  Owing to the strenuous labors of the suffering victim for a year past and the shock to his nerves, Emin’s recovery was slow. It was only due to the watchful care of the German physicians, who firmly opposed his removal, that the accident did not have worse consequences. Major Wissmann, Lieutenant Schmidt, and all the German officers rendered most valuable assistance, and when Emin had recovered sufficient strength to get about again he felt as if he had returned home after a long journey. This feeling first came to him when he saw the German flag waving from the bastion of Mpapua, for the fatherland, as it were, had come to meet him. Emin had not gone to Germany, but Germany had come to Africa. There arose in his soul a longing to serve the fatherland in the foreign world. He gave the matter serious thought, however, before coming to any conclusion. First of all, he was an Egyptian subject, but the Khedive, as he was aware, had little for him to do. He was a governor without a province and in Alexandria or Cairo he would only spend a scanty pension in idleness while still feeling young and active. During the return march Stanley had repeatedly proposed to Emin that he should enter the service of British East Africa. That company would certainly have appreciated the service of such an experienced man, but it did not altogether suit him. He would travel with Stanley to Egypt and back to England to raise the necessary funds and associates in the undertaking, but he was not altogether pleased with Stanley’s company. He had been hurt several times by the stern and regardless action of the American. Perhaps Emin was not entirely free from blame. His own irresoluteness had often induced Stanley to adopt a very firm attitude, but whatever their relations were, their continuance was no longer desired by him. It was Emin’s dearest wish to remain in German East Africa, where he had been so cordially treated, and devote his service to the fatherland. To one of his retiring nature the idea of exhibiting himself in Europe was not attractive. He certainly would have received ovations everywhere. He would have been wined and dined and honors would have been showered upon him. But what did he care for them? His nature revolted against making an exhibition of himself and of becoming a central figure in celebrations. He would rather remain in Africa with his savages and collect beetles and bird skins. His thirst for knowledge was not to be appeased. |
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