370 Seven Years in the Soudan.

CHAPTER XL.

CAPTAIN f'ASATI.

The small farm on the Lake of Come — Captain Casati — Schweinfurth and the Monbuttu — King Ibio — Gilts to Mdamnia — IJeposc — The Guinea worm — Atrocious sufferings — Everyone infected — The Horbans of IJesegat — Letter to Dr. Junker — Eniin Bey incai)ahle of governing hi.s province.

" Meshra, " 16th March, 1880.

" To the Editor of the Es2)Ioratore.

" My greatest y\sh, if God permit me to see Italy again, would be to purchase a small farm either at Como or at Naples. But this is a course which I shall take later on. When I have established my family, and made enough money to assure their future, it is ver}' probable that I shall return to Africa, where there will always be a great deal to do, and whither I am drawn by a strange fatality. Accustomed as I am to live in the forests, with the chase and violent emotions for my only recreation, I coald not easily adapt myself to European life. But still I count upon seeing my family again towards tlie end of this year.

" They say that the present Viceroy is not welldisposed towards Europeans, and the numerous dismissals of European officials ])rove this. What will become of the Soudan? Will all my eiforts be in vain ? Will these poor people who have beheld the sunshine of liberty, be once more persecuted and led into slavery?

" May the Government of Cairo cherish no illusions !