344 THE WORLD'S WONDERS. 



belonged to Captain Osborne's Chinese fleet, but was no longer 

 required in that service. Dr. Livingstone was commissioned to 

 make the formal presentation, and just previous to his departure, 

 Sir Bartle Frere gave him a note to the Sultan, warmly com- 

 mending him to his Excellency and begging the favor that the 

 distinguished traveler might be assisted in making a journey into 

 Central Africa. With these advantages he set sail for Zanzibar 

 in the steamer Thule, and after a voyage of twenty-three days 

 from Bombay, landed his vessel January 23, 1866, and reported 

 to the Sultan, who was representing the Arabian government. 



Dr. Livingstone was cordially received by the Sultan, and also 

 by Dr. Seward, acting British consul at Zanzibar. The presen- 

 tation of the steamer was made according to the terms of his 

 commission, before a gathering of English officers from the 

 steamers Wasp and Vigilant, which were lying off the port, and 

 so pleased was the Sultan that he not only was ready to fulfill 

 the request of Sir Bartle Frere, but his kindness went so far as 

 to offer Livingstone a vessel, crew and provisions, and to give 

 him any protection which the Arabic arms could afford. 



A stay of nearly two months was made at Zanzibar, outfitting 

 and perfecting details for the contemplated march, Livingstone 

 being provided with a handsome house in the meantime and his 

 desires carefully attended to. On March 18th he arranged with 

 a Banian who farmed the custom-house revenue, to send a sup- 

 ply of beads, cloth, flour, tea, coffee and sugar to Ujiji, on Lake 

 Tanganika, with a man to remain in charge of the goods on their 

 arrival. Ujiji was made a principal base for supplies, and the 

 first journey was therefore directed toward that place. 



The steamer Penguin was placed at his disposal, and on March 

 19th he set sail for the Rovuma river. On the following day the 

 river was reached, where a dhow (a coasting vessel of East 

 Africa) was in waiting to receive the animals which Livingstone 

 took with him for riding and as beasts of burden ; these com- 

 prised six camels, three buffaloes and a calf, two mules and four 

 donkeys. The men in his company consisted of thirteen Sepoys, 

 ten Johanna men, nine Nassick bojs, two Shupanga men, and 



