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One day Asmani, who was now chief of Livingstone's caravan, the other having died of small-pox, two or three days before, brought out a tent to the veranda where, I was sitting writing, and shewed me a packet of letters, which to my surprise was marked: "To Dr. Livingstone, " Ujiji, "November 1st, 1870. " Registered letters."
But, during Susi's absence, the news had been conveyed to the Doctor that it was surely a white man that was coming, whose guns were firing, and whose flag could be seen; and the great Arab magnates of Ujiji Mohammed bin Sali, Sayd bin Majid, Abid bin Suliman, Mohammed bin Gharib, and others had gathered together before the Doctor's house, and the Doctor had come out from his veranda to discuss the matter and await my arrival.
The chief of the caravan brought Stanley a package of letters directed to Dr Livingstone at Ujiji, when, to his surprise, he found that it was marked outside: "November 1st, 1871." What a cruel delay was this! After his long journey, Stanley was now laid completely prostrate, and for two weeks was perfectly senseless. The unhappy Shaw was also again taken ill.
I notice the graceful palms, neat plots, green with vegetable plants, and small villages surrounded with frail fences of the matete-cane. We push on rapidly, lest the news of our coming might reach the people of Ujiji before we come in sight, and are ready for them. We halt at a little brook, then ascend the long slope of a naked ridge, the very last of the myriads we have crossed.
"In no part of Africa have they seen such splendid vegetation as covers this basin from the mountain-tops to the shores." On returning to Ujiji, Speke wished to make a further survey of the lake, but was overruled by Captain Burton, who considered that their means were running short; indeed, had not an Arab merchant arrived, bringing supplies, they would have been placed in an awkward position.
A donkey frightens a leopard Sublime scenes in Kawendi, Starvation imminent. Amenities of travel in Africa. Black-mailers. The stormy children of Uhha. News of a white man. Energetic marches Mionvu, chief of tribute-takers. An escape at midnight. Toiling through the jungles. The Lake Mountains. First view of the Tanganika. Arrival at Ujiji, The happy meeting with Livingstone.
It is often muddy, and many rivulets are to be crossed. Mohamad is naturally anxious to stay a little while with his son, for it is a wet season, and the mud is disagreeable to travel over: it is said to be worse near Ujiji: he cooks small delicacies for me with the little he has, and tries to make me comfortable. Vinegar is made from bananas, and oil from ground-nuts.
Since coming to Casembe's the testimony of natives and Arabs has been so united and consistent, that I am but ten days from Lake Bemba, or Bangweolo, that I cannot doubt its accuracy. I am so tired of exploration without a word from home or anywhere else for two years, that I must go to Ujiji on Tanganyika for letters before doing anything else.
The cotton-plant is as fine here as at Unyanyembe or Ujiji, and anything would grow with only the trouble of throwing down the seed. It is a great pity that the country is not in better hands.
Good-night; only let one day come again, and we shall see what we shall see. November 10th. Friday. The 236th day from Bagamoyo on the Sea, and the 51st day from Unyanyembe. General direction to Ujiji, west-by-south. Time of march, six hours. It is a happy, glorious morning. The air is fresh and cool. The sky lovingly smiles on the earth and her children.
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