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
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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
The question whether a Bishop, in the event of his flock being torn from
his bosom, may make war to rescue them, requires serious consideration.
It seems to narrow itself into whether a Christian man may lawfully use
the civil power or the sword at all in defensive war, as police or
otherwise. We would do almost anything to avoid a collision with
degraded natives; but in case of an invasion--our blood boils at the very
thought of our wives, daughters, or sisters being touched--we, as men
with human feelings, would unhesitatingly fight to the death, with all
the fury in our power.
The good Bishop was as intensely averse to using arms, before he met the
slave-hunters, as any man in England. In the course he pursued he may
have made a mistake, but it is a mistake which very few Englishmen on
meeting bands of helpless captives, or members of his family in bonds,
would have failed to commit likewise.
During unhealthy April, the fever was more severe in Shupanga and Mazaro
than usual. We had several cases on board--they were quickly cured, but,
from our being in the delta, as quickly returned. About the middle of
the month Mrs. Livingstone was prostrated by this disease; and it was
accompanied by obstinate vomiting. Nothing is yet known that can allay
this distressing symptom, which of course renders medicine of no avail,
as it is instantly rejected. She received whatever medical aid could be
rendered from Dr. Kirk, but became unconscious, and her eyes were closed
in the sleep of death as the sunset on the evening of the Christian
Sabbath, the 27th April, 1862. A coffin was made during the night, a
grave was dug next day under the branches of the great baobab-tree, and
with sympathizing hearts the little band of his countrymen assisted the
bereaved husband in burying his dead. At his request, the Rev. James
Stewart read the burial-service; and the seamen kindly volunteered to
mount guard for some nights at the spot where her body rests in hope.
Those who are not aware how this brave, good, English wife made a
delightful home at Kolobeng, a thousand miles inland from the Cape, and
as the daughter of Moffat and a Christian lady exercised most beneficial
influence over the rude tribes of the interior, may wonder that she
should have braved the dangers and toils of this down-trodden land. She
knew them all, and, in the disinterested and dutiful attempt to renew her
labours, was called to her rest instead. "_Fiat, Domine, voluntas tua_!"
On the 5th of May Dr. Kirk and Charles Livingstone started in the boat
for Tette, in order to see the property of the Expedition brought down in
canoes. They took four Mazaro canoe-men to manage the boat, and a white
sailor to cook for them; but, unfortunately, he caught fever the very day
after leaving the ship, and was ill most of the trip; so they had to cook
for themselves, and to take care of him besides.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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