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
_7th July, 1871._--I was annoyed by a woman frequently beating a slave
near my house, but on my reproving her she came and apologized. I told
her to speak softly to her slave, as she was now the only mother the
girl had; the slave came from beyond Lomamé, and was evidently a lady in
her own land; she calls her son Mologwé, or chief, because his father
was a headman.
Dugumbé advised my explaining my plan of procedure to the slaves, and he
evidently thinks that I wish to carry it towards them with a high hand.
I did explain all the exploration I intended to do: for instance, the
fountains of Herodotus--beyond Katanga--Katanga itself, and the
underground dwellings, and then return. They made no remarks, for they
are evidently pleased to have me knuckling down to them; when pressed on
the point of proceeding, they say they will only go with Dugumbé's men
to the Lomamé, and then return. River fallen three inches since the 5th.
_10th July, 1871._--Manyuema children do not creep, as European children
do, on their knees, but begin by putting forward one foot and using one
knee. Generally a Manyuema child uses both feet and both hands, but
never both knees: one Arab child did the same; he never crept, but got
up on both feet, holding on till he could walk.
New moon last night of seventh Arab month.
_11th July, 1871._--I bought the different species of fish brought to
market, in order to sketch eight of them, and compare them with those of
the Nile lower down: most are the same as in Nyassa. A very active
species of Glanis, of dark olive-brown, was not sketched, but a spotted
one, armed with offensive spikes in the dorsal and pectoral fins, was
taken. Sesamum seed is abundant just now and cakes are made of
ground-nuts, as on the West Coast. Dugumbé's horde tried to deal in the
market in a domineering way. "I shall buy that," said one. "These are
mine," said another; "no one must touch them but me," but the
market-women taught them that they could not monopolize, but deal
fairly. They are certainly clever traders, and keep each other in
countenance, they stand by each other, and will not allow overreaching,
and they give food astonishingly cheap: once in the market they have no
fear.
_12th and 13th July 1871._--The Banian slaves declared before Dugumbé
that they would go to the River Lomamé, but no further: he spoke long to
them, but they will not consent to go further. When told that they would
thereby lose all their pay, they replied, "Yes, but not our lives," and
they walked off from him muttering, which is insulting to one of his
rank. I then added, "I have goods at Ujiji; I don't know how many, but
they are considerable, take them all, and give me men to finish my work;
if not enough, I will add to them, only do not let me be forced to
return now I am so near the end of my undertaking." He said he would
make a plan in conjunction with his associates, and report to me.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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