The Meeting at the Lake
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.
[Illustration: _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 roles. 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.