472 LETTERS TO DR. SCHWEINFURTH.

October 22, 1884.

However much I should lke to send you good news about ourselves, I cannot, alas! do more than inform you that we are still alive. Every day brings fresh and often contradictory reports, and this state of things will continue until a steamboat comes and satisfies our curiosity. Meanwhile I have transformed Lad6é into a very respectable fortress, with deep moats, high ramparts, bastions, drawbridges, &c. If we are to die at last, we will at least die the honourable death of soldiers. And I believe it is not far off. I dare not let my men know it, but really I have no longer much hope, especially as a later letter from Keremallah says that Khartum is besieged by the Mahdi in person, and has probably capitulated by this time. Private letters which have just come from Dufilé contain a curious tale,—according to the statements of Negroes who have come to Fatiko, a large body of English soldiers, in fine uniforms and well armed, have arrived at Kabréga’s residence on their way to us. Can this refer to Thomson or Fischer ? * November 26, 1884.

Parturiunt montes, &c. The English soldiers are transformed into a caravan of Zanzibar traders, who have come to Kabréga, as usual, to purchase ivory and slaves. JI have to thank Anfina’s men for this news. They have been sent to me by their chief to beg that the soldiers might return into his country, but this is, of course, impossible now. I have availed myself of the opportunity to write to Kabréga and Mtésa, and have enclosed letters containing news of us all to the French and English missionaries, as well as to the Hnglish Consul-General in Zanzibar, requesting them to inform our Government that up to the despatch of these letters (November 17) we were all well, though in great straits, and intended to defend ourselves to the last man. Jam certainly very doubtful if these letters will ever reach their destination, but I have done my duty, and if the Government in Cairo or Khartum * Joseph Thomson reached the north-east corner of the Victoria Lake in December 1884, whilst Dr. Fischer was there in December 1886.