438 DEATH OF MRS. LIVINGSTONE. CHAP. XX. 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 sun set on the evening of the Christian Sabbath, the 27th of 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 labors, was called to her rest instead. "Fiat, Domine, voluntas tua!" CHAP. XXI. START FOR TETTE. 441 CHAPTER XXI. Dr. Kirk and Charles Livingstone proceed to Tette.-Belchior's Wars.-Governor Almeida's praiseworthy Interdict.-Connivance of the Governor General at the Slave-trade.-Masters and Slaves.-No love lost.-Launch of the Lady Nyassa.-Native Speculations on the Buoyancy of Iron.-Freedom of Discussion on certain Subjects.-Birds at Play.-Our new Quarter-master. -Start of the Lady Nyassa deferred.-Portuguese "prohibitive" permission for Trading.-Up the Rovuma in Boats.-Inhabitants.-Mats.-Tsetse. Zigzag Channel.—A queer Fish.-Canoe Rivalry.-The Englishman in Africa. An old Lady opens the Market. -Men with Pelele.-Mabiha.-Makoa.-Slave Route to Kilwa.-Life on a Sand-bank.-Unprovoked Hostility. - Hives and Honey. - Coal found. A jolly young Waterwoman. — Our Progress stopped by rocky Narrows.-Sources of the Rovuma.-Crocodiles. —Their Eggs.—Hunting the Senze.—Back again to the Pioneer. 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. The natives behaved remarkably well, and were very cleanly in their habits, bathing every day after sunset, although the weather was rather chilly. If a little food was given to one, according almost to universal custom he shared it with the others, although often there was not more than a mouthful for each. They preferred punting to paddling, and chose, in going up the river, the parts that had from two to four feet of water, instead of the deep channel where the current is strong. They kept admirable time with their poles, raising them, bringing them down, pushing, and giving the final shove all at the same instant. The helm had hardly to be 442 CANOE-MEN'S SONG. CHAP. XXI. touched at all, so well did they keep the boat on her course. Many of their canoe songs are very fine; some are peculiarly plaintive, like the one which appears to be a lament over a dying chief. There being but little wind during the first day, the sail could not be used; but toward sunset a pleasant breeze sprang up, and sail was set. The canoe-men were of course much pleased to see the boat moving on without their exertions. The Makololo of our first party always maintained that a sailing-boat was the perfection of navigation—it was vastly superior to a steamer, because no wood had to be cut --and you had merely to sit still, and let the wind drive you along. After dark the wind increased, the boat swept swiftly through the water; the men, who are of an excitable temperament, felt the influence, and began an extemporary and very energetic song. As the breeze freshened, the boat dashed through the waves; then, wild with excitement, the men sprang to their feet, and sang still louder, gesticulating with might and main. Suddenly the career of song ceased-the singers were sprawling on their backs-the boat was on a sand-bank. On an island opposite Shiramba the party found a large number of fugitive Manganja, who had fled from the war on the main land. A man banished from Portugal, called Belchior, who had married a sister of the half-caste chief below Tette, and had settled near Lupata, was encamped on an island in Shigogo. They were challenged as they sailed past it after dark. The fife and drums called to arms. "The English! the English!" our men answered, and no molestation ensued. Chibisa, he told them, had sent an insulting message to him, so he attacked him, and, with seventy men armed with muskets, drove him from his principal village near the Zambesi, and burned it. Even private persons imitate mili |