lO 
In the Heart of Africa 
Ombascha (corporals), 2 ^oXiri^-Ombascha^ and 25 Askari; 
20 European “boys,” 10 assistant “boys,” 4 cooks, 4 kitchen 
“boys,” 5 assistants to prepare specimens, 34 native soldiers, 
33 “boy” carriers, 2 interpreters, 300 carriers for the Euro¬ 
pean loads, 200 carriers for the ammunition, barter-goods, 
followers’ stores, water, instruments, photographic materials, 
collections, reserve loads, etc., etc. 
In the meantime I had not been inactive in Europe. The 
undertaking having been placed on a sound basis, the responsible 
task of obtaining the necessary equipment was proceeded with. 
I'he experience I had gained on several smaller previous expedi¬ 
tions stood me in good stead. During the time that I was 
hurrying from store to store, giving orders and testing the goods 
delivered, my correspondence accumulated to such an extent 
that I was only able to cope with it and answer the numerous 
questions asked by dictating the replies. At the same time I 
found it necessary to hold a series of conferences with the 
representatives of the scientific institutions interested and various 
members of the expedition, the majority of whom had not 
previously travelled in Africa. 
I breathed freely at last, when, during the first week of April, 
the large number of packages had been put together and were 
shipped at Hamburg. 
Having received two years’ furlough I formally gave up the 
duties of major, which I had fulfilled for two years on the staff 
of the Second Dragoon Regiment of Guards, a regiment which 
had grown very dear to me. My regimental comrades, however, 
as well as numerous other Berlin acquaintances, rivalled each 
other in their efforts to make my last few evenings pleasant ones. 
I left Berlin with Raven on the 9th of May. A large number 
of friends and acquaintances accompanied us to the railway 
station, and the last few minutes in the Home country were spent 
in animated conversation. 
