But the most important consideration is time.

He must not wait for men from elsewhere, but must pick up as many as he can in Loango and on the way up to Msala.

I reckon that we can hold out for four months without outside assistance, but after that period we shall be forced to surrender or to try and cut our way through WITHOUT the Simiacine.

With a larger force we could beat back the tribes, and establish our hold on the Plateau by force of arms.

This must be forwarded to Mr.Durnovo at once, wherever he is.