viewed with such disgust the horse which he was obliged to lead
about as Mr. Burke must have regarded his camels. When to this it
is added that the leader observed various intrigues carried on, we
cannot wonder that he determined to come to an open rupture before
Mr. Landells and the camels had completely disorganized the
expedition. "Whereupon it came out," writes Mr. Wills, "that Mr.
Landells has been playing a fine game, trying to set us all
together by the ears. There is scarcely a man in the party whom he
has not urged Mr. Burke to dismiss." Under such a state of things,
the leader of the expedition must have been painfully aware that
his party was in no fit state of organization to enter on a most
perilous undertaking, and that while such continued, both he and
his men were going to inevitable destruction. If his conduct
appeared to Mr. Landells restless and uncertain, we may wonder how,
under the circumstances, it could be otherwise. We find it
impossible to believe that the Exploring Committee of the Royal
Society could have secretly informed Mr. Landells that he held
independent command, for such a thing would be a burlesque on
discipline. He claims the sole management of the camels; and
perhaps the committee may have defined his duty as such. But so
also has a private soldier the sole management of his musket, but
it is under the directions of his officer. Profound as may be Mr.
Landells' knowledge of camels, it would be worse than useless
unless subject to the direction of his commanding officer.

. . .

Mr. Burke, on the resignation of Mr. Landells, immediately
promoted my son to the post he had vacated, which appointment the
committee confirmed. Here there was perfect union and reciprocal