River of the Gods: Genius, Courage and Betrayal in the Search for the Source of the Nile

Speke fell ill with a debilitating illness known as “little irons” soon after leaving Kazeh to return to Zanzibar in 1858. Burton and Bombay both stayed by his side because of Speke’s immense suffering. Speke fell into a state of delirium. During these episodes, he finally let out all the grievances he had toward Burton, including what happened between the two men the night of the attack in Somaliland. Burton was shocked by Speke’s bitterness and resentment. As Speke began to recover, he did not realize he told Burton all his grievances.

After nearly two years, the men finally returned to Zanzibar, which was facing a cholera epidemic and political turmoil. Rigby still resented Burton. In contrast, Rigby and Speke became friends, partly due to the fact that both felt aggrieved by Burton. Rigby listened to Speke’s rants about Burton. Rigby also fed Speke’s single biggest fear that Burton would steal his discovery of the White Nile source.

Burton was forced to ask Rigby to honor Hamerton’s commitment to paying his men. Unsurprisingly, Rigby refused. Burton had already used some of his own money to pay for the expedition. He did not have any money left to compensate the men. Burton, in fact, did not think the men deserved compensation. Burton felt they had performed poorly, allowing donkeys and other men to escape and the expedition’s goods to be stolen. Bombay received his payment, but the rest of the men received nothing. Speke did not try to help Burton find money for the men.

Burton and Speke decided to return to Aden shortly after arriving in Zanzibar. Burton remained ill. One of Burton’s friends encouraged him to stay in Aden to recover his health. Speke left for England without Burton, where he was reunited with his friend Oliphant on the ship. Burton and Speke appeared to part amicably. Burton recounted how Speke said he would not go to the Royal Geographic Society about their expedition until Burton returned to England. Burton wrote to the Society about Nyanza. He began to consider that this lake rather than Tanganyika might be the White Nile’s source.

Speke’s amicable feelings toward Burton changed on the ship as he complained to Oliphant about Burton. Similar to Rigby, Oliphant’s jealousy of Burton had long ago morphed into resentment. Oliphant encouraged Speke to immediately go to the Royal Geographic Society to ask about leading an expedition to Nyanza. Oliphant believed Burton would try and take this opportunity from Speke.