The Last Journals of David Livingstone, in Central Africa, from 1865 to His Death, Volume II (of 2), 1869-1873: Continued By A Narrative Of His Last Moments And Sufferings, Obtained From His Faithful Servants Chuma And SusiLivingstone, David
History
The Last Journals of David Livingstone, in Central Africa, from 1865 to His Death, Volume II (of 2), 1869-1873: Continued By A Narrative Of His Last Moments And Sufferings, Obtained From His Faithful Servants Chuma And Susi
Livingstone, David
Africa, Central -- Description and travel
_12th October, 1872._--We wait till 2 P.M., and then make a forced march
towards Fipa. The people cultivate but little, for fear of enemies; so
we can buy few provisions. We left a broad valley with a sand river in
it, where we have been two days, and climbed a range of hills parallel
to Tanganyika, of mica schist and gneiss, tilted away from the Lake. We
met a buffalo on the top of one ridge, it was shot into and lay down,
but we lost it. Course S.W. to brink of Tanganyika water.
_13th October, 1872._--Our course went along the top of a range of hills
lying parallel with the Lake. A great part of yesterday was on the same
range. It is a thousand feet above the water, and is covered with trees
rather scraggy. At sunset the red glare on the surface made the water
look like a sea of reddish gold; it seemed so near that many went off to
drink, but were three or four hours in doing so. One cannot see the
other side on account of the smokes in the air, but this morning three
capes jut out, and the last bearing S.E. from our camp seems to go near
the other side. Very hot weather. To the town of Fipa to-morrow. Course
about S. Though we suffer much from the heat by travelling at this
season, we escape a vast number of running and often muddy rills, also
muddy paths which would soon knock the donkey up. A milk-and-water sky
portends rain. Tipo Tipo is reported to be carrying it with a high hand
in Nsama's country, Itawa, insisting that all the ivory must be brought
as his tribute--the conqueror of Nsama. Our drum is the greatest object
of curiosity we have to the Banyamwezi. A very great deal of cotton is
cultivated all along the shores of Lake Tanganyika; it is the Pernambuco
kind, with the seeds clinging together, but of good and long fibre, and
the trees are left standing all the year to enable them to become large;
grain and ground-nuts are cultivated between them. The cotton is
manufactured into coarse cloth, which is the general clothing of all.
_14th October, 1872._--Crossed two deep gullies with sluggish water in
them, and one surrounding an old stockade. Camp on a knoll, overlooking
modern stockade and Tanganyika very pleasantly. Saw two beautiful
sultanas with azure blue necks. We might have come here yesterday, but
were too tired. Mukembé land is ruled by chief Kariaria; village,
Mokaria. Mount M'Pumbwé goes into the Lake. N'Tambwé Mount; village,
Kafumfwé. Kapufi is the chief of Fipa.
Noon, and about fifty feet above Lake; clouded over. Temperature 91°
noon; 94° 3 P.M.
_15th October, 1872._--Rest, and kill an ox. The dry heat is
distressing, and all feel it sorely. I am right glad of the rest, but
keep on as constantly as I can. By giving dura and maize to the donkeys,
and riding on alternate days, they hold on; but I feel the sun more than
if walking. The chief Kariaria is civil.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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