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.