1841-43.] FIRST TWO YEARS IN AFRICA. 59 



hunters : one of them from the West Indies, and two 

 from India — Mr. Pringle from Tinnevelly, and Captain 

 Steele of the Coldstream Guards, aide-de-camp to the 

 Governor of Madras. . . . The Captain is the politest of 

 the whole, well versed in the classics, and possessed of 

 much general knowledge." Captain Steele, now General 

 Sir Thomas Steele, proved one of Livingstone's best and 

 most constant friends. In one respect the society of 

 gentlemen who came to hunt would not have been sought 

 by Livingstone, their aims and pursuits being so different 

 from his ; but he got on with them wonderfully. In 

 some instances these strangers were thoroughly sym- 

 pathetic, but not in all. When they were not sympa- 

 thetic on religion, he had a strong conviction that his 

 first duty as a servant of Christ was to commend his 

 religion by his life and spirit — by integrity, civility, 

 kindness, and constant readiness to deny himself in 

 obliging others ; having thus secured their esteem and 

 confidence, he would take such quiet opportunities as 

 presented themselves to get near their consciences on his 

 Master's behalf. He took care that there should be no 

 moving about on the day of rest, and that the outward 

 demeanour of all should be befitting a Christian com- 

 pany. For himself, while he abhorred the indiscriminate 

 slaughter of animals for mere slaughter's sake, he thought 

 well of the chase as a means of developing courage, 

 promptness of action in time of danger, protracted en- 

 durance of hunger and thirst, determination in the 

 pursuit of an object, and other qualities befitting brave 

 and powerful men. The respect and affection with which 

 he inspired the gentlemen who were thus associated with 

 him was very remarkable. Doubtless, with his quick 

 apprehension, he learned a good deal from their society 

 of the ways and feelings of a class with whom hitherto he 

 had hardly ever been in contact. The large resources 

 with which they were furnished, in contrast to his own, 



