At last, on the sixth day, Stanley decided to set out with a small number of his people in search of food, leaving Bonney to care for the sick and exhausted. He left a scant stock of provisions for them, but there was no other way to save them. Sixty-five men and women and twelve boys went with him. They marched until evening and then threw themselves upon the ground to rest. No fire was kindled as they had nothing to cook. Few of them slept. Frau Sorge (“mistress anxiety”) occupied the camp and filled their minds with visions of suffering, despair, and death. When the darkness began to disappear and light fell upon the outstretched groups, Stanley, mustering up courage, shouted: “Up, lads, up! To the bananas! Up! If God so wills, we will have bananas to-day.” In a few minutes the camping place was deserted and the weary ones were once more on their way, some limping because of their hurts, some hobbling because of sores, and others stumbling because of weakness. At last Stanley heard a murmuring sound and suddenly saw a great abundance of green fruit. In a trice all weakness and every trace of despair disappeared. English and Africans, Christians and heathen, each in his own language, shouted “God be praised.” Fire was quickly kindled, the green fruit was cooked, and an enjoyable meal gave them strength for their return. In an hour they were on their way back to the camp of hunger, which they reached at half past two in the afternoon. They were given a welcome such as only the dying can give when their rescue is sure. Then all, young and old, forgot the troubles of the past in the joy of the present and agreed to be more careful in future—until the next time. Chapter XIII Fresh Troubles At last Fort Bodo was reached and there fortunately Stanley found all well and hoped that troubles were at an end. In the eight months of his absence he expected that Emin Pasha would certainly be ready to take his departure, and that the united company could enter upon its journey to the coast without delay. He impatiently waited daily news from the Pasha, for he must certainly be in camp by the lake with his people in the neighborhood of the storehouse which he had engaged to erect. At last a messenger came from Kavalli and Stanley learned what we have already learned. The news occasioned him bitter disappointment and a feeling of dread. The letter read: Dufile, 6. 11. 88