Preface. vii

to the Albert Lake. Chippendale and Watson had indeed reached Wadelai, but insuperable difficulties

had compelled them to retire, and the great problem of whether the Nile really flowed out of the Albert Lake remained still unsolved.

Gessi set out for Dufile, ascended the Nile on two iron boats, and found its outlet in the Mwutan

Lake, the circumnavigation of which he accom-

plished in forty days, returning to Dufile without having lost a single man.

Such an exploration, made with scanty means and such boldness among hostile peoples, navigating in the most dangerous season that tropical tempestuous lake in small and fragile sailing and rowing boats, awakened at the time the admiration of all the

geographical world. It was one of the most im-

portant explorations of our century. After this journey the geographers could finally lay down on the map the hydrographical system of the Nile, hitherto very uncertain.

The reader will learn from the memorials the

reasons why Gessi, after such signal services, re-

signed his appointment as Captain in the Egyptian army and returned home.

But our friend was not a man for European life. He returned to Egypt, organized a large expedition to ascend the Sobat, a river the course of which still remains unknown, and which has great importance for the protectorate of Galla. But all his baggage

and scientific instruments fell a prey to fire at the station of Suez, perhaps by the hands of Mussulman fanatics, our friend thus losing property of about

30,000 francs in value, the result of his savings. But he was not disheartened on this account ; he returned to his native country, and was presented by me to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Italy, from whom he received material aid and encourage-

ment. Count Telfener of Rome, and Gonzales at Paris also contributed generous offerings for a new