1854-56.] FROM LOANDA TO QUILIMANE. 193 



banks of the Coanza. In 1815, two black traders showed 

 the possibility of communication from east to west, by 

 bringing to Loanda communications from the Governor of 

 Mozambique. Some Arabs and Moors went from the 

 East Coast to Benguela, and with a view to improve the 

 event, "a million of Reis (£142) and an honorary cap- 

 taincy in the Portuguese army was offered to any one 

 who would accompany them back — but none went." The 

 journey had several times been performed by Arabs. 



'• I do not feel so much elated," continued Dr. Livingstone, " by 

 the prospect of accomplishing this feat. I feel most thankful to God 

 for preserving my life, where so many, who by superior intelligence 

 would have done more good, have been cut off. But it does riot look 

 as if I had reached the goal. Viewed in relation to my calling, the 

 end of the geographical feat is only the beginning of the enterprise. 

 Apart from family longings, I have a most intense longing to hear 

 how it has fared with our brave men at Sebastopol. My last scrap of 

 intelligence was the Times, 17th November 1855, after the terrible 

 affair of the Light Cavalry. The news was not certain about a most 

 determined attack to force the way to Balaclava, and Sebastopol ex- 

 pected every day to fall, and I have had to repress all my longings 

 since, except in a poor prayer to prosper the cause of justice and right, 

 and cover the heads of our soldiers in the day of battle." [A few clays 

 later he heard the news.] " We are all engaged in very much the same 

 cause. Geographers, astronomers, and mechanicians, labouring to make 

 men better acquainted with each other ; sanitary reformers, prison 

 reformers, promoters of ragged schools and Niger Expeditions ; soldiers 

 fighting for right against oppression, and sailors rescuing captives in 

 deadly climes, as well as missionaries, are all aiding in hastening on 

 a glorious consummation to all God's dealings with our race. In the 

 hope that I may yet be honoured to do some good to this poor 

 long downtrodden Africa, the gentlemen over whom you have the 

 honour to preside will, I believe, cordially join." 



From Tette he went on to Senna. Again he is 

 treated with extraordinary kindness by Lieutenant 

 Miranda, and others, and again he is prostrated by an 

 attack of fever. Provided with a comfortable boat, he at 

 last reaches Quilimane on the 20th May, and is most 

 kindly received by Colonel Nunes, " one of the best 

 men in the country." Dr. Livingstone has told us in his 

 book how his joy in reaching Quilimane was embittered 



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