Believe me, dear Pasha, Your most obedient servant, Henry M. Stanley. Commanding Relief Expedition His Excellency Emin Pasha, Governor of Equatorial Provinces, &c., &c., &c. [Illustration: MILK VESSEL OF THE WAHUMA.] During our halt at Kavalli several hundred natives from the districts round about paid us friendly visits, and the chiefs and elders tendered their submission to me. They said the country was mine, and whatever my commands might be, would be promptly done. By the ready way food was brought in, there was no reason to doubt their sincerity, though as yet there was no necessity to take it too literally. So long as we were not starving, nothing could happen to disturb the peaceful relations commenced with Mazamboni. According to my means each chief received a present of cloth, beads, cowries, and wire. Mbiassi furnished me with a quart of milk daily in a wooden bowl of this pattern. ----- [L] When, after reaching Zanzibar, I read Emin Pasha's letter to the Editor of Petermann's 'Mitteilungen' (see No. 4 of the 'Gotha Geog. Journal'), dated 25th March, 1888 (the same date that the above letter was written), which concluded with the significant words: "If Stanley does not come soon, we are lost," most curious thoughts came into my mind which the intelligent reader will find no difficulty in guessing. Happily, however, the Pasha kept his own secret until I was far away from Bagamoyo, and I was unable to inquire from him personally what were his motives for not coming to Kavalli, December 14th, 1887, the date he expected us; for remaining silent two months and a half in his own stations after that date, and then writing two such letters as the one above and that to Petermann's Magazine on the same date. CHAPTER XV. THE MEETING WITH EMIN PASHA. Our camp at Bundi--Mbiassi, the chief of Kavalli--The Balegga granaries--Chiefs Katonza and Komubi express contrition--The kites at Badzwa--A note from Jephson--Emin, Casati and Jephson walk into our camp at old Kavalli--Descriptions of Emin Pasha and Captain Casati--The Pasha's Soudanese--Our Zanzibaris--The steamer _Khedive_--Baker and the Blue Mountains--Drs. Junker and Felkin's descriptions of Emin--Proximity of Kabba Rega--Emin and the Equatorial Provinces--Dr. Junker's report of Emin--I discuss with Emin our future proceedings--Captain Casati's plans--Our camp and provisions at Nsabé--Kabba Rega's treatment of Captain Casati and Mohammed Biri--Mabruki gored by a buffalo--Emin Pasha and his soldiers--My propositions to Emin and his answer--Emin's position--Mahommet Achmet--The Congo State--The Foreign Office despatches.