CHAPTER XIII.

FIFTEEN MONTHS OF UNCERTAINTY.

Despatch from missionary at Matadi--Despatch from Zanzibar--Fresh relief expeditions--Telegram from Mr. Ward--The White Pasha on the Bahr-el-Ghazal--Communication from Dr. Junker--The Mahdi’s expedition against Emin--Supposed death of Casati--Osman Digna to General Grenfell--Omar Saleh’s report of the taking of Lado and the capture of Emin--The Stanley Expedition and the House of Commons--News from Stanley Falls--Safe!

On the 23rd of June 1887, five days before he left Yambuya, Stanley addressed a letter to Mr. William Mackinnon, which he concluded by saying: “As soon as we can get wood enough on board the _Peace_ and _Henry Reed_ to feed their furnaces for a few days, the steamers will be off, and our last chance of communicating with Europe for a few months will be gone.”

This letter arrived in Europe on the 20th of September 1887, and until the 21st of December 1888, an interval of fifteen months, there was no authentic news of the expedition. False reports of all kinds were put in circulation; never before had the story of African enterprise drawn forth such a profusion of hypothetical conclusions. At the very time when Stanley, with his advanced caravan, was making his way along the banks of the Aruwimi, the following telegram was sent to Europe:--

“S. THOMAS, _July 21, 1887_.

“According to a report received from a missionary at Matadi, Stanley has been killed in an engagement with the natives, about procuring food.”

Almost while the press was commenting on this information, the report of the Matadi missionary was supported by the announcement which found its way into publication, that Stanley’s steamer had stranded on a sand-bank on the upper river, that it had been attacked by the natives, and that the leader, with all the members of the expedition, had been massacred.

These tidings were reproduced in the newspapers of all parts of the world, so that by a considerable portion of the public Stanley was regarded as lost; his enterprise, it was argued, was too vast for human power; the terrible cannibals of the Aruwimi would never permit him to leave their territory alive; the country through which he was essaying to pass presented a series of swamps in which fever must be fatal; or even at best, if he should succeed in overcoming the difficulties of the way, he would be sure to fall a victim to the treachery of Tippoo Tib, that astute enemy whom he had been beguiled into establishing at the Falls, but who had long been looking for an opportunity to assassinate him!

On the 17th of August, another sensational paragraph appeared, emanating this time from the East Coast, and sent by M. Raffray, the French Consul at Zanzibar. It said that news had been brought from Nyangwé that Stanley, after having been betrayed by Tippoo Tib, had been attacked on the banks of the Aruwimi, and that he and his followers had all been murdered. That statement was a few days later corroborated by the _Figaro_, which specified June 28th as the day of the dreadful deed.

The report, thus become current, made the more profound impression because it seemed to come from an official source; but on further inquiry nothing appeared to confirm it; the French Consul had been misinformed by some traders who had come from the interior. Hope, therefore, again revived.

But altogether, it must be owned, these rumours were disquieting; the public confidence was shaken; and it began to be realised that Stanley’s position must be very critical, and that it was quite problematical whether he would ever succeed in reaching Emin. Consequently discussion was started as to the propriety of organising a fresh relief expedition which should proceed from the East Coast, a route which many maintained would prove far easier and quicker than that which Stanley had elected to take.

Meanwhile all messengers coming from the Congo to Europe had only the same uniform report to make: “No news of Stanley.”

The silence could not do otherwise than cause uneasiness. Public curiosity was aroused, and as Stanley himself supplied no information, it involuntarily sustained itself upon the sensational telegrams and reports, which although they were quite beside the mark, furnished some material for discussion.

Ere long communications were received simultaneously from Yambuya and from Wadelai, the former brought down to the coast by Mr. Ward, the latter furnished by a letter from Emin. Both were to the same invariable effect: “No news of Stanley.”

What could have happened? Where is he? What is he doing? Is he a prisoner? Is he dead? Some maintained that, like Hicks Pasha, he and all his people had been annihilated, and that nothing more would be heard of him; some as confidently affirmed that he must be hemmed in by the natives of the Aruwimi, and be without food or ammunition.

Neither at the headquarters of any of the geographical societies, nor by the Emin Relief Committee, did these pessimist conjectures obtain any credence.

Dr. Schweinfurth wrote: “There is no reason to be uneasy respecting Stanley’s fate.”

