, one box of preserved foods, and one containing 
mineral waters, etc. The various articles of barter required for 
different districts, comprising stuffs, pearls, caps, bright-coloured 
cloths, copper wire, knives, mirrors, and the woollen blankets 
intended for the colder districts, were purchased later on by 
Wiese. 
I. Scientific Apparatus 
(a) Geological — 
One large universal instrument for astronomical 
geodetical observations 
One photographic theodolite with two camera stands 
LOADS 
and 
2 
2 
