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
proceeded north. In an hour Dr. Livingstone and his party struck inland,
on approaching the foot of the mountains which rise abruptly from the
lake. Supposing that they had heard of a path behind the high range
which there forms the shore, those in the boat held on their course; but
it soon began to blow so fresh that they had to run ashore for safety.
While delayed a couple of hours, two men were sent up the hills to look
for the land party, but they could see nothing of them, and the boat
party sailed as soon as it was safe to put to sea, with the conviction
that the missing ones would regain the lake in front.
In a short time a small island or mass of rocks was passed, on which were
a number of armed Mazitu with some young women, apparently their wives.
The headman said that he had been wounded in the foot by Mankambira, and
that they were staying there till he could walk to his chief, who lived
over the hills. They had several large canoes, and it was evident that
this was a nest of lake pirates, who sallied out by night to kill and
plunder. They reported a path behind the hills, and, the crew being
reassured, the boat sailed on. A few miles further, another and still
larger band of pirates were fallen in with, and hundreds of crows and
kites hovered over and round the rocks on which they lived. Dr. Kirk and
Charles Livingstone, though ordered in a voice of authority to come
ashore, kept on their course. A number of canoes then shot out from the
rocks and chased them. One with nine strong paddlers persevered for some
time after all the others gave up the chase. A good breeze, however,
enabled the gig to get away from them with ease. After sailing twelve or
fifteen miles, north of the point where Dr. Livingstone had left them, it
was decided that he must be behind; but no sooner had the boat's head
been turned south, than another gale compelled her to seek shelter in a
bay. Here a number of wretched fugitives from the slave-trade on the
opposite shore of the lake were found; the original inhabitants of the
place had all been swept off the year before by the Mazitu. In the
deserted gardens beautiful cotton was seen growing, much of it had the
staple an inch and a half long, and of very fine quality. Some of the
plants were uncommonly large, deserving to be ranked with trees.
On their trying to purchase food, the natives had nothing to sell except
a little dried cassava-root, and a few fish: and they demanded two yards
of calico for the head only of a large fish. When the gale admitted of
their return, their former pursuers tried to draw them ashore by
asserting that they had quantities of ivory for sale. Owing to a
succession of gales, it was the fourth day from parting that the boat was
found by Dr. Livingstone, who was coming on in search of it with only two
of his companions.
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