  As we already know, Emin was aware of Stanley’s approach from the south of the lake and sailed in that direction. But as he found no trace of the expedition there, he sent a messenger to the locality where he must come, requesting Stanley to remain where the messenger found him and he would meet him there. Stanley had still many dangers to meet after he and his people left the forest, and had several encounters with the hostile dwellers near the lake, besides being short of supplies and food. But the day came at last when the Albert Lake was at their feet, far stretching as a world sea. On the twenty-ninth of April, 1888, Stanley observed a dark object upon the lake too large to be the canoe of a native and soon a cloud of smoke was visible. It must be Emin Pasha’s steamer! Messengers were sent to the shore and about eight in the evening Emin, accompanied by enthusiastic demonstrations and firing, advanced to the camp, in company with Captain Casati. At last the great event, looked forward to with such anticipation and for which so many sacrifices had been made, was realized. Emin and Stanley were together. Both had accomplished an unusual thing, the one by patient labor, and brave endurance, in an almost untenable position; the other by his energy and invincible determination to bring help where help was so urgently needed. FIRST MEETING OF STANLEY AND EMIN PASHA Emin in his usual quiet manner said in excellent English: “I owe you a thousand thanks, Mr. Stanley, and I really do not know how to express them.” “Ah! you are Emin Pasha! Don’t mention thanks, but come in and sit down. It is so dark out here that we cannot see one another.” They entered the tent, which was illuminated by a wax light. Stanley beheld with astonishment (as he said afterwards) a man whom he might have taken for a professor of law as he sat there in his clean, nicely fitting snow-white attire. His face showed no trace of illness or anxiety, but bespoke good physical condition and a peaceful mind. Captain Casati, on the other hand, looked old, haggard, and worn with care. The two men occupied the greater part of the hours in conversation about the events of Stanley’s journey, European affairs, occurrences in the Equatorial Provinces, as well as personal matters. Stanley was surprised at Emin’s intimate knowledge of European events, which he had gathered from a few old newspapers that had found their way to him. The close of the joyous meeting was celebrated with a bottle of champagne Stanley had brought with him through the wilderness. On the next morning Stanley went with his Zanzibarites to the steamer where they were welcomed with music by the Pasha’s Soudanese, who stood in parade order on the shore. By the side of these stalwart figures Stanley’s lean and exhausted people seemed pitiful. Emin supplied the expedition as well as he could with shoes, garments, tobacco, salt, honey, corn and grain, which had been sent to him from Europe. They were exchanging rÔles. A disagreeable dark shadow obscured the joy which should have been complete. With absolute confidence in his lucky star, Stanley started the question about the return home in accordance with the request of the Khedive of Egypt. Emin stated his position as well as that of the majority of his officials. But the Soudanese already regarded with mistrusting hearts this expedition which had been so loudly praised by the governor and which they had looked upon as the source of their safety. Of what value were thirty chests of Remington cartridges? That was all that had been brought for Emin. They cared nothing for the situation in the Equatorial Provinces. Emin deeply felt the painful impression which the description of the wretchedness suffered and the difficulties in the way must make upon his people. He repeatedly urged Stanley to show himself to his people and to visit the adjacent provinces that could be reached by steamer. Stanley, however, declined, for he must depart at once to look after Major Bartelot and the reserve. An agreement was made that all those Soudanese and Egyptians who wished to return to Egypt should come together at Nssabe on the Albert Nyanza to await Stanley’s return with the rest of his people and the supplies left in Jambuja. Knowing the sure and unavoidable danger accompanying Stanley’s journey through the forest, they would take their way eastward to Zanzibar via Karagwe and Usukuma. To lighten the work of preparation for departure and to compensate for his refusal to show himself in the provinces, Stanley granted Emin’s request that an officer of the expedition might go back with him. Jephson was selected for this by no means easy position, and a letter was given him to the Khedive and his minister which read: “I am sending you one of my officers with instructions to read this to you. I am going back to bring my people and goods and settle upon the Nyanza. In a few months I shall be here again to listen to what you may purpose. If you say ‘We go to Egypt’ I will take them by a safe route. If you say ‘We will not leave the country,’ then I shall say farewell to you and go back with my own to Egypt.” Stanley made two other propositions. In case he and his people decided not to go back to Egypt he (Stanley) would go with him and his people to the northeastern corner of Victoria Lake, establish a residence there and a chain of stations to Mombasa—a plan which would certainly be frustrated by the hostility of the natives. At last Stanley offered to incorporate the Equatorial Provinces with the Congo Free State, provided an unbroken union could be secured to the west coast. The fate which attended the rescue expedition was sufficiently eloquent to spare a reply to either proposition. So Stanley took his way back through the gloomy forest and left Emin making preparations for his departure. |
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