Summary

In “An Old Enemy,” Burton’s lust for adventure was on full display as the caravan departed for Africa’s interior. The complexities of the local political arrangements were largely unknown to Burton and Speke, although they did understand the constant looming threat of violence. Burton bemoaned the institution of slavery, and used a local medicine man to obtain a prophecy about the expedition. Soon after, he learned that his friend and ally, Hamerton, had passed away. Members of his caravan began to desert him, the environment ruined their navigation tools, their pack animals died constantly, their food supply ran short, and most of them suffered from crippling illnesses. Bombay’s cool demeanor and healthy humor was responsible for raising the morale of the remaining men, despite the fact that their progress was dishearteningly slow and difficult. Both Burton and Speke were in...