The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-03-02
EXPLORING THE NILE.


COL. LONGS NAVIGATION OF THE VICTORIA
NYANzA-AN UNKNOWN PART OF THE
NILE.
The New York Tribune contains the fol-
lowing summary of the work performed in
Africa by Col. Longs expedition: There has
been received by Chief Ju'tice DAILY, presi-
dent of the American Geographical So
ciety, letter from Col. Charles c. Long.
chief OF staff under Col. Gordon in the
army of the khedive of Epypt. Col.
Gordon writes concerning his navigation of
the Victoria Nysnza, which he claims to be
one of the sources OF the Nile and his oh.
servations in the country of Uganda The
letter is dated at Gendokoto, Central Africa.
Oct. 26, 1874, and its most important parts
are the folio wing: On the oath of April I re-
ceived an order FROM Col. Gordon to visit
Mise at Uganda, carry him presents,
and acquaint myself with the couu-
try. The rainy season had commenced
and the always difficult route was
made more difficult sill. Fifty eight DAYS
of painful marching and / arrived weary
and footsore, upon the hills of Uganda. The
palace of the great African King Mite faced
me upon the brow of hill 500 PAGES distant
The roads before me were broad and well
swept. The mountains that stood between me
and the Victoria Nyanzs, the vast banana for
ests, the fat, pestiferous marsh of UDyoro
pomp and circumstance with which Mise
received me was both ludicrous and
cruel. He is thirty-tive years of age, tall and
bears himself every inch king. He has a
good figure. I can hardly reconcile his
character with his barbaritY remained 90
visits to him were honored by the killing of
| eight or ten of his subjects on each occasion.
Although thus cruel, 1 claim for Mise 6
higher intelligence than that shown by any
other African prince. He, however, resisted
my desire to return by the Victoria Nile.
But L was stubborn, and ultimately sue
ceeded. On July IA, although suffering
| from long continued dystentery, visited
| the Victoria Nysnza, three hours TO Muir
Gibson creek. / was met by 1000 Of NJ 1se's
warriors
IN CANOES OF BARK
of native tree, sewed together and or
namented by the head and antlers of the
tetel. Down Marchison creek and out upon
the lake was escorted by this numerous
suite. found the lake 25 to so feet in depth,
and from II to Is miles across. It might be
double that distance. And although L Wis
tied the right shore found no traces of
shells and no tide marks to disturb this one
source of the Nile. 1 had intended to pass
from the lake via Ripon Falls to Urondogani.
| / had to abandon the project and re-
turn to Mise, to whom l again made my
1
July. After much suffering arrived, after
a march Of 20 days, when under ordinary
| circumstances it could be accomplished in
three or four days. The native chiefs OPP
posed me because had closed the wall TO
| Zanzibar, and had received the assurance OF
| Mise that all ivory should in future pass
via GondOkoro, and down the Nile. On the
| 18th of August, in north latitude 10 30', a
high mountain on my right, entered a
large basin or lake. The bed of the
river here loses ITSELF was
beset by storms, and without COM
pass. was As hours struggling to find
my way in this lake, which is at least 20
to % miles wide, wholly unable to percei We
land on either side. Finally, the storm
abating, 1 again resumed my Journey. This
lake seems not alone the reservoir of the
waters of the Lake Victoria Nyanza, but oil
the waters of the plateau, the great water
shed extending southwark. Almost per-
petual rains Except in July and August)
fall and I'LL this basin to an Unreasonable
depth, and when the waters get too high
they break through the channel and, per-
haps, this accounts for the periodical
inundstion of tho Nile. August
III 1 arrived near M'Roodi,
where was attscked by 400 men OF Kebs
Regas in canoes. / defeated them after a
severe fight. The river then from Karuma
to Foweira 10 Urondogsni is nayigable even
| for ships like the Great Eastern. Resuming
my march northward the 18th of September
1 arrived at Gondokoro the 18th OF October.
The results of my expedition wers-ip
Uganda had induced Mise to close the
road to Zanzibar In the interest of Egypt's
monopoly ofivory. had found a new route
to Gondokoro. L had explored the Victoria
| Nyanza. 1 had navigated the unknown
| Nile from Forweira to Karuma Falls. Mise
gave me information of Lieut.. Cameron,
who was there July 10. 1874 still at Ujiji.
| D--
The associated coal companies have not
yet concluded their arrangements for next
seasons trade, but a prominent officer of
one company says that the companies in
tend to fix the price of coal during the COM
/ ing season as high as providence will per-
nit, and as low as necessity shall compel