XVI INTRODUCTION. before he succeeded in reaching Zanzibar. Europe was stirred by his appeal, and this time, without hesitation or delay, England undertook to organise an expedition of relief. But the difficulty was great: the obstacles were many. What forces would be requisite to break through the enemies by which Emin was en vironed ? What route towards Wadelai should be chosen ? The hordes of the Mahdi barred all access from the north ; the warlike Masai and the battalions of Uganda held the east and the south; the regions to the west were utterly unknown. Beyond all there lay the further question as to who should be the leader of such an enterprise. The way into the heart of that mysterious region was over mountains and valleys, through deserts, virgin forests and marshes, amidst savage and relentless tribes, beneath the rays of the equa torial sun. Who should be found competent to conduct a caravan made up of numerous and pro miscuous followers, equally ready to quarrel with nature and with their fellows, yet indispensable for the conveyance along that weary route of the double cargo of victuals, ammunition, and supplies ? The answer was forthcoming. Then it was that