"When I contrast the comparative comfort of my work with the miseries
you and other travellers have gone through, I have reason to be
thankful. Dr. Kraft talks of the River Dana--debouching into sea
under the name of river--as navigable from Mount Kenia. If so--and
rivers are considered highways and free to all flags--I would far
sooner have my frontier at Mount Kenia than descend to the lower lands.
"Believe me, with many excuses for troubling you,
"Yours sincerely,
"C. G. GORDON."
Burton, who possessed a great and personal knowledge of the Nile Basin
and the tribes inhabiting it, cordially answered Gordon's letter, giving
him full information and many valuable hints. Henceforward the two men
frequently corresponded, and got to know one another very well on paper.
The next letter of Gordon's which I am permitted to give was written the
following year:
"LARDO, October 12, 1876.
"MY DEAR CAPTAIN BURTON,
"Thank you for your letter July 13, which I received proceeding from the
Lake Albert to this place. I came down from Magungo here in eight days.
This is a great comfort to me, and I am proud of my road and of the
herds of cattle the natives pasture along either side of it without fear.
I have been up the Victoria Nile--viz. Lake Mesanga. It is a vast lake,
but of still shallow water.
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