A Popular Account of Dr. Livingstone's Expedition to the Zambesi and Its Tributaries: And of the Discovery of Lakes Shirwa and Nyassa, 1858-1864Livingstone, David
History
A Popular Account of Dr. Livingstone's Expedition to the Zambesi and Its Tributaries: And of the Discovery of Lakes Shirwa and Nyassa, 1858-1864
Livingstone, David
Africa, Central -- Description and travel; Africa, Central -- Discovery and exploration
She remained, as the doctors stipulated, in the chief's establishment,
and on full pay.
Sekeletu was told plainly that the disease was unknown in our country,
and was thought exceedingly obstinate of cure; that we did not believe in
his being bewitched, and we were willing to do all we could to help him.
This was a case for disinterested benevolence; no pay was expected, but
considerable risk incurred; yet we could not decline it, as we had the
trading in horses. Having, however, none of the medicines usually
employed in skin diseases with us, we tried the local application of
lunar caustic, and hydriodate of potash internally; and with such
gratifying results, that Mamire wished the patient to be smeared all over
with a solution of lunar caustic, which he believed to be of the same
nature as the blistering fluid formerly applied to his own knee by Mr.
Oswell. _Its_ power he considered irresistible, and he would fain have
had anything like it tried on Sekeletu.
It was a time of great scarcity and hunger, but Sekeletu treated us
hospitably, preparing tea for us at every visit we paid him. With the
tea we had excellent American biscuit and preserved fruits, which had
been brought to him all the way from Benguela. The fruits he most
relished were those preserved in their own juices; plums, apples, pears,
strawberries, and peaches, which we have seen only among Portuguese and
Spaniards. It made us anxious to plant the fruit-tree seeds we had
brought, and all were pleased with the idea of having these same fruits
in their own country.
Mokele, the headman of Sesheke, and Sebituane's sister, Manchunyane, were
ordered to provide us with food, as Sekeletu's wives, to whom this duty
properly belonged, were at Linyanti. We found a black trader from the
West Coast, and some Griqua traders from the South, both in search of
ivory. Ivory is dear at Sesheke; but cheaper in the Batoka country, from
Sinamane's to the Kafue, than anywhere else. The trader from Benguela
took orders for goods for his next year's trip, and offered to bring tea,
coffee, and sugar at cent. per cent. prices. As, in consequence of a
hint formerly given, the Makololo had secured all the ivory in the Batoga
country to the east, by purchasing it with hoes, the Benguela traders
found it unprofitable to go thither for slaves. They assured us that
without ivory the trade in slaves did not pay. In this way, and by the
orders of Sekeletu, an extensive slave-mart was closed. These orders
were never infringed except secretly. We discovered only two or three
cases of their infraction.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account