_February 8th._--Weather grows warm. Ther. Fah. 74° at 8 A.M. in Captain's cabin. My European servant asked me if this was the Red Sea through which we were sailing. "Yes," I replied. "Well, sir, it looks more like a black sea than a red one," was his profound remark.
_February 12th._--Reached Aden at 2 A.M. We now change steamers. _Navarino_ proceeds to Bombay. The B.I.S.N. steamer _Oriental_ takes us to Zanzibar. On board the latter steamer we met Major Barttelot. Cabled to Zanzibar following:--
"Your telegram very gratifying. Please engage twenty young lads as officers' servants at lower rate than men. We leave to-day with eight Europeans, sixty-one Soudanese, two Syrians, thirteen Somalis. Provision transport steamer accordingly."
The first-class passengers include self, Barttelot, Stairs, Jephson, Nelson, Parke, Bonny, Count Pfeil, and two German companions bound for Rufiji River.
_February 19th._--Arrived off Lamu at 3 P.M. Soon after S.S. _Baghdad_ came in with Dr. Lenz, the Austrian traveller, who had started to proceed to Emin Bey, but failing, came across to Zanzibar instead. He is on his way home. Having failed in his purpose, he will blame Africa and abuse the Congo especially. It is natural with all classes to shift the blame on others, and I feel assured Lenz will be no exception.
_February 20th._--Arrived at Mombasa. Was told that a great battle had been fought lately between the Gallas and Somalis. The former are for the Germans, the latter are declared enemies to them. We also hear that Portugal has declared war against Zanzibar, or something like it.
Best place for commercial depot is on right hand of northern entrance, first point within harbour; it is bluffy, dips sheer down into deep water, with timber floated along base of bluff, and long-armed derricks on edge of bluff, steamers might be unloaded and loaded with ease. Cocoa-nut palms abundant. Good view of sea from it. If Mombasa becomes an English port--as I hope it will shortly--the best position of new town would be along face of bluff fronting seaward on island just where old Portuguese port is; a light railway and some draught mules would land on train all goods from harbour.
_February 22nd._--Arrived at Zanzibar. Acting Consul-General Holmwood warmly proffered hospitality.