On the 30th the eagerly-expected messenger arrived. He was a native of Kilmaine, a town by the delta of the Zambesi. A merchantman from the Mauritius, trading in gum and ivory, had landed on that coast early in July, and delivered the despatches for the missionaries. The papers were dated two months back, for the native had taken four weeks to ascend the Zambesi. On the arrival of the messenger, the principal of the mission had handed to Colonel Everest a bundle of European newspapers, chiefly the _Times_, the _Daily News_, and the _Journal des Débats_. The intelligence they contained had, under the circumstances, a special importance, and produced an unexpected emotion among the entire party. The members of the Commission were altogether in the chief room of the mission. Colonel Everest drew out the _Daily News_ for the 13th of May, with the intention of reading aloud to his colleagues. Scarcely had he glanced at the first leading article, when his brow contracted, and the paper trembled in his hand. In a few moments he recovered his usual composure. "What does the paper say, Colonel?" asked Sir John. "It is grave news, gentlemen," said the Colonel, "that I have to communicate." He kept the paper in his hand, and his colleagues waited eagerly for him to speak. To the surprise of all he rose, and, advancing to Matthew Strux, said,-- "Before communicating the intelligence conveyed in this paper, I should wish to make an observation to you." "I am ready to hear any thing you may say," said Strux, much astonished. The Colonel then said solemnly,-- "Mr. Strux, hitherto there has been between us a rivalry more personal than scientific, which has rendered our co-operation in the common cause somewhat difficult. This, I believe, is to be attributed to the fact of there being _two_ of us at the head of this expedition. To avoid antagonism, there should be only one chief to every enterprise. You agree with me, do you not?" Strux bowed in assent. The Colonel went on,-- "This position, unpleasant for each of us, must, through recent circumstances, now be changed. First, sir, let me say that I esteem you highly, as your position in the scientific world demands. I beg you to believe that I regret all that has passed between us." These words were uttered with great dignity, even with pride. There was no humiliation in the voluntary apology, so nobly expressed, and neither Strux nor his colleagues could guess his motive. Perhaps the Russian, not having the same incentive, was not equally disposed to forget any personal resentment. However, mastering his ill-feeling, he replied,-- "With you, Colonel, I think that no rivalry on our part should be permitted to injure the scientific work with which we are entrusted. I likewise hold _you_ in the esteem that your talents deserve, and in future I will do all in my power to efface any personality from our relations. But you spoke of a change; I do not understand----"