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that civilization had not its chosen abode there rather
than in Europe?--Perhaps!--And then, couldn't one wait
a little longer?--The trip across Africa would certainly
be accomplished some day, and in a less hazardous manner.--
In another month, or in six months before the year
was over, some explorer would undoubtedly come in--etc., etc.

These hints produced an effect exactly opposite to
what was desired or intended, and the doctor trembled
with impatience.

"Are you willing, then, wretched Dick--are you willing,
false friend--that this glory should belong to another?
Must I then be untrue to my past history; recoil before
obstacles that are not serious; requite with cowardly
hesitation what both the English Government and the
Royal Society of London have done for me?"

"But," resumed Kennedy, who made great use of that
conjunction.

"But," said the doctor, "are you not aware that my
journey is to compete with the success of the expeditions
now on foot? Don't you know that fresh explorers are
advancing toward the centre of Africa?"

"Still--"

"Listen to me, Dick," and cast your eyes over that map."

Dick glanced over it, with resignation.

"Now, ascend the course of the Nile."

"I have ascended it," replied the Scotchman, with
docility.

"Stop at Gondokoro."

"I am there."

And Kennedy thought to himself how easy such a trip
was--on the map!

"Now, take one of the points of these dividers and let it rest
upon that place beyond which the most daring explorers have
scarcely gone."

"I have done so."

"And now look along the coast for the island of Zanzibar,
in latitude six degrees south."

"I have it."

"Now, follow the same parallel and arrive at Kazeh."

"I have done so."

"Run up again along the thirty-third degree of longitude
to the opening of Lake Oukereoue, at the point where
Lieutenant Speke had to halt."

"I am there; a little more, and I should have tumbled
into the lake."

"Very good! Now, do you know what we have the
right to suppose, according to the information given by
the tribes that live along its shores?"

"I haven't the least idea."

"Why, that this lake, the lower extremity of which is
in two degrees and thirty minutes, must extend also two

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