iS 4 i-43-] FIRST TWO YEARS IN AFRICA. 49 



people might grow corn, etc. Sebehwe, like many of the 

 other people of the country, had the notion that if he 

 got a single white man to live with him, he would be 

 quite secure. It was no wonder that Livingstone early 

 acquired the strong conviction that if missions could 

 only be scattered over Africa, their immediate effect in 

 promoting the tranquillity of the continent could hardly 

 be over-estimated. 



We have given these details somewhat fully, because 

 they show that before he had been a year in the country 

 Livingstone had learned how to rule the Africans. From 

 the very first, his genial address, simple and fearless 

 manner, and transparent kindliness formed a spell which 

 rarely failed. He had great faith in the power of humour. 

 He was never afraid of a man who had a hearty laugh. 

 By a playful way of dealing with the people, he made 

 them feel at ease with him, and afterwards he could be 

 solemn enough when the occasion required. His medical 

 knowledge helped him greatly ; but for permanent in- 

 fluence all would have been in vain if he had not uniformly 

 observed the rules of justice, good feeling, and good 

 manners. Often he would say that the true road to 

 influence was patient continuance in well-doing. It is 

 remarkable that, from the very first, he should have seen 

 the charm of that method which he employed so success- 

 fully to the end. 



In the course of this journey, Livingstone was within 

 ten days of Lake 'Ngami, the lake of which he had heard 

 at the Cape, and which he actually discovered in 1849 ; 

 and he might have discovered it now, had discovery 

 alone been his object. Part of his journey was performed 

 on foot, in consequence of the draught oxen having be- 

 come sick : — 



" Some of my companions," he says in his first book, " who had 

 recently joined us, and did not know that I understood a little of their 

 speech, were overheard by me discussing my appearance and powers : 



D 



