TO CENTRAL AFRICA.

CHAPTER I.

Origin of the Missions--Its Objects and Plan--Preparations--Arrival at
Tripoli--Prussian Colleagues--Necessary Delay--The Boat for Lake
Tchad--Wind-bound--Anxieties at Tripoli--Correspondence with Mourzuk and
Ghat--Circular Letter of Izhet Pasha--Composition of the Caravan--An
aristocratic Interpreter--A Mohammedan Toper--The Chaouches--Free Blacks
returning to their Countries--Marabout--Camel-drivers--Rate of Desert
travelling--Trade of Tripoli with the Interior--Slavery--Caravans from
Central Africa--Details on Commerce--Promotion of legitimate
Traffic--Spread of Civilisation.

Since my return from a first tour of exploration in the Great Sahara I
had carefully revolved in my mind the possibility of a much greater
undertaking, namely, a political and commercial expedition to some of
the most important kingdoms of Central Africa. The plan appeared to me
feasible; and when I laid it in all its details before her Majesty's
Government, they determined, after mature consideration, to empower me
to carry it out. Two objects, one principal, necessarily kept somewhat
in the background--the abolition of the slave-trade; one subsidiary, and
yet important in itself--the promotion of commerce by way of the Great
Desert; appeared to me, and to the distinguished persons who promoted
the undertaking, of sufficient magnitude to justify considerable
sacrifices. Much preliminary discussion took place; but the impediments
and difficulties that naturally start up at the commencement of any
enterprise possessing the character of novelty were gradually overcome,
and in the summer of 1849 it was generally known that I was about to
proceed, by way of Tripoli and the Sahara, and the hitherto unexplored
kingdom of Aheer, to endeavour to open commercial relations and conclude
treaties with any native power so disposed, but especially with the
Sultan of Bornou. It was not thought necessary, however, to surround my
Mission with any circumstances of diplomatic splendour; and it was still
in the character of Yak[=o]b--a name already known throughout the
greater portion of the route intended to be traversed--that I proposed
to resume my intercourse with the Moors, the Fezzanees, the Tibboos, the
Tuaricks, and other tribes and peoples of the desert and the countries
beyond.

The various preparations for the expedition occupied a considerable time
before I could leave Europe; but I shall pass over all accoun