What Led to the Discovery of the Source of the Nile

What Led to the Discovery of the
Source of the Nile

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Source Of The Nile
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Title: What Led To The Discovery of the Source Of The Nile
Author: John Hanning Speke
Release Date: July, 2005 [EBook #8417] [This file was first posted on
July 8, 2003]

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Language: English
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LED TO THE DISCOVERY OF THE SOURCE OF THE NILE ***

This text results from the merging of two simultaneous submissions at
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What Led To The Discovery
of the
Source Of The Nile
by John Hanning Speke Captain H.M. Indian Army
Author of 'Journal of the Discovery of the Source of the Nile'

William Blackwood and Sons Edinburgh and London MDCCCLXIV

To The Memory of Lieutenant-General Sir Jas. Outram, Bart. G.C.B.
Who First Gave Me A Start In Africa, This History Is Respectfully
Inscribed.

Advertisement.

In offering this short connected history of my first two explorations in
Africa, I must state that I have been urged to do so by friends desirous
of knowing what led to the discovery of the source of the Nile. The
greater part of it was originally published in 'Blackwood's Magazine;'

but that lacked the connection which I have now given to the
conclusion of my independent journey to and from the Victoria N'yanza,
which is the great source or reservoir of the Nile. The manner in which
I traced the Nile down from the Victoria N'yanza to Egypt is explained
in my 'Journal of the Discovery of the Source of the Nile.'
J. H. Speke.

Contents. Journal of Adventures in Somali Land.

Chapter I
.
Introduction to the Journal.--Projects and hobbies--Life in India--Lord
Clyde and Sir James Outram--The position and physical geography of
the Somali country--The Nogal country, and historical
sketches--Costume and Customs.

Chapter II
.
The voyage--An Akil--The Somali shore--Sultan (Gerad) Mahamed
Ali--Hidden treasure--The Warsingali--A royal reception--Somali
appetites--Difficulties and impediments--Sultan tries my Abban or
protector.

Chapter III
.
Yafir Pass--Rhut Tug (River)--The ruins at Kin's city--Abban
apprehends future consequences--Hyenas--The Dulbahantas--Camel
drivers' tricks--Briny water--Antelope-shoooting--Elephant-hunting
--Ostrich-hunting--Gazelles--Jealousy and suspicions of the
people--Rapid decline of property.

Chapter IV

.
Meditations among the tombs--A fracas--The return march--The
north-east monsoon--Relief from persecution--Interesting
animals--Gori again--Shooting a woman--Arrival at Aden--Fresh
projects--Arrangements.

Chapter V
.
Aden--Departure--Kurrum--A conclave of sages--Arrangement of the
expedition--The south-west monsoon--Medical practice--The camp
besieged--Wounded and captive--A triumphal procession--Flight
Return to Aden and to England--Fresh projects there.

Journal of a Cruise on the Tanganyika Lake.

Chapter I
.
The Royal Geographical Society--The strange lake on the map--Set
off--Arrive at Zanzibar--A preliminary excursion--A sail along the
coast--The Pangani river--A jemadar's trick--Journey to
Fuga--Adventures--Return to Zanzibar--Scenes there--Objects of the
expedition--Recruiting for followers--The Cafila Bashi--The
start--Fevers--Discussions about the Mountains of the Moon and the
Victoria N'yanza--The Tanganyika.

Chapter II
.
Canoes--The crews--The biography of Bombay--The
voyage--Crocodiles--The lake scenery--Kivira island--Black
beetles--An adventure with one of them--Kasengé island--African
slavery.

Chapter III

Leave Tanganyika--Determine to visit the Ukéréwé lake, alias Victoria
N'yanza--Confusion about rivers running in and out--Idea that it is the
source of the Nile--Arrangements for the journey--Difficulties--The
march--Nature of the country--Formalities at the meeting of
caravans--A pagazi strike--A sultana--Incidents--Pillars of granite.

Chapter IV
First sight of the Victoria N'yanza--Its physical
geography--Speculations on its being the source of the Nile--Sport on
the lake--Sultans Machunda and Mahaya--Missionary accounts of the
geography--Arab accounts--Regrets at inability to complete the
discovery--The march resumed--History of the
Watuta--Hippopotamus-hunting--Adventures--Kahama.

Chapter V
General character of the country traversed--The huts--The
geology--Productions--Land of promise--Advice to
missionaries--Leave Ulekampuri--Return of the expedition--Register of
temperature.

Journal of