218 



LIVINGSTONE'S LAST JOURNEY. 



often barely legible, he pressed on, now wading through the water, 

 now carried on the shoulders of one or another of his men. 



The following extract from the Journal, dated January 24th, 

 will serve to give some notion of the kind of work done in the last 

 few stages of this terrible journey: — "Went on east and north-east 

 to avoid the deep part of a large river, which requires two canoes, 

 but the men sent by the chief would certainly hide them. Went an 

 hour-and-three-quarters' journey to a large stream through driz- 

 zling rain, at least 300 yards of deep water, amongst sedges and 

 sponges of 100 yards. One part was neck deep for fifty 3^ards, and 



SPONGE. 



LIVINGSTONE AND HIS MEN CROSSING A 



the water was cold. We plunged in elephant's footprints one and 

 a half hours, then came in one hour to a small rivulet ten feet 

 broad, but waist deep, bridge covered and broken down. 



"Carrying me across one of the deep sedgy rivers is really a 

 very difficult task; one we crossed was at least 1,000 feet broad, or 

 more than 300 yards. The first part the main stream came up to 

 Susi's mouth. One held up my pistol behind, then one after another 



