New Plans
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.