On this supposition I framed an estimate of the time to be occupied by the journey, and handed it, with a letter of instructions, to the Commandant of the Fort for his use:—
"Whereas the distance between Fort Bodo to the Nyanza is 125 miles, and has been performed in 288 hours' marching, or 74 days, inclusive of halts.
"Whereas we travelled the distance from Yambuya to Ugarrowwa's in 289 hours = 74 days. "Whereas Lieutenant Stairs marched from Ugarrowwa's to Fort Bodo in 26 days. —— 100 days. "Therefore our journey to Yambuya will probably occupy 100 days, and the same period back. From June 16th, 1888, to January 2nd, 1889, is 200 days. We may reasonably be expected on January 2nd at Fort Bodo, and on the 22nd of the same month at Lake Albert.
"Or thus: Starting June 16th, 1888:—
"Fort Bodo to Ugarrowwa's July 5th Thence to Avisibba July 25th Thence to Mupé Aug. 14th Thence to Yambuya Sept. 3rd Halt 10 days Sept.13th Return to Mupé Oct. 3rd Return to Panga Falls oct. 23rd Return to Fort Bodo Dec. 22nd Halt 5 days Dec. 27th Thence to Albert Nyanza Jan. 16th, 1889."
| "Whereas we travelled the distance from Yambuya to Ugarrowwa's in 289 hours = | 74 | days. |
| "Whereas Lieutenant Stairs marched from Ugarrowwa's to Fort Bodo in | 26 | days. |
| —— | ||
| 100 | days. |
| "Fort Bodo to Ugarrowwa's | July 5th | |
| Thence to Avisibba | July 25th | |
| Thence to Mupé | Aug. 14th | |
| Thence to Yambuya | Sept. 3rd | |
| Halt 10 days | Sept.13th | |
| Return to Mupé | Oct. 3rd | |
| Return to Panga Falls | oct. 23rd | |
| Return to Fort Bodo | Dec. 22nd | |
| Halt 5 days | Dec. 27th | |
| Thence to Albert Nyanza | Jan. 16th, | 1889." |
The last evening of my stay at Fort Bodo, while reciting over the several charges, general and personal, entrusted to him, Lieut. Stairs suggested that perhaps the non-arrival of the steamer Stanley at Yambuya 1888.
June 8.
Fort Bodo. accounted for the utter silence respecting the Rear Column. I then replied in the following terms:—
"That is rather a cruel suggestion, my dear sir; that is the least I fear, for as well as I was able I provided against that accident. You must know that when the Stanley departed from the Yambuya on the 28th of June, I delivered several letters to the captain of the steamer. One was to my good friend Lieut. Liebrichts, Governor of Stanley Pool district, charging him, for old friendship's sake, to despatch the steamer back as soon as possible with our goods and reserve ammunition.
"Another was to Mr. Swinburne, my former secretary, who was the soul of fidelity, to the effect that in case the Stanley met with such an accident as to prevent her return to Yambuya, he would be pleased to substitute the steamer Florida for her, as the owners were business men, and full compensation in cash, which I guaranteed, would find as ready an acceptance with them as profits from the ivory trade.
"A third letter was to Mr. Antoine Greshoff, the agent at Stanley Pool for the Dutch house at Banana, to the effect that, failing both steamers Stanley and Florida, he would find a large ready money profit if he would undertake the transport of the stores of the Expedition from Stanley Pool, and 128 men from Bolobo, to Yambuya. Whatever reasonable freight and fare he would charge, immediate payment was guaranteed by me.
"A fourth letter was to our officer in charge at Stanley Pool, Mr. John Rose Troup, to the effect that, failing the steamers Stanley, Florida, and Mr. Greshoff's, he was to use his utmost powers and means to collect boats and canoes, at whatever cost, ready at hand, and communicate with Messrs. Ward and Bonny at Bolobo. Mr. Ward at Bolobo was also enjoined to do the like in Uyanzi, and man these vessels with the Zanzibaris and natives, and transport by stages the various stores to the intrenched camp at Yambuya. This last would scarcely be needed, as it is extremely improbable that from June 28th, 1887, to June 16th, 1888—nearly 1888.
June 8.
Fort Bodo. twelve months—neither the Stanley, the Florida, nor Mr. Greshoff's steamer would be available for our service.