340 THE WORLD'S WONDERS. 



Cape, and as the daughter of Moffatt 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. 



EXPLORATION OF THE ROVUMA RIVER. 



IT was Livingstone's intention to launch a steam vessel on 

 Lake Nyassa, and he had one built for this purpose, but when 

 ready the Shire river had fallen so low that the attempt had to be 

 abandoned. Learning from some natives that the Rovuma river 

 had its source in Lake Nyassa, he determined to explore that 

 stream. So preparations were made for a final departure from 

 the Zambesi. Upon reaching the mouth of the Rovuma, they 

 found the stream too shallow to admit anything but small, flat- 

 bottomed crafts, which, fortunately, they had brought with them- 

 In three light-draught sail-boats they began an ascent of the 

 river. There was a fertile valley reaching several miles on each 

 side near the mouth, but as they proceeded inland hills arose, 

 until at several places the river ran zig-zag through a deep cut 

 which was almost like piercing a mountain. There was an utter 

 absence of game and the natives were far from friendly. While 

 passing by an island, several natives appeared armed with bows 

 and muskets and demanded toll ; a long parley ensued, in which 

 Livingstone understood that he would have to either pay toll or 

 fight; he paid the toll, thirty pieces of cloth, but had proceeded 

 less than a mile when another party attacked the boats ; bullets 

 fairly riddled the sails, but a few well-directed volleys from the 

 boats dispersed the enemy with some loss. 



The expedition ascended a distance of one hundred and fifty- 

 six miles, and then found the river so narrow and obstructed by 

 dangerous cataracts, that it was necessary to return, much to 

 their disappointment, as they had not gained any particularly 

 valuable information concerning its source. Crocodiles are scarce 

 in the Rovuma, on account of being hunted so persistently by 

 tho natives, who relish their meat as English do roast beef, while 



