342 THE WORLD'S WONDERS. 



it as a terrier does a rat. Others dashed at the prey, each with 

 his powerful tail churning the water into froth as he furiously 

 tore off a piece. In a few seconds it was all gone. The sight 

 was fearful to behold." 



So numerous were the reptiles that Livingstone counted sixty- 

 seven lying on a single bank. One of the men, reaching down 

 to dip up a cup of water, was seized, but fortunately he grasped 

 a tree branch and held fast, while the ferocious reptile tugged 

 desperately to drag him into the water. The crocodile did not 

 release its hold until it had terribly gashed and lacerated the 

 man's hand. 



The little steamer was taken by water within thirty-five miles 

 of Lake Nyassa, and there she was taken apart, having been 

 constructed in sections so as to be portable. It was neces- 

 sary, however, to cut a road through the intervening forests, 

 which required great labor and patience, so many trees having to 

 be felled and stones removed. The object of placing this boat 

 on the lake was to use her as a corvette in breaking up the slave- 

 trade, and carrying ivory, and in opening up a commercial route 

 to the sea by way of the Rovuma river. The vessel was carted 

 half the distance, when Dr. Kirk and Charles Livingstone became 

 so ill from dysentery that they were compelled to abandon the 

 expedition and return to England ; Dr. Livingstone was also 

 attacked and reduced to a mere skeleton. In addition to these 

 troubles, the lack of food was seriously felt, and a number of the 

 carriers deserted. Against all these annoyances Livingstone 

 struggled, but he found, as the road became more difficult, that 

 it would be impossible to convey the boat to the lake, and rather 

 than lose her by the desertion of his carriers, he had the vessel 

 carried back and floated in the Shire. 



He could not endure the idea of returning without seeing more 



D O 



of the lake, and he therefore left a dozen of the party in charge 

 of the vessel while, with twice as many more, he went on to the 

 lake and followed its banks until within sight of the head waters, 

 which were very shallow. He noted many small streams on the 

 left bank flowing into the lake, but no considerable river. He 

 "mained in the vicinity. 



