2 THE EXPLORATION OF THE NIGER

the dark continent. Perhaps the shedding of his blood

might then further the cause of that humanity of which he was the apostle.

More than any other, perhaps, the Niger district lends

itself to this idea of Dr. Earth's. There it is, on the banks of the river, fertilized by timely inundations, that

life appears to be concentrated. It is by following the streams and rivers, and crossing the lakes, that the forward march must proceed. The Niger, with its affluents and its lacustrine systems, still partially unknown, gives, even

when only seen on the map, the impression of an organ-

ism complete in itself. As in the human body, the blood-

vessels and the nerves carry the life and transmit the will of their owner, so does a mighty river with its infinite

ramifications, seem to convey to the remote confines of a continent, commerce, civilization, and those ideas of

tolerance and of progress which are the very life and soul

of a country.

To utilize this gigantic artery — and this is a task which we Frenchmen have undertaken, for, at the demand of France, these countries have been characterized as

under French influence — it was necessary first of all to know it.

It is to this task we have devoted ourselves, my com-

panions and I. Providence has aided us. Providence has

willed our success, in spite of difficulties of every kind.

We had the great joy of returning with ranks unbroken,

all safe and sound. Yet more rare, our journey did not

cost a single human life, not even amongst those who were

hostile to us and opposed our passage.

This I consider the greatest honour of the expedition of which I was in command.

Moreover, logic as well as humanity demanded that we

should, in every case, as far as possible pursue a pacific policy.