Dr. Junker’s verdict was: “The expedition is exposed to no risk on the part of the natives.”

Captain Wissmann’s message was: “I am sure that the expedition is not lost.”

And Captain von Gèle said: “Though perhaps reduced in numbers by a long rough march, Stanley and his men are assuredly in being, and we shall soon hear of their exploits.”

But these high authorities did not avail to allay the general misgiving. People remained incredulous, and it began to be circulated by telegrams and otherwise that fresh expeditions were being organised for the relief of the distressed explorer. Of these expeditions, however, nothing more was subsequently heard.

No doubt the letters received in Europe from Mr. Ward gave a somewhat unsatisfactory account of the situation at Stanley Falls and at the Aruwimi camp, and the comments of the press became more and more gloomy. Mr. Ward stated that the sole news which Major Barttelot had received of the expedition was from some deserters, who reported that the caravan had been attacked by the natives, and that Mr. Stanley had been wounded by an arrow. Several newspapers asserted that a still more serious state of things was being concealed.

At length, on June 17th, the _Gaulois_ announced that there had been received at Brussels official intelligence of Stanley’s death; and next day the _Journal des Débats_ confirmed the account of the disaster in an article to this effect:--

“A Paris journal to-day announces that official news of Stanley’s death has been received at Brussels. The truth of the report has been denied. Nevertheless the letters which we have ourselves received from Zanzibar leave little room for hope, and we believe that we are warranted in giving credence to the news. As collateral evidence, it is said that the families of the porters who accompanied the expedition have now been wearing mourning for several weeks. It is declared that Tippoo Tib is responsible for the catastrophe, as it is known that he was nurturing feelings of revenge against Stanley, and that he would take an opportunity of gratifying his enmity. Tippoo Tib is the real author of the disaster that has befallen the Emin Relief Expedition.”

On the same day the Brussels correspondent of the _Berliner Tageblatt_ wrote to corroborate the statements made by the Parisian press, by giving details of the effect produced by the news upon the members of the Free State Government in Brussels. What he said was to the following purport:--“The Congo Government now acknowledges that even if Stanley be not dead, at any rate he must be in imminent danger. His mission has completely failed, and his caravan is hopelessly dispersed. For a month past the officials have been aware of the desperate condition of things, which probably has some connection with the recall of M. Janssen, the Governor-General. All is consternation here. Negotiations are going on between the English and Congo Governments as to the propriety of sending out a fresh expedition. It is to be feared, however, that help must arrive too late.”

Yet what was the fact? All through this time the administrators of the Free State, however persistently they were interviewed by the Brussels reporters, adhered to the unchanging statement: “No news of Stanley.”

But now in the midst of these doubts and discrepancies, an announcement which appeared in the _Times_ gave a new direction to the discussion. Attention was drawn to unexpected quarters. The announcement in question was in substance as follows:--

“SUAKIN, _June 20th, 1888_.

“According to intelligence received by the military authorities from Berber and Khartoum, and confirmed by deserters from Osman Digna’s camp, a White Pasha has appeared in the Bahr-el-Ghazal district, and is advancing victoriously. The Khalifa Abdullah, the Mahdi’s successor, is said to be much alarmed. This White Pasha is probably Stanley.”

This strange and somewhat startling news was confirmed in a degree by later despatches. From Suakin, on July 18th, it was reported: “Some fakirs who are on pilgrimage to Mecca arrived here yesterday, and have said this morning that in passing through Darfur they heard that a large company of strangers, with a White Pasha at their head, were in the marshes of the Bahr-el-Ghazal; and further, that the population of Darfur had received them cordially, and was making preparation to join them in attacking the Mahdi.”

From Cairo, on July 23rd, it was heard that “a messenger from Omdurman reports that the Khalifa Abdullah has received news of the arrival of the White Pasha in the Bahr-el-Ghazal. Abdullah intends to march against him. The messenger adds that the White Pasha is Emin.”

Later on a telegram from Suakin, dated August 17th, contained further explanation: “The reports of the appearance of a white chief on the Bahr-el-Ghazal are confirmed. The chief is designated by the natives Etlu-Digu (King of Beards). His force is said to be considerable, and composed of half-naked men, probably Niam-niam or Denka. The man from whom I received the news avows its accuracy. The population of Khartoum is taken by surprise, and is in considerable alarm, being influenced by the belief that Etlu-Digu is no other than Stanley. The Mahdi is said to have despatched 5000 infantry and 200 cavalry to Fashoda, by way of Kordofan.”

