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

Prior to this section, Millard illustrated The Importance of Courage in how Burton courageously overcame numerous dangers and difficulties throughout his travels in East Africa. He survived countless illnesses, dangerous expeditions, and bouts of depression, continuing his adventures through it all. Nevertheless, the greatest difficulty of all, Speke’s betrayal, seems to have crushed Burton’s spirits. After seeing Burton in person for the first time in years, one of Burton’s cousins remarked that the betrayal had not only made Burton ill and depressed but broke his heart. His cousin suggests that “so affectionate a nature could not fail to keenly feel the complete severance of a long friendship” (201). While there were numerous warning signs that Speke was growing increasingly resentful of Burton, Burton did not realize the true depth of these feelings. When Speke finally presented them publicly, Burton could not handle the shock, anger, and disappointment.

Speke’s betrayal also permanently hardened Burton’s heart toward Speke. In Burton’s response to Speke after Speke asked for a reconciliation, Burton wrote, “Sir, I have received your note of the 16th April […] with regard to the question of debts I have no objection to make. I cannot however accept your offer concerning me corresponding less coldly—any other tone would be extremely distasteful to me” (209-10). Burton did not sign the letter. While it is understandable that Burton chose to not accept Speke’s apology, his words revealed a new harshness uncharacteristic of him. Millard suggests that Burton allowed his anger and resentment to not only twist him into a person he was not, but to also control him, just as these emotions had done to Speke. This inflexibility and festering resentment also speak to The Dangers of Obsession, Arrogance, and Ignorance between the two men.

Millard also demonstrates the clear differences in leadership styles between Burton and Speke. When Burton prepped for expeditions, he spent time learning about the cultures and languages and ensuring his expedition team had complementary skills. In contrast, Speke primarily cared about loyalty. He did not want someone to usurp him as commander as he had done to Burton. Speke also did not consider the resources his team would need, in contrast to Burton. Speke assumed that Petherick obtained the necessary funding he needed to meet Speke in Gondokoro. Speke left for Zanzibar without checking in with Petherick. Had he done so, Speke would have realized that Petherick struggled to gain support from the British government and the Royal Geographic Society.