26 OPPOSITION OF THE EGYPTIAN AUTHORITIES, [ c h a p . i.
try, and required a powerful force of well-armed men."
For the traders there was no great difficulty, as they
took the initiative in hostilities and had fixed camps
as “ points d’appui,” hut for an explorer there was no
alternative hut a direct forward march without any
communications with the rear. I had but slight hope
of success without assistance from the authorities in
the shape of men accustomed to discipline ; I accordingly
wrote to the British consul at Alexandria, and
requested him to apply for a few soldiers and boats
to aid me in so difficult an enterprise./ After some
months’ delay, owing to the great distance from
Khartoum, I received a reply, inclosing a letter from
Ismael Pasha (the present Viceroy), the regent during
the absence of Said Pasha, refusing the application.
I confess to the enjoyment of a real difficulty.
From the first I had observed that the Egyptian
authorities did not wish to encourage English explorations
of the slave-producing districts, as such examinations
would be detrimental to the traffic, and would
lead to reports to the European governments that
would ultimately prohibit the trade ; it was perfectly
clear that the utmost would be done to prevent my
expedition from starting. This opposition gave a
piquancy to the undertaking, and I resolved that
nothing should thwart my plans. Accordingly I set
CHAP. i.] PREPARATIONS FOR SAILING. 27
to work in earnest. I had taken the precaution to
obtain an order upon the Treasury at Khartoum for
what money I required, and as ready cash performs
wonders in that country of credit and delay, I was
within a few weeks ready to start. I engaged three
vessels, including two large noggurs or sailing barges,
and a good decked vessel with comfortable cabins,
known by all Nile tourists as a diahbiah.
The preparations for such a voyage are'no trifles.
I required forty-five armed men as escort, forty men as
sailors, which, with servants, &c. raised my party to
ninety-six. The voyage to Gondokoro, the.navigable
limit of the Nile, was reported to be from forty-five to
fifty days from Khartoum, but provisions were necessary
for four months, as the boatmen would return to
Khartoum with the vessels, after landing me and my
party. In the hope of meeting Speke and Grant’s
party, I loaded the boats with an extra quantity of
corn, making a total of a hundred urdeps (rather exceeding
400 bushels). I had arranged the boats to
carry twenty-one donkeys, four camels, and four
horses; which I hoped would render me independent
of porters, the want of transport being the great difficulty.
The saddles, packs, and pads, were all made
under my own superintendance; nor was the slightest
trifle neglected in the necessary arrangements for