And again from Suakin on August 20th:--“Some pilgrims who have arrived from Sokoro by the way of the Bahr-el-Ghazal report the appearance of a large force of white men in the Bongo country. The pilgrims left Bongo-land in February, after camping for four days with the white people, who were armed with Remington rifles.”

Thus it came to pass that all kinds of conjectures were rife about this White Pasha who, after establishing himself in the Bahr-el-Ghazal and making alliance with the people of Darfur, was now about making an offensive movement against the Arabs. Who was this Pasha? Whence came this bold adventurer into Lupton Bey’s former province? Was it Stanley? Was it Emin?[6]

In order to throw some light upon the matter which had thus kept the Suakin telegraph in activity, Dr. Junker wrote, in July, to the Gotha _Mitteilungen_, that a messenger who had left Khartoum on the 25th of May, had arrived in Cairo, and stated that he had been an eye-witness of the preparations that the Mahdi had been making, during the previous two months, for a great attack upon the Egyptian Government in the southern provinces. It was stated, moreover, that the expedition was to consist of about 4000 men, and would be conveyed in four steamers formerly belonging to Gordon, and by a number of ordinary boats.

This communication caused a good deal of excitement, both amongst Emin’s friends and the general public, and the dismay was considerably increased when ten days later a Reuter’s telegram announced that at the beginning of April Emin Pasha’s position had become exceedingly critical, inasmuch as on the 12th an envoy from the Mahdi had summoned him to surrender.

A despatch like this could not fail again to set all manner of sinister rumours afloat. Some English newspapers announced, that according to information sent from the Congo by Mr. Ward, Major Barttelot had sent out detachments of troops from the Aruwimi camp to reconnoitre Stanley’s advance-route, and that the men brought back the tidings that the way was strewn with human bones.

On the 12th of October the _Standard_ published a notice, detailing the circumstance of Casati’s death: “All Emin’s communications,” it ran, “with the East Coast have been cut off by the hostility of Kabrega, King of the Unyoro, who ordered both the Tripoli merchant, Mohammed Biri, and Captain Casati, to be killed.”

Within three weeks afterwards, _L’Echo du Nord_, published at Lille, circulated a statement that the President of the Lille Geographical Institute had received intelligence of the death of Stanley, who had been massacred with all his followers, two porters alone escaping.

Another month had hardly passed when the Suakin telegraph again took up the dismal tale, and matters seemed to be looking more and more gloomy, as the particulars given became more precise, and were forwarded on the authority of the English officers on the Red Sea.

The account already mentioned, as appearing in the Gotha _Mitteilungen_, and declaring that an expedition was being organised against Emin Pasha, so far aroused the interest of Colonel Rundle, the Governor of Suakin, that in the hope of obtaining accurate information he sent a special message of inquiry direct to the Mahdi.

The answer was not long in coming; it was a letter sent by Osman Digna himself, as chief of the forces of the Mahdi before Suakin; it was addressed to General Grenfell, the Commander of the English garrison; its language was to this effect:--

“In the name of the great and merciful God, this is sent by Osman Digna to the Christian who is Governor at Suakin.

“Let me inform you that a short time ago Rundle sent me a letter to ask about the man who is ruling in the Equatorial province.

“On receiving this letter I sent at once to the Khalifa, who informs me that the troops there have made prisoners of the governor and of a traveller who was with him. Both of them are now in irons and in the hands of our chief.

“The whole province has now submitted to us, and the inhabitants make allegiance to the Mahdi. We have captured all their arms and ammunition; we have carried off all the officers to the Khalifa, who received them well, and they are now living with him. They have given up all their flags.

“You may tell Rundle, therefore, what has become of the governor.

“I subjoin copies of the letters which have been sent by our chief to the Khalifa, and by Tewfik to the governor aforesaid.

“I send also, that you may see it, some of the ammunition that has been brought from the Equator.

“I pray God to give victory to the believers and destruction to the infidels.

“OSMAN DIGNA.”

