CONTINUED STCKNESS. 251 



myself again on a good English couch, after six months' 

 sleeping on the ground. I was soon asleep ; and Mr. Ga- 

 briel, coming in almost immediately, rejoiced at the sound- 

 ness of my repose. 



CBAPTEE XX. 



DR. LIVINGSTONE COMMENCES HIS GREAT JOURNEY ACROSS 

 AFRICA. 



In the hope that a short enjoyment of Mr. Gabriel's 

 generous hospitality would restore me to my wonted vigor, 

 I continued under his roof; but, my complaint having been 

 caused by long exposure to malarious influences, I became 

 much more reduced than ever, even while enjoying rest. 

 Several Portuguese gentlemen called on me shortly after 

 my arrival; and the Bishop of Angola, the Eight Eeverend 

 Joaquim Moreira Eeis, then the acting governor of the 

 province, sent his secretary to do the same, and likewise to 

 offer the services of the Government physician. 



Some of her majesty's cruisers soon came into the port, 

 and, seeing the emaciated condition to which I was re- 

 duced, offered to convey me to St. Helena or homeward ; 

 but, though I had reached the coast, I had found that, in 

 consequence of the great amount of forest, rivers, and 

 marsh, there was no possibility of a highway for wagons, 

 and I had brought a party of Sekeletu's people with me, 

 and found the tribes near the Portuguese settlement so very 

 unfriendly that it would be altogether impossible for my 

 men to return alone. I therefore resolved to decline the 

 tempting offers of my naval friends, and take back my Mako- 

 lolo companions to their chief, with a view of trying to 

 make a path from his country to the east coast bj means 

 of the great river Zambesi or Leeambye. 



I, however, gladly availed myself of the medical assist- 



