Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1864-06-28
Capt, speke at the Sources of the Nile.

The intelligent public Of America, as well
as oil Great Britain, were greatly excited last
year by the announcement OF the final dis.
covery Of the sources OF the Nile. Tuls great
achievement was due to the courage and per.
severance OF Two En!lisb officers.
Those who read the ragmentary accounts
then published OF the adventures OF these he.
roie travellers will be glad to get bold Of the
tull narrative as now given to he world TIE
jour al Of Capt. Speke has been pub iShed by
the Harpers 10 an octave volume, in a style
corresponding to that OF the volumes OF Birth
and Livingstone. The narrative is cue OF eveo
greater Interest as il leads US into field Of
discovery before untrodden. We have ihc
excited curiosity of stpdyn problem which
has baiiled geograp pliers from time mmemoria
aud the satisfaction OF having it at last tri.
umphaLtly solved. In this volume Capt. Soeke
tells the story. StaItiog from Zapzitar, be
followed the track oi Arab caravans west.
ward and north westward into the interior of
the African continent, exploring regions nth
erto unknown except by vague report, noting
the features OF the land aud the habits of the
people, battling his way against obstacles
seemingly insuperable till his abors aud trials
were crowned with that success which has Sc
cured for him the ronown which belongs to
great discoverer.
His journal presents Us one almost unbro.
ken experience OF hardship and disappoiut.
ment. The insubordnatlou oil his tnen, their
cowardice, deceit, and perpetual bickerugs,
the exsctons Of native chiefs, regardless alike
of justice or oil their own pledges, their utter
selishness the iusubordination aud anarchy
which prevailed among the native tribes, the
punderiDg Of lawless hOrdcs, no better than
bAndiui, the strange superstitions of the pc
Pile the ipcessant extor,ion and intrigue which
porpexed the traveller, and again aud again
reduced him to the verge Of despair-all these
served to set forth, in the most striking man.
ner, the resolute purpose the diplomatic tact,
aud indomitable energy of the fearless ex-
plorer Many time hls path seems perfectly
hcdged up. Nothing apparently is lett for
him but to turn back upon hls route aud
abandon project which he had cherished
with enthusiastic devotion. But 10 me un
expected way he obstacles are removed, and |
tho traveller prosecutes his journey only to
triumph again In new encounters,
At last Capt, Speke reaches karanguo, aud
ior he first time comes IN contact With al
African chief who seems possessed Of some
decent show oil seIt.respec, and some mOdlcum
OF honesty. Here, directly west of the great
Like Victoria Nyanra, aud within sight of
the Mountains OF tho Mooo, he rests while |
aud prepares to complete his great task. But
again advancing, he is delayed at Uganda, |
where the superstitiOus whlms aud childish |
caprice Of the native chiefs give him no little
annoyance. But once more released, he coasts
aolg the northern border of the lake till at
last be reaches Ihe outlet from which tho Nile |
commences its course.
Here, at last" he says, " stood GU the
brink Of the Nile. Most beautiful was the
scene nothing could surpass it. II was the
very perfection OF the kind of effect aimed at
in highly.kept park, with q magnificent
stream from SIX hundred TO seven hundred
yards wde dotted With isels aud rocks the
former occupied by hshermen's huts, tho lat.
tor by sterns aud crooOdlles basking in the sup,
flowing between Guo high grassy banks with
rich tire aud planlalns 10 tao background
wheIe herds oil the n'saoou snd harte. e.beost
could be seen grazing, while the hippopotami
were suorling 10 the water, aud aorlsau ani /
Guinea fowl rising at our leet.
Subsequently nc visited R'pon Fails some
d,tanoo below tho outlet Il lao lake. Here,
also the scenery was charning. | speu,