Enclosed were the transcripts of the two letters. The one from the Mahdist chief who was asserted to have made himself master of the province was in this form:--

“In the name of the great and merciful God:--This letter is written by one of the lowliest servants of Allah to the Chief Khalifa. We advanced with the steamers and reached the town of Lado, where Emin, the Mudir of the Equator, had his quarters. We arrived there on the 25 Safar 1306.

“We owe our thanks to the officers and soldiers who made our victory easy. Before our arrival they had captured Emin and a traveller who was with him, and had put them in irons. The officers and men refused to go to Egypt with the Turks.

“Tewfik sent to Emin a traveller called Stanley. By Stanley he sent a letter to Emin, ordering him to go back with Stanley. To the rest of the forces he gave the option of going to Cairo, or remaining where they were. They refused to obey the Turkish orders and received us joyfully.

“I also send a copy of the letter which was written by Tewfik to Emin; and I send besides the flags which we have taken from the Turks.

“I understand that another traveller had arrived to join Emin, but that he has left again. I am seeking for him, and if he returns, I shall certainly take him prisoner.

“I have found all the chief officers and residents delighted to receive us.

“I have taken all the arms and ammunition.

“I instruct you to send back to me the officers and the head commissioners when you have seen them and given them your directions. They will be of service to me.

“OMAR SALEH.”

The excitement caused by news such as this may well be imagined. In the House of Commons on the 14th of December the First Lord of the Treasury, in reply to a question, confirmed the report that General Grenfell had received a communication from Osman Digna purporting to inform him of the capture of Emin and Stanley at Lado; and for a couple of days the alleged disaster was the prominent event that engaged the public attention. The news now, it was presumed, did not depend upon any despatch of questionable authority, but might be taken as authentic. After Dr. Junker’s announcement that an expedition was about to leave Khartoum for Lado in May or June, it was not at all impossible for Emin to be made a prisoner in October; as for Stanley, his having joined Emin was equally likely, since Osman professed to have a letter from the Khedive addressed to Emin, and it was known, as matter of fact, that Stanley had been the bearer of such a letter from Cairo.

But if the suspense was great, it was soon over.

An interval of fifteen months had elapsed in which the telegraph had never transmitted any but dubious or mournful messages, when suddenly a voice was heard that proclaimed the real condition of affairs. That voice was Stanley’s own.

In the House of Commons, just a week after Mr. W. H. Smith had spoken of the letter to General Grenfell, Mr. Goschen asked leave to read a telegram that had just been received by Reuter’s agency. Silence ensued, and he read as follows:--

“S. THOMAS, _December 21, 1888_.

“Letters from Stanley Falls, dated August 21, 1888, state that on the previous day a letter had been received from Stanley, announcing that he was at Banalya, on the Aruwimi. He had left Emin Pasha eighty-two days previously in perfect health, and well supplied with provisions. He had retraced his steps in order to bring up his rear company and their loads. He had arrived at Banalya on the 17th of August, and expected to start again in ten days to rejoin Emin. All the white men belonging to the expedition were well.”

The communication coming so speedily and so opportunely after the previous alarming reports was received with unbounded enthusiasm. The whole House rose to its feet and cheered for joy. Stanley was free!

It was now plain that Stanley could not be the Mahdi’s prisoner, because on the 17th of August he was only a few days’ march from the Falls, and the news of his capture was manifestly false. Was there not, therefore, reason to hope that Emin was also at liberty, and that none of Osman Digna’s assertions were to be received as trustworthy?

Confirmation of the happy tidings was not wanting. The next day a telegram was received from M. Ledeganck, the vice-governor of Boma, addressed to the Central Committee at Brussels:--

“S. THOMAS, _December 22, 1888_.

“Tippoo Tib has had a letter from Stanley, dated Bonalya, August 17. Stanley was well. He had left Emin at the Nyanza eighty-two days before. Emin had sufficient provisions; he was in good health, and Casati too. He announced his intention of taking up his loads from Yambuya and returning to Emin.”

Thus by the two brief telegrams now received all the misgivings and uncertainty of the last fifteen months were set at rest. The expedition had accomplished its design. Stanley had made his way and joined Emin Pasha. Only when this was done had he retraced his steps to bring up the residue of his caravan.

The details of this heroic march and of his meeting with Emin have been given by Stanley in a report sent to the Relief Committee in London, and in a letter addressed to the Royal Geographical Society. A _résumé_ of them will form the substance of the two succeeding chapters.