Owing to the unfitness of the steamers, the larger part of the baggage had been left behind and was to be brought through the forests by Tippoo Tib’s carriers. Stanley was eager to advance, for the last he heard from Emin was the words, “If Stanley does not come soon, we shall be lost.” He therefore decided to go ahead with the best of his men, leaving a rearguard at Jambuja under Major Bartelot. The major was assigned the unenviable duty of awaiting the arrival of the baggage and carriers with two hundred sick and crippled men on his hands, and then follow Stanley by routes which would be marked out for him. Greatly to his consolation, Lieutenant Jameson was left with him. Jephson and Dr. Parke were with the advance. Many hands were busied with preparations for departure and then the horn gave the signal for advance. Stanley took the lead, with Lieutenant Nelson in the rear, to prevent straggling.
“Which way is it, guide?” asked Stanley of a tall naked man with a magnificent helmet, such as the Greeks used to wear.
“This way, which leads to the sunset,” he replied.
“How many miles is it to the next village?”
“God only knows,” was the answer.
“Is there no village or country in any direction?”
“Not one that I know of.”
This was all known by the most knowing one in the expedition.
“Now then, forward in God’s name. May God be with us! Keep to the course along the river until we find a road.”
“Bismillah!” shouted the carriers. The trumpets of the Nubians blew the signal “forward,” and shortly after this the head of the column disappeared in the dense thickets on the outer limits of the forests of Jambuja.